[flu189]

Gypsy, even though mentioning minorities can appear to be stepping on a land mine in this age of political correctness gone wild it is true that their affiliation and activities in the most serious gangs is highest. It's not our fault that gang operations have not gotten the message to follow the rule of diversity and eaual opportunity. Again, those who live in denial and/or have not firsthand experienced the threat of what gang activity can do to a community need to get better educated. When it comes to my families direct safety the facts, not wishful perceptions will dictate how to deal with the problem or threat.

[Antwain]

Gangs? In Vermont? More like Snow in Arizona. I've lived in St. Albans for a few months but my wife was born here and aside from the wannabe's, you'd be hard pressed to find some gang activity here; that is, unless you're in that type of crowd in which case, you're probably in the gang.


I just had to post here because to think that Vermont has that kind of stuff is shocking to me.

[68vette]

Originally Posted by Antwain

Gangs? In Vermont? More like Snow in Arizona. I've lived in St. Albans for a few months but my wife was born here and aside from the wannabe's, you'd be hard pressed to find some gang activity here; that is, unless you're in that type of crowd in which case, you're probably in the gang.


I just had to post here because to think that Vermont has that kind of stuff is shocking to me.

It may be shocking but there have been gangs coming or trying to settle in towns like Rutland(the Latin Kings fron Ct and NY). Who would have thought rural Iowa would have gang problems. MS-13 and many others are spreading like Cancer. For them it's a buisness. Vermont is prime for the picking. We want what they are selling(drugs). Vermont already has one of the highest Heroin rates in the country Heroin Treatment Admissions Increase: 1993-1999

If you look at gangs who are in rural areas you will notice that they aren't the stereotypical black or hispanic gang members. Most if not all are white. Gangs aren't going to hang out a flag and say "here I am". They are going to lay low and off the radar until there is competition.

[pvjd]

When I lived in Rutland about 5 years ago, there was a knock-off of a gang that wore a light color shade of blue, kind of a powder blue or baby blue color. Are they still around?

[KoZmiC NinJa]

Originally Posted by 68vette

I Vermont already has one of the highest Heroin rates in the country Heroin Treatment Admissions Increase: 1993-1999

If you look at gangs who are in rural areas you will notice that they aren't the stereotypical black or hispanic gang members. Most if not all are white. Gangs aren't going to hang out a flag and say "here I am". They are going to lay low and off the radar until there is competition.

Heroin is HUGE in Rutland. Very strange that a place
has a bigger heroin problem than crack.
Also, Rutland without a doubt, has the most intolerant and racist
population of anywhere I have ever lived. Im quite sure that any
minority that moved into Rutland, Wallingford. Clarendon or any
other central/south town would know they would be under constant
surveillance from their 'neighbors'.

[pvjd]

When I lived in Rutland there were a few African Americans and hispanics, none of which were born there. I didn't really here any racist attitudes, but I am sure it exists. I think for the most part blacks and hispanics don't enjoy Vermont--it doesn't culturally speak to them. Most of them seemed to miss home, and seemed to be bored. Can't say I blamed them. Did you know Luis Guzman lives in Vermont?

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by pvjd

When I lived in Rutland there were a few African Americans and hispanics, none of which were born there. I didn't really here any racist attitudes, but I am sure it exists. I think for the most part blacks and hispanics don't enjoy Vermont--it doesn't culturally speak to them. Most of them seemed to miss home, and seemed to be bored. Can't say I blamed them. Did you know Luis Guzman lives in Vermont?

Do you really want to make a generalization like this, (your third sentence)pvjd? I think it's (at best) unsupportable. At best it's true about every person who resides elsewhere...which makes it essentially meaningless...

[arel]

"I think for the most part blacks and hispanics don't enjoy Vermont--it doesn't culturally speak to them. Most of them seemed to miss home, and seemed to be bored. Can't say I blamed them."

pvjd, your post appeared well-intentioned, but I don't understand how you can say what other people felt without asking them. It is not for you to decide what speaks to whom.

Sorry. I have to say this. I worked in Bedford Stuyvesant for almost 4 years and my caseload was almost 100% black. Mostly African American, with a few Caribbeans and Hispanics. Right now, as well, I have many black and some Hispanic clients.

It drives me up the wall to hear people speak of "they", "them" and what "they" want, as if an entire, diverse group of people shares the same mentality, and, at that, one which is to be defined by others. "They" are not objects to be categorized. "They" are people. "They" are individuals, with individual experiences, feelings, ideas and life trajectories.

It is incrededibly presumptuous to, in effect, speak for others and decide what "they" want. It is not necessarily racist, but when I have heard this kind of talk, it has practically always been in a racist context.

I hope I have not hurt your feelings by writing this, but I grew up listening to this kind of talk at people's dinner tables. It upset me then, and it upsets me now.

[pvjd]

Whatever, it's just my observation and first-hand accounts with non-whites in Vermont. I am not on here to debate or validate myself, because nobody on here knows anyone from a bar of soap in the first place so in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter that much to me. I lived in Vermont for five years with my South African ex-wife, son and 2 stepsons. I can only speak from our experiences, but Vermont did not seem to offer much cultural diversity and I have heard complaints from non-Vermonters and non-whites regarding that. If you are offended by this, could it be because you are taking yourselves a bit too seriously perhaps? I do have other posts, if you are curious about my random babbling.

[looking4home]

arel, you are looking at this from the perspective of a social worker, which isn't fair to others who are just "regular" people making observations. Vermont is a not a very ethnically diverse state. Saying that minorities might not feel comnfortable here, or that "they" might not like it, is perfectly okay. What - did you want the poster to name every single minority/ethnic groups he could think of to illustrate his point? And you are obviously concerned about crime/gang activity as you started this thread, and are always talking about being fearful of this type of thing and want out of NYC, so I think it's a little hypocritical to play the liberal social worker who takes offense at any perceived slight thought to be directed at minority groups.