Racism in NEPA---A Growing Epidemic. When Will it End? (Allentown: high school, college)

[Summering]

It was very sad to see this young man hooked up to all kinds of equiptment........they showed a hospital picture.
Our SIL is Spanish, born in the USA.........I've known him for probably 15 years.
He is the kindest person one could be in a room with, a good father, husband, and a fantastic friend......Just the cream of the crop.........Tops with me
This is a crime that needs immediate attention.......No one should hurt anybody of any race. Where is their heart and soul.

[61scout80]

While this story is indeed disgusting, I must say that judging from my great grand parents, grand parents and parents stories the racism is calming over the years. While NEPA may not be as progressive as some wish it to be, it is slowly progressing in the right direction.

[The Commish]

Originally Posted by 61scout80

While NEPA may not be as progressive as some wish it to be, it is slowly progressing in the right direction.

Slowly indeed.

We're getting more Hispanic immigrants, but the demographics haven't budged all that much overall. Appalachia is still overwhelmingly white (with the limited exception of cities with at least 15-30% minorities like Pittsburgh, Huntsville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, etc.)

[CosmicWizard]

Unfortunately this narrow minded thinking goes on just about everywhere in the country. It is not limited to NEPA only. It's been quite few years since I've lived in PA, so my impression might be out of date, but I've always seen PA as one of the most change-resistant states in the USA. Attitudes seem to change very slowly if at all. Of course I'm generalizing and not everyone in PA is resistant to change.

Like you Paul, I was a progressive thinker at an early age. My way of looking at the world was at odds with just about everyone in my immediate envioronment. Not having the great communication skills and persuasive ability that you possess, I simply couldn't handle living there, so I chose to leave PA on my 18th birthday. I've spent little time there during the past 41 years, the most recent being a 3 year stint from '87 to '90. My last visit was in the summer of 2006. Other than a few more houses dotting the landscape ( Boyertown area, which gets a pretty bad rap when it come to racial issues ) and more traffic, nothing seemed to have changed. Everyone was 16 years older with most of the same attitudes they had 16 years ago.

Having read many of your threads, I see your desire to serve as an agent of positive change. I also notice that you frequently get upset in one way or another when things don't go your way. I imagine that you often feel like you're banging your head against the wall. Until you learn to roll with the punches, your effectiveness as an agent of change will be quite limited. Instead of banging your head against the wall, you might consider living for a few years in a place where you are surrounded by other progressive thinkers. Feel what it's like to be part of the majority, build up your emotional strength, then go back to Scranton ( if you still want to ) with a new found strength.

[littlebunnie69]

I moved into Pa, looking for a better lifestyle for my children. Even thought it's very hard to hear some of the racist comments that I have heard from people in my community towards my family and myself. i tried to remember that it's very hard for an individual to change when the racism has been inbeded in them by their parents.

Who is at fault? I believe their parents.

I want to believe that one day we won't have this kind of racism in NEPA.

[The Commish]

Originally Posted by NewAgeRedneck

Unfortunately this narrow minded thinking goes on just about everywhere in the country. It is not limited to NEPA only.

It does, of course, but Appalachia, of which NEPA is a part of in its northern stretches, has its own race problem.

Originally Posted by NewAgeRedneck

Having read many of your threads, I see your desire to serve as an agent of positive change. I also notice that you frequently get upset in one way or another when things don't go your way. I imagine that you often feel like you're banging your head against the wall. Until you learn to roll with the punches, your effectiveness as an agent of change will be quite limited. Instead of banging your head against the wall, you might consider living for a few years in a place where you are surrounded by other progressive thinkers. Feel what it's like to be part of the majority, build up your emotional strength, then go back to Scranton ( if you still want to ) with a new found strength.

Whoa there....

Is Paul claiming he's trying to be an "agent of change" in creating this thread? No, of course not. None of the regular posters here feel much differently about what happened than Paul does. There's no minds or conditions to change. It's just a thread. The thread is just a way to express anger and frustration about something terrible that happened.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by The Commish

Whoa there....

Is Paul claiming he's trying to be an "agent of change" in creating this thread? No, of course not. None of the regular posters here feel much differently about what happened than Paul does. There's no minds or conditions to change. It's just a thread. The thread is just a way to express anger and frustration about something terrible that happened.

I just posted this thread out of frustration because I knew there were more like-minded people on this forum who might have been willing to let me vent whereas slamming everyone in Schuylkill County into the ground on the Pottsville Republican Herald's web site, which I already have done, garnered no response. I don't think I'm "progressive" at all. Yes, I support same-sex civil unions for obvious reasons, but I'm still opposed to same-sex marriage. I don't condone abortion unless it there are extenuating medical circumstances involved that would jeopardize the well-being of the mother, but I have friends who have had abortions and would never hold their "right to choose," as per Roe v. Wade, against them. I'm a supporter of the Second Amendment. I didn't think it was "progressive" to expect the people of rural Schuylkill County to not beat Hispanics to death in the streets while hurling racial slurs at them, but then again I suppose you have to realize that it is Schuylkill County---where mullets, Confederate flags, and 1980s pick-up trucks outnumber Starbucks and iPhones by a 1000: 1 margin.

[Chefkey]

As I walk the Dog I have noticed several new Hispanic neighbors moving into the heights and you know what? They have been very good neighbors. They keep their lawn mowed and their house looks well kept. Today I saw them cleaning their car in and out and thought, geez I need to do that myself. People are people and it is a shame when you see intolerance.

[W-B proud]

Originally Posted by Chefkey

As I walk the Dog I have noticed several new Hispanic neighbors moving into the heights and you know what? They have been very good neighbors. They keep their lawn mowed and their house looks well kept. Today I saw them cleaning their car in and out and thought, geez I need to do that myself. People are people and it is a shame when you see intolerance.

I agree. I have several hispanic families in my neighborhood. They do not bother anyone. They keep to themselves, and are very good neighbors. I do not ever recall a major crime in W-B involving a hispanic person. It's usually a white or black guy. I know Hazleton has had some major crimes commited by hispanics. I wonder why the bad apples gravitate to Hazleton? As of right now, I love the diversity I see growing in my neighborhood. There are many new faces and they are of many different races. the people that are moving to my neighborhood are filling up long abandoned properties. Many old dilapadated houses have been renovated and rented out. I have met, and made friends with alot of them, and they are all from other cities like Newark, NYC, Philly ect. They are here to provide a better life for thier families. Some have opened new buisnesses like deli's or black barber shops. As long as the bullets aren't flying, I say welcome all! They are breathing new life into this long dying city, and I love it. I know with the good, comes the bad, but not in my neighborhood...yet.

[loveinbloom]

This death truly saddened me. The only thing we can do is teach our children to respect all...