Pittsburgh segregated and racist? (Brentwood, Oliver: rent , jobs, house)

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Agbor

I agree with boylocke its more of a class-thing..eventhough there was an incident in the Hays section some years (4?) when a black family moved in but I don't know what type of neighborhood Hays is as far as class and education level..

The class/education level of Hays can't be very high. It's right next to rail road tracks between Baldwin and Homestead. That's not the topography of an affluent---or even middle class---neighborhood. Now that I think about it, I've taken short cuts through there. It's a very run down area.

Check out the map for reference: Hays, Pittsburgh, PA, USA - Google Maps

[zip95]

Found this....
BlackNews.com - Pittsburgh Blacks Among Nation's Poorest, Most Segregated

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by zip95

Found this....
BlackNews.com - Pittsburgh Blacks Among Nation's Poorest, Most Segregated

I'm not buying it. A report should contain more concrete information to be considered "comprehensive" and "in-depth." The article claims that the segregated nature of the region compounds the problem of single parent households, but it offers no proof whatsoever. I can not imagine how a connection can be made between segregation and the low marriage rate among black women with children. Yet the article implies it.

The 5% difference between unemployment rates for black men in Pittsburgh compared to black men in other areas of the country is most likely the result of the fact that Pittsburgh has a slower economy than the rest of the country.

Granted, it's a darn shame that blacks have to suffer higher employment rates than whites anywhere in the country. I think education is the key. I fully support moving towards a county school system so monies can be allocated more evenly to more depressed areas.

[new2theNC]

I lived in the Mt. Lebanon area growing up, and had friends in Scott Twp. and Bridgeville and the whole South Hills really, and now I lived in North Carolina and it couldnt be more different in the way you asked. I live in a nice little "housing plan" where it's just a bunch of nice houses that were all built at the same time (you get the idea), and it's pretty much 50/50 black and white. I lived in basically the same type of situation in Pittsburgh, and there were maybe 1 or 2 black families in the neighborhood, if that. I mean if you go to South Hills Village you would be pretty hard pressed to find many black people. It's just how it is, white people in Pittsburgh are usually racist and alot of pretty open about it.


Also, since they thought up the idea to spread out public housing and make the South Hills townships and boro's provide some sort of public housing, it's almost as if they designate an entire street in a crappy part of town and use the houses to make sure they are playing by the rules with HUD. And as you may imagine, it seems like those streets get turned to hell rather quickly. So even when they forced to integrate the area, they try their damndest to keep it as separated as possible.

[guylocke]

As for blacks not having tradition in Pittsburgh, that isn't true. Remember the Hill District of old? I don't, but I hear stories from my parents. Of course Blues was pretty much invented in Pittsburgh and my dad said that anybody and any race would take trips to the hill district to listen to the music and eat the food and it was quite safe. I hate to say this for fear of starting an argument, but it's just not the way it works anymore. White folks fear the Hill District now. I'm not sure what happened in history that changed all this.

[PPG]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I'm not buying it. A report should contain more concrete information to be considered "comprehensive" and "in-depth." The article claims that the segregated nature of the region compounds the problem of single parent households, but it offers no proof whatsoever. I can not imagine how a connection can be made between segregation and the low marriage rate among black women with children. Yet the article implies it.

The 5% difference between unemployment rates for black men in Pittsburgh compared to black men in other areas of the country is most likely the result of the fact that Pittsburgh has a slower economy than the rest of the country.

Granted, it's a darn shame that blacks have to suffer higher employment rates than whites anywhere in the country. I think education is the key. I fully support moving towards a county school system so monies can be allocated more evenly to more depressed areas.

Well I do buy it. For all the opinionated and uninformed, Pittsburgh was named one of the most racist and segregated in the US. I know most do not want to hear or even believe this but this is true. I don't have the exact article yet but I do advise everyone to do research to back up their opinions.

Data does not tell the whole story or even half of it. I once read that Pittsburgh's black business ownership is lower that cities with less blacks.
It seems blacks are only allowed to own barber shops and candy stores, and even then the city wants to shut them down always claiming that drugs are involved. Look at the casino issue. There is no doubt in my mind that if Don Barden was white the casino would be already standing and operating.

Having said that, a lot of whites in Pittsburgh are not racists, rather its the company owners and employers/employees that are straight out of 1950. (in their way of thinking)

[Hopes]

I'm not denying that Pittsburgh is segregated, Pimps.

I just don't believe that segregation increases the number of unmarried black mothers.

Can you prove in any logical manner how segregation would influence marriage among blacks?

If so, I'd love to hear your ideas.

You don't even have to back it up with studies and statistics. Just your gut instinct will do just fine for me.

[claremarie]

Can you prove in any logical manner how segregation would influence marriage among blacks?

Hmmmm....how about this. Blacks who live in segregated and low-income neighborhoods are less likely to be exposed to middle-class neighbors (of any race) who model the middle-class behavior patterns, such as graduating from high school and not having children in your teens, necessary to escape poverty. Black men in such neighborhoods are far more likely to be unemployed, imprisoned, and/or substance abusers, which makes them poor candidates for marriage to the black women who will nonetheless bear their children and continue the cycle of poverty.

[PPG]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I'm not denying that Pittsburgh is segregated, Pimps.

I just don't believe that segregation increases the number of black women with children who are unmarried.

Can you prove in any logical manner how segregation would influence marriage among blacks?

If so, I'd love to hear your ideas.

You don't even have to back it up with studies and statistics. Just your gut instinct will do just fine for me.

It may not seem like it's related in 2007 but these problems go back decades, even centuries and the root cause has always been racism and it's effects.

What we are dealing with in 2007 are "learned behaviors" and predispostions. Kinda like if all of your grandmothers were alcholics, you would be more likely to follow the same pattern.

I'm sorry to say this but since I've been on CD I have ran in to one too many that have no interest or regard for black history. Then these people argue about something they have no idea about. Also, sadly, a lot of these young people think that history started in the year 1990.

Lastly, racism is alive and well. Even people like Fred Honsberger admit that racism is alive but you never will hear anyone say "Hey, I'm a racist." So where is this racism?

Don't believe Pittsburgh is racist? The next time you pass a construction crew on the highway count the number of non-whites. Also ask yourself, if these workers were all black men from Homewood would you as a caucasian be eager to put in an application to work with people who are percieved as dirty thugs? That's how it is for black men except that the all white workforce is percieved by black men as confederate flag tatoo racists.(Example)

As for what happened to the Hill District, look into the riots in the 60's.

Want more racism? Look into the Pittsburgh Public School system.

[Hopes]

Thanks, claremarie.

Originally Posted by claremarie

Hmmmm....how about this. Blacks who live in segregated and low-income neighborhoods are less likely to be exposed to middle-class neighbors (of any race) who model the middle-class behavior patterns, such as graduating from high school and not having children in your teens, necessary to escape poverty. Black men in such neighborhoods are far more likely to be unemployed, imprisoned, and/or substance abusers, which makes them poor candidates for marriage to the black women who will nonetheless bear their children and continue the cycle of poverty.

Doesn't the same apply to whites who live in low income neighborhoods?