Interesting story from the PG (Pittsburgh, Erie: loan, high school, college)

[supersoulty]

Originally Posted by welder

My man, unlike you, I was BORN and RAISED in Pittsburgh. I was born at West Penn Hospital on Liberty Ave in Bloomfield (and lived there off an on as as a kid). Ya, I've been to Shadyside before. All my family is blue collar though, so I never spent much time there. Almost ALL my family is originally from Garfield (still have family that lives there to this day). I bet there are more republicans in Shadyside than almost any other city neighborhood.

And BOTH Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, do donate to American charities that help inner city youth. Your views are more Democrat than Republican. You could probably say the same about my views as a Democrat. But as you see, Obama lost Pa by 10% points. So, I guess my views are more inline with Pa Democrats than they may seem.

So, in otherwords, you were born in the exact same place I was born. Okay. I love how you flash around your blue collar credentials like they are a badge of honor. Buddy, for half my life my family was less than blue collar.

People in this neighborhood might be "progressive" in the shallow sense. But they are. I'm sure it the GOP stopped hating on gays, Shadyside might go 50-50.

And you think I am a Democrat because I am not a social reactionary? That's sad. Equally sad is your belief that helping people in Africa has anything to do with helping people here in the U.S. I mean, do you really think people living in East Liberty should be gratified because people are sending money to Ghana? Is it because they are all black? Just a little shallow.

I'm not knocking the donations. I am knocking your wild notions that those donations are in anyway related to our discussion.

I don't want any handouts going out, BTW. I think the government screwed everything up to begin with and they should get the Hell out. I want CDC's to gain more power. East Liberty Development Inc. is a model example of how well neighborhoods can recover in a post-government era.

So here we have one person who likes government and wonders how black people dare complain, and someone doesn't like government and sees that the black community has reasonable complaints.

[lifepgh2op]

Originally Posted by welder

LOL Did you think that the white people are ALL going to 'roll over' and agree with that woman's article or her friend's experience? I don't think anybody who post on here thinks that is or was exceptable behavior. Like her friend being told to leave a bar cause she's black. Who here would think that's right? Not me, that's for sure.

But she needs to keep that stuff to herself cause it goes both ways. It happens the world over. I certainly don't want to read about it. Or hear somone on here tell me that "White people haven't done anything to help black people since the Civil War".

No, I don't expect people to "roll over" but I don't think anyone should turn away from the fact that it happens. She doesn't need to keep anything to herself because there's this thing called the First Amendment where she can have freedom of speech just like you. If you don't want to read about it, then don't participate in this thread.

[supersoulty]

Originally Posted by welder

LOL Did you think that the white people are ALL going to 'roll over' and agree with that woman's article or her friend's experience? I don't think anybody who post on here thinks that is or was exceptable behavior. Like her friend being told to leave a bar cause she's black. Who here would think that's right? Not me, that's for sure.

But she needs to keep that stuff to herself cause it goes both ways. It happens the world over. I certainly don't want to read about it. Or hear somone on here tell me that "White people haven't done anything to help black people since the Civil War".

See, out of one side of your mouth you profess to find that behavior unacceptable, but out of the other side, your rhetoric is purely us vs them.

[welder]

Originally Posted by supersoulty

So, in otherwords, you were born in the exact same place I was born. Okay. I love how you flash around your blue collar credentials like they are a badge of honor. Buddy, for half my life my family was less than blue collar.

People in this neighborhood might be "progressive" in the shallow sense. But they are. I'm sure it the GOP stopped hating on gays, Shadyside might go 50-50.

And you think I am a Democrat because I am not a social reactionary? That's sad. Equally sad is your belief that helping people in Africa has anything to do with helping people here in the U.S. I mean, do you really think people living in East Liberty should be gratified because people are sending money to Ghana? Is it because they are all black? Just a little shallow.

I'm not knocking the donations. I am knocking your wild notions that those donations are in anyway related to our discussion.

I don't want any handouts going out, BTW. I think the government screwed everything up to begin with and they should get the Hell out. I want CDC's to gain more power. East Liberty Development Inc. is a model example of how well neighborhoods can recover in a post-government era.

So here we have one person who likes government and wonders how black people dare complain, and someone doesn't like government and sees that the black community has reasonable complaints.

You said you grew up in some "nowhere town in a rural community". Now you're saying it was pittsburgh? What was it? You asked if I've been to Shadyside and I answered you. Shadyside is VERY expensive for the average Pittsburgh'er, therefore someone with a blue collar job with not live or spend much time there.

"Flashing Blue collar crendentials"? I wish I had a masters degree. But, I just ain't 'cut out' for the white collar world. If you think I'm trying to shove the "working class hero" bit down anybody's throat, you're BADLY mistaken. Education, and the more you have, is one of the most important things one can obtain in this world.

And for half your life, your family was less than blue collar? LOL Were you rationing corn? You did say you grew up in a "rural town". Being poor on a farm or small town is alot different than being poor in some inner city somewhere. Poor is Poor, but the danger difference changes alot. Your views are inline with someone who lead a 'pretty sheltered life'.

You maybe have the 'complex' about that kinda stuff, not me. I could drink in any yuppie neighborhood bar in America. I don't like them type of bars though cause they feel 'stuffy' to me. You on the other hand, would probably be nervous in alot of shady looking bars in 'iffy' neighborhoods.

[welder]

Originally Posted by supersoulty

See, out of one side of your mouth you profess to find that behavior unacceptable, but out of the other side, your rhetoric is purely us vs them.

The article was about the WHITE people of Pittsburgh being racist and treating black people badly. Was that article going to offend black people? I don't think so. You're SO VERY VERY LEFT LIBERAL it's unbelievable! The funny thing is though, without people like you, Obama will NEVER win.

I never shot a gun or went hunting, not EVEN once in my life. I'm not really a church going type of guy either. But, it was OK for Obama to say the people of PA are "clinging to there guns and religion", cause he got his @ss kicked in PA. So, I guess he's ALLOWED to paint the WHOLE state with a BROAD brush as PA residents being racist?(cause that was his underlying meaning with that statement)

[supersoulty]

Originally Posted by welder

You said you grew up in some "nowhere town in a rural community". Now you're saying it was pittsburgh? What was it? You asked if I've been to Shadyside and I answered you. Shadyside is VERY expensive for the average Pittsburgh'er, therefore someone with a blue collar job with not live or spend much time there.

I was born at West Penn Hospital. I never said anything prior to that point that contradicted that statement. Just because I lived elsewhere for most of my life doesn't preclude the fact that I was born here. If you really must know, the reason it was here is because my mother was staying at a battered women's shelter at the time.

Over half the people who live in this neighborhood are either immigrants, gay, young professionals, or college students like me. The uber-wealthy living in the big houses between Aiken and Amberson make up a pretty small part of the population.

"Flashing Blue collar crendentials"? I wish I had a masters degree. But, I just ain't 'cut out' for the white collar world. If you think I'm trying to shove the "working class hero" bit down anybody's throat, you're BADLY mistaken. Education, and the more you have, is one of the most important things one can obtain in this world.

Oh, no. You really aren't. I get what this is now. You are trying to play the "I'm sorry I didn't have money to get edu-ma-cated like you, angle." Well, he, guess what, I agree with you about education, and you know what, there is always time to go back and get one, so quit your bitching.

And for half your life, your family was less than blue collar? LOL Were you rationing corn? You did say you grew up in a "rural town". Being poor on a farm or small town is alot different than being poor in some inner city somewhere. Poor is Poor, but the danger difference changes alot. Your views are inline with someone who lead a 'pretty sheltered life'.

Actually, the area I come from is the old manufacturing belt that used to out from Pittsburgh, up to Indiana, to Punxy, and Brookville, Brookway and DuBois, that roughly corresponded with the rail lines. So, when the factories left, there were poor people... lots of them. My family was one of the ones that didn't leave fast enough for various reasons.

As for sheltered... I have seen everything the world has to offer, good and bad, rich poor, urban and rural, in America and elsewhere. On the other hand, you remind me of the kinda person who sits around at a bar a bitches with his other "hard working buddies" about how your life is **** and its all "the Man's fault"... yeah, I've seen plenty of those people too.

You maybe have the 'complex' about that kinda stuff, not me. I could drink in any yuppie neighborhood bar in America. I don't like them type of bars though cause they feel 'stuffy' to me. You on the other hand, would probably be nervous in alot of shady looking bars in 'iffy' neighborhoods.

[sarcasm]You obviously know me really well then.[sarcasm]

[welder]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

No, I don't expect people to "roll over" but I don't think anyone should turn away from the fact that it happens. She doesn't need to keep anything to herself because there's this thing called the First Amendment where she can have freedom of speech just like you. If you don't want to read about it, then don't participate in this thread.

You are the one who said that you "were sorry" that you started this thread. Racism happens everyday. It always will too, that will never change. It doesn't only happen in Pittsburgh. It happens the WORLD OVER. What I don't like, is when a white person trys to stick up for, or back 'his own kind'. Your then labeled a "racist". Why should I have to 'tip toe' or 'sugar coat' anything pertaining to race? If ALL men are created equal, it should be left at then.

I have no problem with black people backing Obama. But since the exits poll showed that he got ALMOST the entire BLACK vote against Hillary, I think that shows were their heads are at. Nothing wrong with that either.

If anyone on here watched his Pastor 'Rev Wright', and ALL the black people in that church, cheer and jump up and down, when he was codemning white people and America, and wants to vote for him, God Bless you. I know I wouldn't, enough said.

[supersoulty]

Originally Posted by welder

The article was about the WHITE people of Pittsburgh being racist and treating black people badly. Was that article going to offend black people? I don't think so. You're SO VERY VERY LEFT LIBERAL it's unbelievable! The funny thing is though, without people like you, Obama will NEVER win.

I never shot a gun or went hunting, not EVEN once in my life. I'm not really a church going type of guy either. But, it was OK for Obama to say the people of PA are "clinging to there guns and religion", cause he got his @ss kicked in PA. So, I guess he's ALLOWED to paint the WHOLE state with a BROAD brush as PA residents being racist?(cause that was his underlying meaning with that statement)

Yeah, I am so very very Liberal that I DO own a gun collection, and I DO go hunting, and I DO go to church at least twice a month. I didn't like those comments, but I don't use them a fuel to justify my resentment of a whole group of people the way you do.

The better approach might be to say, "well, the lady has a point." and as long as people are willing to discuss it, I am fine. I wish we could discuss racial issues honestly in this country. But as long as people like you run around using words like "us" and "them" and "they ALL (capitalization yours, BTW)" we aren't gonna have that, now are we?

And frankly, if people "like me" were in charge, Obama wouldn't have made it past Iowa. The difference is, my dislike of Obama isn't racial. In fact, I think Obama sets Black people back, because it was a dishonest way to get around our racial problems, at best. Remember early in the campaign when most the majority of African Americans weren't voting Obama? There is a reason for that, and that's that calling Obama "the Black candidate" is like calling me "the Irish Catholic candidate" because I like to get wasted on St. Patrick's Day and sing "Danny Boy"... I actually am Irish Catholic, but you get my point.

Realistically, Obama's rise has nothing to do with the black community becoming empowered, and it sure as Hell hasn't signified a new step in race relations in this country, as people in general are being more dishonest than ever about it.

[welder]

Originally Posted by supersoulty

I was born at West Penn Hospital. I never said anything prior to that point that contradicted that statement. Just because I lived elsewhere for most of my life doesn't preclude the fact that I was born here. If you really must know, the reason it was here is because my mother was staying at a battered women's shelter at the time.

Over half the people who live in this neighborhood are either immigrants, gay, young professionals, or college students like me. The uber-wealthy living in the big houses between Aiken and Amberson make up a pretty small part of the population.



Oh, no. You really aren't. I get what this is now. You are trying to play the "I'm sorry I didn't have money to get edu-ma-cated like you, angle." Well, he, guess what, I agree with you about education, and you know what, there is always time to go back and get one, so quit your bitching.



Actually, the area I come from is the old manufacturing belt that used to out from Pittsburgh, up to Indiana, to Punxy, and Brookville, Brookway and DuBois, that roughly corresponded with the rail lines. So, when the factories left, there were poor people... lots of them. My family was one of the ones that didn't leave fast enough for various reasons.

As for sheltered... I have seen everything the world has to offer, good and bad, rich poor, urban and rural, in America and elsewhere. On the other hand, you remind me of the kinda person who sits around at a bar a bitches with his other "hard working buddies" about how your life is **** and its all "the Man's fault"... yeah, I've seen plenty of those people too.



[sarcasm]You obviously know me really well then.[sarcasm]

Let's see, where to begin? Let's start with the education. What kid in America, who pays attention in school and works hard at it, can't go to college? Grants, loans, scholarships? Somebody might not end up in Harvard or Yale, but a college education is pretty easy to obtain in America in this day an age. That is, if a kid works hard and REALLY wants it.

As far as me bitching about it? What bitching? I stated that "I wasn't cut out for the white collar world". That doesn't change the fact that I know HOW IMPORTANT education is, just wasn't or ain't for me. The man keeping me down? I got into a union trade as a young kid. At 20 yrs old, I was making more than 90% of Pittsburgh adults.

[welder]

P.S. I also have done my fare share of travelling. I've spent years of my life on the road travelling around America. As well as time abroad, so, I've seen a thing or two in my day.