What's up with people in Chicago (Lincoln, Atlanta: safe neighborhoods, school, to live)

[FAReastcoast]

Originally Posted by Chicago South Sider

The median household income for blacks is only $37k in DC? I thought DC had one of the most wealthy black populations in the country. They must all live in the 'burbs.

They live in PG County.

[j_cat]

Originally Posted by FAReastcoast

They live in PG County.

There is also an increasing amount of poverty spilling into PG County, due to the gentrification in DC. The county is one of the most crime-ridden suburban areas in America. Despite all its wealth, it is considered the bad side of town, and with good reason.

If that's a preview of where all metros are headed, then it's a safe bet that we will still have our share of urban woes in the future; they just won't quite be in "urban" locations.

[eli_p]

Night after night we are inundated with stories about young black men beating the hell out of whites, asians, etc etc and you wonder why people are on edge?

No offense OP...but your problem is not with the white lady who asks for an escort to her car. It's with the roving gangs of black youth who seem hell bent on running good people out of the city.

[TheSunshineKid]

Originally Posted by DipGrant

I am an African American male and I think I know subtle/covert racism when I see.

Stop lying to yourself.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by eli_p

Night after night we are inundated with stories about young black men beating the hell out of whites, asians, etc etc and you wonder why people are on edge?

No offense OP...but your problem is not with the white lady who asks for an escort to her car. It's with the roving gangs of black youth who seem hell bent on running good people out of the city.

I think you are over reacting. "night after night". Come on.

I do see there are problems with out a doubt. There is also a problem when one chooses to limit themselves in their social experience because of race. That's just like me judging all white people in lakeview as a racist hillbilly. That wouldn't be fair would it? No. Judging people for who they are is so much easier and healthier.

If one chooses to fear me because of my race, that is fine. Don't get mad when people don't respect your actions.

[SalingerBananafish]

I've lived in the LV/LP for about a year now and I'm Asian-American. I have gotten dirty looks or that condescending "you don't belong here" attitude from some people I've come across while walking around or at work. I've also gotten people who seemed to assume I was really naive or didn't speak English. My overall perception is that there are still alot of ignorant people around and ignorant people do tend to have very strong racial prejudiced notions. I do think it is more prevalent in Chicago than other cities I've lived in and I've lived in California, Seattle, and Omaha. I usually got these reactions around small towns and suburbs, but not so much in the city. So it is different here but I wouldn't say unbearable.

And while I get these attitudes from white people, I also get them from black people, Hispanics, and other Asians. And while I run into these people alot, I've also met some really decent folk or at least people who judge based on more valid qualities. Whenever it happens I just give them a condescending smirk and move on. And my experience hasn't detracted from liking the neighborhood.

Anyway, the fact of the matter is that you don't need these people's approval and with living in the city, you can't really expect everyone you come across to embrace you with open arms. Just meet some people you get along with and the racism becomes less of a personal issue.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by SalingerBananafish

I've lived in the LV/LP for about a year now and I'm Asian-American. I have gotten dirty looks or that condescending "you don't belong here" attitude from some people I've come across while walking around or at work. I've also gotten people who seemed to assume I was really naive or didn't speak English. My overall perception is that there are still alot of ignorant people around and ignorant people do tend to have very strong racial prejudiced notions. I do think it is more prevalent in Chicago than other cities I've lived in and I've lived in California, Seattle, and Omaha. I usually got these reactions around small towns and suburbs, but not so much in the city. So it is different here but I wouldn't say unbearable.

And while I get these attitudes from white people, I also get them from black people, Hispanics, and other Asians. And while I run into these people alot, I've also met some really decent folk or at least people who judge based on more valid qualities. Whenever it happens I just give them a condescending smirk and move on. And my experience hasn't detracted from liking the neighborhood.

Anyway, the fact of the matter is that you don't need these people's approval and with living in the city, you can't really expect everyone you come across to embrace you with open arms. Just meet some people you get along with and the racism becomes less of a personal issue.

You are on point 200%.

Even though I've run into racial issues I was surprised to see, my over all experience in the city has been great.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I think you are over reacting. "night after night". Come on.

I do see there are problems with out a doubt. There is also a problem when one chooses to limit themselves in their social experience because of race. That's just like me judging all white people in lakeview as a racist hillbilly. That wouldn't be fair would it? No. Judging people for who they are is so much easier and healthier.

If one chooses to fear me because of my race, that is fine. Don't get mad when people don't respect your actions.

You might want to square that with the reality of the city's homicide stats. If we have 400 - 500 a year, that is over one a night - not even getting into less tragic violent incidents. While I am as annoyed as the next guy at what my old neighborhood has turned into, you're not paying attention if you think transplants to Lake View are driving the body count that yes, we do all hear about in all forms of media. Every day.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

You might want to square that with the reality of the city's homicide stats. If we have 400 - 500 a year, that is over one a night - not even getting into less tragic violent incidents. While I am as annoyed as the next guy at what my old neighborhood has turned into, you're not paying attention if you think transplants to Lake View are driving the body count that yes, we do all hear about in all forms of media. Every day.

Ok? Is the thread about homicides or what's up with people in some areas of Chicago?

I'm a Black male and most homicides are Black on Black. On the other hand do I fear for my life every time I leave home? No. Because I realize it's mostly gang violence. (I hope I'm addressing your concern).

When was the last time a Black gang bangers shot an innocent White person in LV? No, transplants in LV are not driving up the body count. I don't think that is the subject. If LV ers are concerned with being murdered by Black men, the problem is far deeper than I thought. I think they fear being robbed beaten up and raped. Not murdered!? The fear obviously comes from not being exposed to normal Black people (segregation) and not being informed.

Are you scared of Black because of what you hear (not what you experience)?

[SalingerBananafish]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

You might want to square that with the reality of the city's homicide stats. If we have 400 - 500 a year, that is over one a night - not even getting into less tragic violent incidents. While I am as annoyed as the next guy at what my old neighborhood has turned into, you're not paying attention if you think transplants to Lake View are driving the body count that yes, we do all hear about in all forms of media. Every day.

Mob attacks are relatively rare in the grand scheme of crimes in Chicago, so "night after night" is an over-reaction. Really, those problems and the homicide rate have less to do with race and more to do with angsty low-income class teenagers who grow up in bad neighborhoods and broken homes. The gang violence is a huge problem in Chicago, but really should be recognized from its real causes rather than be passed off as a racial issue. Most black people I've met have jobs and have no intent of robbing or murdering.