Pittsburgh's creative class hampered by a lack of diversity (Allentown: credit, homes)

[charisb]

I do not understand the point of this story at all. I am all for increased diversity. But are they saying that we cannot have creativity without more foreigners and LGBT people? That seems insulting to everyone.
And I love that an article about diversity refers to people as 'nonwhite'...

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

I thought these were biweekly now? Most articles these days like this one shouldn't be taken seriously. They are just to get someone to read so there is advertising revenue. It is all about money, not substance.

But haven't you heard - Scandinavia - horrible region, too many white people; China - no chance for success, too many Asians; South Africa - awful country; too many black people. None of these places have any chance to compete as they lack diversity & plus we all know that all people of the same skin color regardless of origin are all the same & add no worthwhile diversity on their own.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by UKyank

But haven't you heard - Scandinavia - horrible region, too many white people; China - no chance for success, too many Asians; South Africa - awful country; too many black people. None of these places have any chance to compete as they lack diversity & plus we all know that all people of the same skin color regardless of origin are all the same & add no worthwhile diversity on their own.

My theory as to why is this: None of those places are the USA. No one complains about those places because they expect those places to be a certain way. America has been a diverse nation and therefore, many expect that.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by green_mariner

My theory as to why is this: None of those places are the USA. No one complains about those places because they expect those places to be a certain way. America has been a diverse nation and therefore, many expect that.

I have no problem with diversity but rather the laziness of what most people whom make a big deal about it define diversity.
I can put 5 white people in a room & 5 black people in another & have immense diversity amongst each of the five people but the lazy diversity complainers would only see diversity if the two groups were placed together. I should also not that they only seem to bring up the matter when the majority is white as if somehow that itself is a negative.

[Caladium]

????? I've never noticed Pittsburgh having a lack of creativity. Seems to me that a lot of creative ideas have started and/or thrived there. IMO Pittsburgh stimulates creativity, since the relatively low rents tend to attract entrepreneurs/artists/inventors, Pittsburgh has a culture that has always encouraged the arts, and long winters mean people stay inside and turn to their creativity to entertain themselves.

[julian17033]

If Pittsburgh wants diversity it must carefully cultivate it concerning an influx of racial minorities as opposed to opening the flood gates that mainly attract racial minorities as well as Caucasian populations that are inter generational welfare recipients. Case in point is Allentown.

For the last twenty years Allentown has suffered due to the economic lead weight that has been created by those that create a negative return for their residence. This is very evident in the Allentown public School system where the majority of children in that district are from families on public assistance.
This has served to increase property taxes at an alarming rate for property owners that still reside within the Allentown School District.

Pittsburgh needs to cultivate racial minorities that are also accepting of other cultures, are willing to teach the importance of education and are tolerant of Caucasian and GLBT communities.
The most accepting racial minorities are those that have a history of education and that teach the value of such to their children IE Asian and Eastern Indian populations.

Pittsburgh is notably insular concerning this however the last thing that your city needs are populations that devalue private property, increase crime due to historically high unemployment in those groups and that cause an ever increasing drain on the tax base.

Move ahead with a solid plan and with caution as opposed to welcoming the huddled masses because those masses will cost your city for the foreseeable future.

[Blackbeauty212]

Diversity is Overused-Overplayed and Ill conceived. People use the term "Diversity" like its the new hot in thing that one city much purchase from Neiman Marcus in order to be "Cool".... Can anyone name me 1 city in the United States where the city neighborhoods are as massive of racial/ethnic/lifestyle melting pots as the overall city itself is seen as...answer is "NO" You can't.

The more "Diverse" a city becomes, the more segregated it is as well....Even NYC and SF are very "diverse" but also very Segregated, Manhattan is now over 90% white, Yet NYC is never knocked because of it.

It's actually cities like Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Boston, Seattle, Portland with High "White" populations, where the minorities are far more integrated with whites than the other way around. Even LGBT, as much as I'm for the LGBT community flourishing, I want it to flourish throughout the city, I want LGBT to feel like they can live or start a business anywhere in the city, not just within some boundaries of a Gentrified Box Neighborhood that happens to be a massive enclave of Gay people. That's Segregating, I Don't want that.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I'm gay. I'm planning to start my own business. I will leave PA if same-sex marriage isn't legalized soon.

And go where?

It's great that you're planning to start a business someday. But as great as it is to have future plans, you can't use them, or the threat of "do what I want or I'll move away" to persuade people to change laws. Especially if you're a newcomer who's only been there a few years. Maybe if you've got powerful family connections and plenty of $$$, people might care if some young 20-something is threatening to move away. Otherwise, you'll just hear some variation of "See ya."

If you really want to change things, you have to put down roots and make it clear that you're here to stay. Start that business. Join the Chamber of Commerce. Get active with local charities. Buy that house. Then people are more likely to care if you stay in the town.

"We're here. We're qu**r. Get used to it!" is a position of power. That's the way you get laws changed.

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by Caladium

And go where?

It's great that you're planning to start a business someday. But as great as it is to have future plans, you can't use them, or the threat of "do what I want or I'll move away" to persuade people to change laws. Especially if you're a newcomer who's only been there a few years. Maybe if you've got powerful family connections and plenty of $$$, people might care if some young 20-something is threatening to move away. Otherwise, you'll just hear some variation of "See ya."

If you really want to change things, you have to put down roots and make it clear that you're here to stay. Start that business. Join the Chamber of Commerce. Get active with local charities. Buy that house. Then people are more likely to care if you stay in the town.

"We're here. We're qu**r. Get used to it!" is a position of power. That's the way you get laws changed.

Agreed. Don't flee, SCR. "Be the change".

[LIRefugee]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

Agreed. Don't flee, SCR. "Be the change".

It's better to have one SCR than no SCR in town.