Racism in the NW (Kalispell, Whitefish: fit in, legally, trailer)

[AsForMeAndMyHouse]

Okay, so what's the scoop? In the Whitefish to Eureka corridor, on a 1-10 scale, what's the racism level? (1 being non-existent and 10 being the KKK). Is there any hatred toward Hispanics or Blacks?

[grizzfan]

You must realize that in Montana African-Americans and Hispanics are present in very small numbers and a very few white folks might be startled to see them here.

I'd give it a 4.5.

[mtdave2]

i have found that people who are concerned about racism usualy find it. otherwise i have never seen much racism in montana. a little bit against native americans, but nothing major. just ACT normal and you will be treated normal, no matter your color.

[jimj]

Depends on the attitude we're presented with. Good attitude probably a 1, a bad you owe me because your forefathers did xxx to us or pushy/rude attitude it can get to a 10 real quick like.
I've not seen a "hatred" as such but a waryness some of the time. You have to understand that I know people who've never talked to anyone other than an amercian indian, have never seen a burka, very few asians and fewer mexicans or blacks.

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by AsForMeAndMyHouse

Okay, so what's the scoop? In the Whitefish to Eureka corridor, on a 1-10 scale, what's the racism level? (1 being non-existent and 10 being the KKK). Is there any hatred toward Hispanics or Blacks?

This sounds like a loaded question to me.

[AsForMeAndMyHouse]

Originally Posted by jimj

Depends on the attitude we're presented with. Good attitude probably a 1, a bad you owe me because your forefathers did xxx to us or pushy/rude attitude it can get to a 10 real quick like.
I've not seen a "hatred" as such but a waryness some of the time. You have to understand that I know people who've never talked to anyone other than an amercian indian, have never seen a burka, very few asians and fewer mexicans or blacks.

Yeah, that makes sense. I've been to areas (KY, TN, etc.) where the Realtors have even told me (illegally), "as long as you ain't black or stupid Mexican, you'll fit in fine."

But from what I've seen in the Kalispell, Whitfish, Eureka area everyone seems to be totally cool as long as you "ain't act'n stupid" (as opposed to BEING black or Mexican).

If you're acting stupid and you're black, then you might have an issue. If your Mexican and you're causing problems, then you'll have problems. If you're white and your acting stupid you'll have problems. But if your green, white, black, brown and you're just a normal, decent person, everything's fine. Is that a fair conclusion?

[jimj]

Originally Posted by AsForMeAndMyHouse

Yeah, that makes sense. I've been to areas (KY, TN, etc.) where the Realtors have even told me (illegally), "as long as you ain't black or stupid Mexican, you'll fit in fine."

But from what I've seen in the Kalispell, Whitfish, Eureka area everyone seems to be totally cool as long as you "ain't act'n stupid" (as opposed to BEING black or Mexican).

If you're acting stupid and you're black, then you might have an issue. If your Mexican and you're causing problems, then you'll have problems. If you're white and your acting stupid you'll have problems. But if your green, white, black, brown and you're just a normal, decent person, everything's fine. Is that a fair conclusion?

Pretty much... Don't get me wrong, we have some remenants of militia groups and there's a radio station in South Kalipell that tends to stir some of the more seperatist people up and as everywhere there's racist people but they are not the norm from what I've seen so far.

[Reziac]

The closest to racism I ever saw in MT was when I was admiring the fine voice of some black singer on TV (this was in a public lounge at MSU) and a black student I happened to be sitting next to informed me "Most black people sing" like it was something no one else did. I didn't quite know how to answer that statement, and that was the end of the conversation! (Tho I was thinking, "If they all sing like that gal on the TV, that's a good thing!!")

But it's like the other posters say... If you're looking for trouble (be that racism or something else), you'll find it. And if you're Busy Being Whatever, ie. passive-aggressive or with a chip on your shoulder, then you'll encounter what you earn... doesn't matter if the Busy Being is Some Other Race or a Cigar Smoker or Trailer Trash or whatever, if you get into people's faces with it, or expect them to give you special consideration because of it, they won't like you.

But if you're just YOU, a regular person, no one will give two flips about your race -- might be regarded as interesting or novel or "where y'all from? what's it like there??", but not as any sort of negative.

There will always be rabble-rousers and morons who need someone else or some group to blame, and you can't truly have free speech unless crazy-stupid speech and "hate speech" are equally as protected as normal sane speech. But we don't have to validate their point of view by taking them seriously. Let 'em rant, we've got better things to do.

[Californiarefugee]

honestly, people dont say much about it, but if you bring it up, about 80% of the population is very racially conscious.

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by Californiarefugee

honestly, people dont say much about it, but if you bring it up, about 80% of the population is very racially conscious.

Mainly because people like Jesse Jackson keep shoving it in our faces and rubbing our noses in it. Lay off about how "different" or "downtrodden" your race is, and most people won't pay race any attention, and will regard colour as nothing more than a description, no more interesting than if you're wearing a green hat. Probably less interesting than if you dyed your hair green.

Recommended reading: Larry Elder's book Stupid Black Men, or how to play the race card -- and lose (Larry Elder himself is black, but doesn't believe in victimhood, however politically correct it may be. And if he ran for President, he'd have my vote!!) An excellent review: Human Events Book Service: Stupid Black Men by Larry Elder