Racism in St. Louis

[Rillifane]

I am a mixed race Anglo-Asian and lived in St. Louis for many years. The situations you describe do not surprise me in the least.

There are some truly bizarre beliefs that run through the Black community about Asians including the belief on the part of some that Asians receive government subsidies to buy businesses that are unavailable to Blacks. They beleive this is done for the specific purpose of humiliating Blacks by promoting the opportunities for Asians so that racist Whites can then point to the success of Asians. This weird notion was actually published by one of the Black newspapers back some 20 years ago.

There is little doubt that such fantasies reflect an uneasiness on the part of some Blacks about the success of other minorities, not only all the various Asian ethnic groups but also Jews, Cubans, and even recent African immigrants from other parts of the world.

St. Louis is, indeed, one of the most segregated cities in America and the racial spoils system is completely entrenched. Asians are in the unhappy position of not fitting into either the Black or white camps. When the first real "Minority set aside" program was created, then Mayor Freeman Bosley made no provision for Asians to be included. Bosley was a personal friend and I asked him directly why not. He looked a bit confused and then said, in all sincerity, "Asians aren't a minority."