Conservative Chicago? (Waukegan, Evanston, Champaign: catholic schools, colleges, live in)

[Win lose or draw]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

So it is racist if people want to live around people like themselves? We would have no nations or ethic groups if people did not gravitate towards people like themselves.

Having a desire to live near people of your own race/ethnic group is not racist. However, NOT wanting other races or ethnic groups around you is racist. One is inclusion, the other is exclusion. I want to live with people of my own race, along with people of other races.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Attrill

It is racist to view race as being an important part of what makes someone like yourself. I'm a white middle aged guy and I know plenty of Black, Hispanic, and Asian people who are much more like me than many white middle aged guys I know.

Right. I do want to live near people I think I share some general values with, but skin tone/ethnic background isn't & wasn't a criteria.

Hell, when I moved on my block there was one other "white" guy (I put that in quotes as he always insisted was Greek). But I certainly have more in common with my Guatemalan neighbor across the street and fellow late 30s Filipino parents next door than I do with a guy who is of roughly my genetic makeup but who is a flaming teabagger living in Tennessee. Same thing with your random hipster-type, zilch in common.

And just to clarify, no, I certainly do not approve of the idea of black people who "only want to live with black people," but I definitely question whether these people actually exist in any meaningful number.

Educated black folks who have parents who remember redlining, Bernie Epton's "Before it's too late!" fearmongering campaign, MLK's rather unkind reception by many white ethnic groups may certainly have a healthy deal of skepticism about white people moving in their neighborhoods. Given that history, I sympathize.

And the black street gang element most likely does not take kindly to white folks moving in their neighborhood (unless they are suburbanites buying drugs, of which there are PLENTY), as they want to keep the status quo. But they are not in any way a fair representation of your average black person.

I really think some of you just need more regular interaction with normal, hardworking family-oriented black folks. They are the majority in my experience, they just don't get the media coverage.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Win lose or draw

Having a desire to live near people of your own race/ethnic group is not racist. However, NOT wanting other races or ethnic groups around you is racist. One is inclusion, the other is exclusion. I want to live with people of my own race, along with people of other races.

also well put.

[Caldus]

I disagree with the St. Louis comment. I tend to view St. Louis (meaning downtown and immediate areas) as more liberal than conservative myself. Taxes may be lower but if you live anywhere near downtown it tends to be more liberal from my experiences so far. For example, the neighborhood I currently live in is close to downtown and is very gay-friendly (although I am not gay myself).

[j33]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

I really think some of you just need more regular interaction with normal, hardworking family-oriented black folks. They are the majority in my experience, they just don't get the media coverage.

Growing up in the south-suburbs I cannot agree more. Thank you for posting.

[summer22]

Originally Posted by Swandaddy

That said, it sounds like social conservative is more important to you than fiscal conservative. Another area to research/consider might be northwest Indiana.

He might like Porter County, perhaps Valparaiso. The whole town council is Republican. Some are more socially concerned than others; I've had a good experience talking with one of the council reps and found we have some values in common even though I'm decidedly not Republican.

I lived in Chesterton for three years - Chesterton too is very conservative, but it has, I think, more of a balanced political feel. The towns in the Duneland area are fiscally managed very well, and its just really a place where you feel like the government works. That's what I learned to appreciate while I lived there.

Lake County: More Democratic than Porter County... but southern Lake would have more conservative/protectionist people. There's definitely an invisible wall between the south and north county as far as politics and outlook. People on both sides seem to speak their mind there.

I think Will County Illinois (Lockport, Orland Park) has a pretty conservative feel to it too. Much more than it used to. Aging baby boomers protecting their wealth and "family values", I guess.

[summer22]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

I really think some of you just need more regular interaction with normal, hardworking family-oriented black folks. They are the majority in my experience, they just don't get the media coverage.

The teachers in my high school who were African-American men, were the kindest, most down-to-earth, approachable and easy to talk to, in the whole school. I still remember that and appreciate it.

[Savoir Faire]

The conservative scene in Chicago is very small, and the conservatives you do find are different than Bible belt conservatives. You don't have to drive far however, any direction you drive in Illinois for 90 minutes outside of Chicago will be pretty conservative, for the most part.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by summer22

The teachers in my high school who were African-American men, were the kindest, most down-to-earth, approachable and easy to talk to, in the whole school. I still remember that and appreciate it.

Funny you mention that, as I decided to go to St. Ignatius almost solely due to watching a Physics teacher named (I kid you not) "Dr. Love" when I was in 8th grade and checking out the school with a family friend who was a junior. I was thrilled to have him as a teacher my freshman year, just a first-class person on all counts.

[summer22]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Funny you mention that, as I decided to go to St. Ignatius almost solely due to watching a Physics teacher named (I kid you not) "Dr. Love" when I was in 8th grade and checking out the school with a family friend who was a junior. I was thrilled to have him as a teacher my freshman year, just a first-class person on all counts.

That's the one Catholic school I didn't visit, maybe its too bad I didn't. I had a pretty good experience at Whitney Young. Definitely lots of good teachers (academically), and most of them had a lot of personality and heart.