Hispanics in Pitt (Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, Monroe: gated, house, assessment)

[BrianTH]

For decent authentic Mexican food, I recommend checking out Fajita Grill in Shadyside.

Also, Mexico City (two locations Downtown) is getting excellent reviews for authentic Mexican, but I haven't eaten there yet.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Katiana

The Hispanic population of the US is the fastest-growing segment.

Interestingly, that appears to be roughly true in the Pittsburgh region as well (that the Hispanic population is growing relative to the general population). It is just starting from a very low base.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by supersoulty

That being said, I should mention that, in terms of the relationship between the Black population and "everyone else", Pittsburgh is the closest thing you will find in the North to a racially segregated city par excellence... but is "only" for that circumstance. Otherwise, Pittsburgh is a fairly integrated city.

I don't think I agree.

Firstly, the city is overwhelmingly black and white, so integration as far as 'everyone else' can't really exist...

Secondly, the East End and North Side seem much more integrated than say...Boston.

Thirdly, the Eastern suburbs seem very diverse to me. In fact, I can't really think of a Northeastern area with more integrated...maybe New Jersey??

I think a more accurate assessment would be...The South Hills are probably the most segregated suburbs I've seen. The North Hills are still pretty segregated, but diversifying slowly, the Eastern Suburbs are some of the most integrated suburbs I've seen. The city is hit or miss, with the most integration on the North side and the East End.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

For decent authentic Mexican food, I recommend checking out Fajita Grill in Shadyside.

Also, Mexico City (two locations Downtown) is getting excellent reviews for authentic Mexican, but I haven't eaten there yet.

Either my niece and nephew didn't find those places, or they didn't think they were authentic.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by zip95

I don't think I agree.

Firstly, the city is overwhelmingly black and white, so integration as far as 'everyone else' can't really exist...

Secondly, the East End and North Side seem much more integrated than say...Boston.

Thirdly, the Eastern suburbs seem very diverse to me. In fact, I can't really think of a Northeastern area with more integrated...maybe New Jersey??

I think a more accurate assessment would be...The South Hills are probably the most segregated suburbs I've seen. The North Hills are still pretty segregated, but diversifying slowly, the Eastern Suburbs are some of the most integrated suburbs I've seen. The city is hit or miss, with the most integration on the North side and the East End.

Here are some stats for three fairly large eastern suburbs.

Races in Lower Burrell:
White Non-Hispanic (97.6%)
Black (0.9%)
Two or more races (0.6%)

Races in Municipality of Monroeville:
White Non-Hispanic (85.1%)
Black (8.3%)
Asian Indian (2.5%)
Two or more races (1.2%)
Chinese (0.9%)
Hispanic (0.8%)

Races in Penn Hills:
White Non-Hispanic (73.3%)
Black (24.2%)
Two or more races (1.2%)
Hispanic (0.6%)

[zip95]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Here are some stats for three fairly large eastern suburbs.

Where is Lower Burrell???..I never heard of it.

But anyway, I think segregation has less to do with percentages and more to do with whether people are able to live and work together.

As an example, you show me a 50 / 50 working class town and I'll show you segregation. On the other hand, you show me a 90 / 10 upper-middle class town and I'll show you integration.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by zip95

Where is Lower Burrell???..I never heard of it.

But anyway, I think segregation has less to do with percentages and more to do with whether people are able to live and work together.

It's out east of the city. If people are able to live and work together, the statistics should show it. I know there are very segregated cities that have great statistics, but have areas where people are "supposed" to live. However, cities with virtually no minorities are not "diverse". You have to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

[supersoulty]

As Katrina said, its true that there isn't institutional segregation in Pittsburgh, but there is a lot of de facto segregation, and one gets the sense from being here that there are defiantly areas where people are "supposed" to live, and those areas are very clearly defined. I'm sure there aren't too many people who mind working with a Black person in this city. There probably aren't too many whole would panic if a family moved in next door... "but yinz better not make it a habit. Yinz stay where you are." And if a Black mayor ever was elected (30% of the population is Black, and its been that way for a while, and yet we have never had one, and aren't likely to anytime soon) who pushed any kinda integration agenda, I have a feeling this place would explode like Boston in the 70's. Are people here overtly racist. Not at all. But like most Northern cities, there is a great facade of tolerance, but deep down, people's attitudes are just as bad as they are any place else. I had to move here before I noticed it.

And there are other minority groups living in the city, its just that they go unnoticed, because they are mostly spread out, or live in the upper-scale areas, like Shadyside. The Asian population of the city in 2000 was 3%. I suspect that it will be higher in the next census. And Hispanics today probably comprise about 2.5%-3% of the population, but not one notices, again because there aren't ghettos... and there is no discrimination.

[supersoulty]

Also:

Races in Wilkinsburg:

Black (66.5%)

White Non-Hispanic (29.0%)

Two or more races (2.4%)

American Indian (1.4%)

Hispanic (1.1%)

Other race (0.5%)

Races in Homestead:

Black (51.3%)

White Non-Hispanic (42.4%)

Two or more races (2.7%)

Vietnamese (2.2%)

American Indian (0.8%)

Hispanic (0.6%)

Races in Braddock:

Black (66.5%)

White Non-Hispanic (29.9%)

Two or more races (2.3%)

Hispanic (1.5%)

American Indian (0.9%)

Other race (0.7%)

15206 - East Liberty, Morningside, eastern Shadyside, Larimer, Highland Park
[/left]
White population: 14,058
Black population: 16,645
American Indian population: 84
Asian population: 737
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population: 3
Some other race population: 235
Two or more races population: 720

15219 - The Hill, The Bluff, Polish Hill
White population: 6,149
Black population: 12,335
American Indian population: 48
Asian population: 257
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population: 9
Some other race population: 185
Two or more races population: 221

15208 - Homewood, North Point Breeze

White population: 2,976
Black population: 9,967
American Indian population: 40
Asian population: 102
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population: 4
Some other race population: 47
Two or more races population: 216

15217 - Squirrel Hill

White population: 23,495
Black population: 811
American Indian population: 27
Asian population: 1,530
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population: 12
Some other race population: 166
Two or more races population: 384

One of these things is not like the others....

That's some mighty fine integration there.

[zip95]

I'm not entirely sure what we're talkin about here...

My only point is that the Pittsburgh region is not so small that everything everywhere is the same. The way people feel in Squirl Hill is very different than the way people feel in Allentown, is very different than the way people feel in the South Hills, is very different than.....