Interracial (White/Mex-Amer) couple to Phoenix from OC-Cali? (Mesa, Scottsdale: taxis, place to live)

[From KW]

Originally Posted by jco

My husband has had two experiences of racism in his entire life living in AZ. Both were stupid little things and he brushed them off.

If it was a 'stupid little thing', how can you call that racism? If it was racism, how can you refer to it as a 'stupid little thing'?

I'm always a little confused over what exactly racism is. I've always associated it to being something serious. I often wonder that many people use the word racism a little to lightly, ie. when something is minor. Doesn't hate have to be involved before it can be racism? Are racial stereotypes necessarily racism? If you look at someone differently because of their race, is that neccessarily racism? After all, are there not some differences between different races? If a 'white' says something that is considered racist, would it be racist for a 'black' or 'mexican' to say something similiar toward a 'white'?

Saying I don't want to move to Phoenix because 'I don't feel like having my child grow up around racism' sounds pretty offensive towards Phoenix to me, or am I over-reacting?

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by From KW

If it was a 'stupid little thing', how can you call that racism? If it was racism, how can you refer to it as a 'stupid little thing'?

I'm always a little confused over what exactly racism is. I've always associated it to being something serious. I often wonder that many people use the word racism a little to lightly, ie. when something is minor. Doesn't hate have to be involved before it can be racism? Are racial stereotypes necessarily racism? If you look at someone differently because of their race, is that neccessarily racism? After all, are there not some differences between different races? If a 'white' says something that is considered racist, would it be racist for a 'black' or 'mexican' to say something similiar toward a 'white'?

Saying I don't want to move to Phoenix because 'I don't feel like having my child grow up around racism' sounds pretty offensive towards Phoenix to me, or am I over-reacting?

Hell: an Italian saying something derogatory to an Irishman (in Europe) due to his ethnicity can be 'racist' as well.

Besides: there is no such thing as a 'Mexican' race-------never mind what La Raza likes to get people to believe. Most Latinos here are essentially Native American but do not care to admit to it due to their racist beliefs.

[mia983]

I am Mexican. I was born there and moved to Canada at a young age. My husband is African American and was born and raised in Michigan.

We are planning to move to Arizona and we have two small children. We were also wondering what it was like to move there. We see on tv how bad the illegal immigration is and we were also worried if we would have any problems there being that I am mexican and he is black.

I know that there are places in Michigan that are racist and we couldn't live in and I was wondering if it could be the same in the Phoenix area. Reading the posts I notice that people generalize you more based on your economic status, so is there a place where we would be more accepted than other places? Just wondering...

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by mia983

I am Mexican. I was born there and moved to Canada at a young age. My husband is African American and was born and raised in Michigan.

We are planning to move to Arizona and we have two small children. We were also wondering what it was like to move there. We see on tv how bad the illegal immigration is and we were also worried if we would have any problems there being that I am mexican and he is black.

I know that there are places in Michigan that are racist and we couldn't live in and I was wondering if it could be the same in the Phoenix area. Reading the posts I notice that people generalize you more based on your economic status, so is there a place where we would be more accepted than other places? Just wondering...

Truth?

Mia; strictly speaking, you are a Canadian I suspect assuming you took out citizenship in that country.

I am being serious here; take a trip around the USA and follow your gut.

Besides: many Hispanics do not like to admit it; but, some of them are actually 'Black'-------look at many of today's baseball players from the Dominican Republic.

I knew a Black guy here in the Phx area whose father was Mexican American------the son apparently considered himself to be 'African American', who happened to have a Spanish surname.

[OhioNative]

When most people refer to "racism," what they actually mean is prejudice or bigotry. Racism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another. Prejudice is exactly what it says, namely pre-judging someone on their appearance, group membership, or other superficial traits, which by the way, everyone does - it is human nature. Bigotry, on the other hand, is acting on prejudice, that is treating someone differently or disliking them because of those superficial traits - this action is what most people actually refer to when they say "racism." Prejudice can be overcome, usually by increased exposure to those who we might stereotype or misunderstand. Bigotry, on the other hand, is difficult to change, because it requires a change in attitude or worldview, which is obviously much harder.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by OhioNative

When most people refer to "racism," what they actually mean is prejudice or bigotry. Racism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another. Prejudice is exactly what it says, namely pre-judging someone on their appearance, group membership, or other superficial traits, which by the way, everyone does - it is human nature. Bigotry, on the other hand, is acting on prejudice, that is treating someone differently or disliking them because of those superficial traits - this action is what most people actually refer to when they say "racism." Prejudice can be overcome, usually by increased exposure to those who we might stereotype or misunderstand. Bigotry, on the other hand, is difficult to change, because it requires a change in attitude or worldview, which is obviously much harder.

Very well stated there:

I may have my prejudices as in preconceived notions but, I try to give individuals a fair shake.

[From KW]

Originally Posted by Reid3416

Coming from Canada I think it's really sad that a person has to ask about an "acceptable" place to live with ones spouce where they won't be discriminated against.

As a fellow Canadian: Supposedly, we Canadians have less racial predjudice than our Americian couterparts. Yet, if I look at the Americans I have met and the Canadians I know, I don't think there is any difference in thier attitudes towards different races/ ethnic group.

Us Canadians need to look at ourselves first, we have a Doctor shortage, yet our country is full of foreign trained medical professionals (some who I know personally) who are prevented from working by Canadian (White-European dominated) Health Professional bodies. I have met Canadians whom I would basically classify as having racist attitudes.

I wonder that the reason that there is a perception of more racial-related problems in the US vs. Canada is simply because there are 10x more people in the US than in Canada. More people = more problems...

[mia983]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

Truth?

Mia; strictly speaking, you are a Canadian I suspect assuming you took out citizenship in that country.

I am being serious here; take a trip around the USA and follow your gut.

Besides: many Hispanics do not like to admit it; but, some of them are actually 'Black'-------look at many of today's baseball players from the Dominican Republic.

I knew a Black guy here in the Phx area whose father was Mexican American------the son apparently considered himself to be 'African American', who happened to have a Spanish surname.

I know that some hispanics are black. Even in the part of Mexico where I am from there is a great amount of African influence. I myself am mixed spanish, native (olmec) and looking at my great-grandmother, african, and I have found out recently that my father's last name is jewish. although here in canada I have been asked many times if I am malaysian or filipina.

I did take canadian citizenship only last year. I lived my whole life here in Canada as a permanent resident until i decided to take the citizenship test.

The city I grew up in is pretty diverse with a large number of asians and middle eastern people. My husband grew up in the detroit area where there is a clear color line in each suburb.

Our concerns are if our children will have to experience any type of stereotype or racism.

It looks like he will be working in Mesa, as police officer and from what I have read, Mesa has very high homicide , rape, aggravated assaults, and thefts! Where would be a good place to live for us??

[mia983]

Originally Posted by From KW

As a fellow Canadian: Supposedly, we Canadians have less racial predjudice than our Americian couterparts. Yet, if I look at the Americans I have met and the Canadians I know, I don't think there is any difference in thier attitudes towards different races/ ethnic group.

Us Canadians need to look at ourselves first, we have a Doctor shortage, yet our country is full of foreign trained medical professionals (some who I know personally) who are prevented from working by Canadian (White-European dominated) Health Professional bodies. I have met Canadians whom I would basically classify as having racist attitudes.

I wonder that the reason that there is a perception of more racial-related problems in the US vs. Canada is simply because there are 10x more people in the US than in Canada. More people = more problems...

I agree with your comment. I think that many many people have their own personal negative opinions about people of other backgrounds, but for the most part they will not say anything to your face. That doesn't mean they don't feel this way.

Also, all the doctors I know here where I live are foreign.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by mia983

I am Mexican. I was born there and moved to Canada at a young age. My husband is African American and was born and raised in Michigan.

We are planning to move to Arizona and we have two small children. We were also wondering what it was like to move there. We see on tv how bad the illegal immigration is and we were also worried if we would have any problems there being that I am mexican and he is black.

I know that there are places in Michigan that are racist and we couldn't live in and I was wondering if it could be the same in the Phoenix area. Reading the posts I notice that people generalize you more based on your economic status, so is there a place where we would be more accepted than other places? Just wondering...

Yes you'll be fine and yes they will judge you more depending on the car you drive and what neighborhood you live in.

Glendale seems to be more down to earth than Gilbert even though we liked living in Gilbert as well.