Richmond is not diverse (Norfolk, Roanoke: school district, gated, wages)

[CNI]

Let's expand this.
USA is generally considered a very diverse nation. Diverse geography, people, religions, etc.
Does that mean that I can go to the middle of the country and lay out at the beach? Or ski along the oceanfront?
Does it mean that every town and community has large dispersions of ethnicities and cultures?
No. It means that, with reasonable effort, I can experience the diversity if I get off my butt and choose to do so.
If I live in Wyoming and I want to experience more minority cultures then I can travel or move within the country and do that.
USA = diverse. USA does not mean you can find any and every thing on every block.
Same for Richmond. Some diversity if you choose to engage it.
Would you say the USA is not diverse because you cannot find different skin tones working and playing side-by-side in every community?

This thread is touching on 2 topics (at least) that are related but not totally the same.
First, there is a question of diversity in Richmond.
Second, there is a question of races mixing and socializing together in Richmond.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by CNI

Let's expand this.
USA is generally considered a very diverse nation. Diverse geography, people, religions, etc.
Does that mean that I can go to the middle of the country and lay out at the beach? Or ski along the oceanfront?
Does it mean that every town and community has large dispersions of ethnicities and cultures?
No. It means that, with reasonable effort, I can experience the diversity if I get off my butt and choose to do so.
If I live in Wyoming and I want to experience more minority cultures then I can travel or move within the country and do that.
USA = diverse. USA does not mean you can find any and every thing on every block.
Same for Richmond. Some diversity if you choose to engage it.
Would you say the USA is not diverse because you cannot find different skin tones working and playing side-by-side in every community?

This thread is touching on 2 topics (at least) that are related but not totally the same.
First, there is a question of diversity in Richmond.
Second, there is a question of races mixing and socializing together in Richmond.

Clearly you have not been to a state like Florida or city like Seattle.

[CNI]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

Clearly you have not been to a state like Florida or city like Seattle.

Incorrect. I've been to Florida.

Would you care to explain/elaborate on how - according to your defintion - diversity means that you are supposed to be able to find various races mixing and mingling at every turn? Could you point me to a few of these places?
Would you explain how the USA - which does not meet your definition of diversity - is not diverse?
Do you really not believe that, in order to achieve the diversity you claim you want in Richmond, you might need to be that person attending an event where you are the minority and where you may feel somewhat out-of-place?

[Howe2]

I moved here about 3 years ago and cannot tell you enough about how diverse and welcoming this town has been. I am of greek decent and have never felt like like the previous individual. On the contrary, Richmond is a melting pot of people from all over the country. There are more people here from the north, at times it seems as if more than original Virginians. Metro Richmond is known for their ecclectic shops and restuarant selections...from Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish, Japanese, Italien, Greek, African, Jamaican and the list goes on. Just take a stroll down Cary Street or Shockoe Bottom and you will find that all are welcome and treated equally.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by Howe2

I moved here about 3 years ago and cannot tell you enough about how diverse and welcoming this town has been. I am of greek decent and have never felt like like the previous individual. On the contrary, Richmond is a melting pot of people from all over the country. There are more people here from the north, at times it seems as if more than original Virginians. Metro Richmond is known for their ecclectic shops and restuarant selections...from Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish, Japanese, Italien, Greek, African, Jamaican and the list goes on. Just take a stroll down Cary Street or Shockoe Bottom and you will find that all are welcome and treated equally.

This is what I'm talking about.

[Teebyrd86]

I have lived in Roanoke for almost 2 years now.. grew up in Richmond. I cannot tell you how diverse Richmond is especially compared to here. I attended Varina High School.. Back when I went there (2000-2004) it was more diverse than it is now. I went to school with lots of different races and frankly enjoyed being around the different types of people. I think diversity is a good thing to have and I definatly feel Richmond has plenty of it, especially for being in the "south". I guess once you move to a town like Roanoke (which I happen to love except its lack of diversity) you appreciate the diversity Richmond has you just might not notice while living there.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by Teebyrd86

I have lived in Roanoke for almost 2 years now.. grew up in Richmond. I cannot tell you how diverse Richmond is especially compared to here. I attended Varina High School.. Back when I went there (2000-2004) it was more diverse than it is now. I went to school with lots of different races and frankly enjoyed being around the different types of people. I think diversity is a good thing to have and I definatly feel Richmond has plenty of it, especially for being in the "south". I guess once you move to a town like Roanoke (which I happen to love except its lack of diversity) you appreciate the diversity Richmond has you just might not notice while living there.

I also went to varina hs during that time

[joey2000]

Originally Posted by carterharuka

well it's about time someone finally figured out that richmond is behind the times, sometimes i really think that town honestly thinks it's the late 18'th century and not 2008 wake up, all richmond is just a hatefull little town , if your not white straight and christan they don't want anyone there.

Yeah I saw how those #$@ white, straight Christians wrote hate-filled grafitti on the statues on Memorial Blvd. Oh wait, somehow they got all the Civil War ones but missed the Arthur Ashe one, go figure.

I think you're the one stuck in the 18th century. Classic reverse discrimination gibberish with no basis in fact.

PS thanks to CNI for trying to inject some rationality and intelligence into a thread in desperate need of it - but (as I suspect you quickly realized), you're wasting your time.

[cityhopper]

Richmond suffers from similar mid-city problems. I would not wholly blame a "lack of diversity" as one of them, per se. I work in personal finance and held such a position while I lived in Richmond. Based on my personal observations and viewing personal portfolios of people who lived/worked in the area here are some conclusions I have come too... Racism and prejudices are something you are going to experience anywhere, that said...

1. Richmond is divided socially by class first, financially, race and/or ethnicity last.
2. Most unskilled, undereducated, poor residents seem to be native to the Greater Richmond metro area.
3. Richmond City services are awful - mainly schools, police department, adult training programs, rehabilitation and/or jumpt start programs.

While aesthically and historically I loved Richmond, more resources are allocated to preserve history rather than the use solve today's issues and be innovative to address tomorrow's problems. Again, it goes back to one being only as strong as its weakest link.

I think its a bit too far to say an AA should not move to Richmond. I think the better suggestion is that an unskilled, undereducated person (applicable to any ethnicity) should not expect a good start in Richmond. It's not a startover, make a new opportunity type of city. I have never felt a level of "Old South" in Richmond; yet, at the same time I have never carried myself in such a manner where someone would feel comfortable to present themselves in such an ignorant manner. I suggest OP come to SC, AL, or GA and you will really experience that type of mentality--with no apologies.

Richmond has room to improve, I'd focus on the social issues first. Diversity isn't holding Richmond back...let's try imblalanced school districts, corrupt politicians and politics, homelessness, under utilitized human capital, low wages, low spectrum of career options, massive layoffs, et al.

[Paul Hammond]

Richmond is Richmond. Some people love to hate it, others love it greatly. That should tell you a lot.