S. Central PA, is it really so intolerant?? (Lancaster, Harrisburg: appointed, transplants)

[Orion17]

Originally Posted by Artie See

That is definitely NOT the situation in Lancaster County.

Many Lancaster County residents refuse to visit Lancaster City. Why? The most common answer is because they feel unsafe among the many Hispanics and blacks who live in Lancaster City.

And did you poll these residents who refuse to visit the city? Did they tell you that is why?

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by treetorn

Unless you move inside the cities, Philadelphia or Pittsburg, Racism is not going to be an issue. Most rual pennsylvanias do not care where you are from, what religion you have, and what color of your skin. Its the liberal urbanites and feel do gooders that you have to watch out for, especialy in the city of "brotherly love".

Bye the way, I find this problem exist everywhere in liberal cities, and especially in the NE.

You obviously haven't been in rural PA then.

Coming from a region where it's 95% white (about 4% are hispanics who are here because of apple picking, not a stereotype, just accuracy. It's a big apple region), there is a significant amount of racism, just no one public says anything about it. It's a hush hush say it in the privacy of your own home racism.

Although I guess thinking about it, it's more bigotry than racism.

[PATRAIN]

Originally Posted by Marodi

You obviously haven't been in rural PA then.

Coming from a region where it's 95% white (about 4% are hispanics who are here because of apple picking, not a stereotype, just accuracy. It's a big apple region), there is a significant amount of racism, just no one public says anything about it. It's a hush hush say it in the privacy of your own home racism.

Although I guess thinking about it, it's more bigotry than racism.

I HAVE TO AGREE...I LIVE IN NORTHERN DAUPHIN AND MARODI IS SPOT ON. I REMEMBER A PRINCIPLE THAT TRANSPLATED HERE FROM NYC AND WAS LOOKING TO LIVE IN A RURAL AREA. SHE WAS SPANISH/AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HER HUSBAND WAS WHITE. NICE COUPLE...VERY EDUCATED. THEY LOOKED INTO THE HALIFAX AND NORTHERN AREAS AND SAID THEY ALWAYS FELT AS IF THEY WERE BEING STARED AT DRIVING AROUND TOWN. i MADE A JOKE THAT I GET STARED AT TOO, AND I LIVE THERE.....BUT, THEY WERE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND LOOKED ELSEWHERE.

[Artie See]

Originally Posted by Orion17

And did you poll these residents who refuse to visit the city? Did they tell you that is why?

Of the several dozen I've spoken to personally, that is the most common answer.

[solancogirl]

There are areas that are a bit more tolerant in Lancaster County because they are areas with more newbies who lean on each other. But Artie See is 100% correct. People will openly talk amongst their friends and neighbors about the horrors of Lancaster City and the bad element who live there.

Artie is not only basing his information on his personal experience our newspapers here have done many articles on the negative attitude countians have toward the city. Even Rick Gray the Mayor has talked openly about it. And our beloved countians don't hesitate just to talk they will even send letters to the editor about it! So for those of you who think we from Lancaster are exaggerating, or for those who have had some positive experiences (I am glad), let it be known we are giving it to you straight.

You haven't lived until you've picked up your local newspaper and seen a letter to the editor or editorial on why all homosexuals are going to hell (with bible verses to back it up).

[markf_07]

Intolerance is a personal issue. Yes York has some issues but so does everywhere else in the country. Harrisburg has less due to the fact that there are more diverse groups there. It all depends on who your neighbors are. Ive lived here for 20 years im hispanic and ive faced racism in one place only

[sharris]

I Think you may have been misguided. There are always a few bad apples everywhere. Lived here all my life and have seen many changes but raisism is not one of them...

[Orion17]

Originally Posted by Artie See

Of the several dozen I've spoken to personally, that is the most common answer.

Several dozen does not jibe with your claim of the Many Lancaster County Residents as your post I originally quoted said. How do you quantify many?

I just have a problem with people who use absolutes and speak for many when they do not have any real knowledge.

Now the person who said the newspaper says things and has editorials is some semblance of verification. But to me that is akin to saying the KKK has a newsletter and because of their position that you can extrapolate that the entire white race thinks that way.

Like that person said, someone wrote that homosexuals are going to hell. Was that an opinion article? Was it a paid writer? Is it even a credible publication?

But again that is my opinion and personal quest to get people to stop speaking for me or others when they shouldn't or don't have the authority or knowledge to do so.

I wouldnt tell someone not to move somewhere because people think a certain way. In fact, I would challenge them to move to a bigoted area if they are so inclined to wake people who are living in the early 1900's to wake up and realize it is 2008. I know any person who feels comfortable saying any bigoted ideas to me that I let them know what I think about their position.

[Artie See]

Originally Posted by Orion17

But again that is my opinion and personal quest to get people to stop speaking for me or others when they shouldn't or don't have the authority or knowledge to do so.

Excellent. After you've spent several weeks living in suburban or rural Lancaster County, please let us all know what you've learned.

As for me, I've not sat around with my eyes and ears closed for the last 53+ years.

[solancogirl]

Originally Posted by Orion17

Several dozen does not jibe with your claim of the Many Lancaster County Residents as your post I originally quoted said. How do you quantify many?

I just have a problem with people who use absolutes and speak for many when they do not have any real knowledge.

Now the person who said the newspaper says things and has editorials is some semblance of verification. But to me that is akin to saying the KKK has a newsletter and because of their position that you can extrapolate that the entire white race thinks that way.

Like that person said, someone wrote that homosexuals are going to hell. Was that an opinion article? Was it a paid writer? Is it even a credible publication?

But again that is my opinion and personal quest to get people to stop speaking for me or others when they shouldn't or don't have the authority or knowledge to do so.

Lancaster Newspapers--Intelligencer Journal, Sunday News, Lancaster New Era Circulation is equal to or higher than Harrisburg Patriot and Philadelphia Inquirer and they have won many awards.

Letters to the Editor--not paid.

Where here do you live?