Went to a Polish Neighborhood- Are Polish Racist? (live, place)

[Runuova]

Originally Posted by emathias

Good neighborhoods are, by definition, not dangerous.

The areas to avoid are more like west of California (and ESPECIALLY west of Pulaski), east of Austin, and between Grand Avenue and Ogden. There are a few spots in there that aren't too bad, but if you're going to make a generalization, at least those boundaries aren't excluding the entire central and south parts of the city.

Other areas to avoid in general include the area bounded by 43rd, 75th, MLK, and Western. And the area south of 67th and east of the Skyway. And south of 79th between Halsted St and Cottage Grove Ave. I also personally wouldn't spend a lot of time between Clark, Lawrence, Montrose and Lake Shore Drive - that's the one area I've personally seen a shooting happen.

Whew! I made it!

[urza216]

Originally Posted by ChiND

Polish people are definitely racist. I am Polish myself. It is all about perspective and attitude. Poles may feel uncomfortable because Chicago is a large city with a lot of crime and some very crazy people living in it. Obviously, not all Poles are racists. Generally speaking, the younger generations are better than the older ones. My parents came to Chicago 20 years ago and they had to deal with some traumatic stuff when they got here. Drive by shootings were not an uncommon occurrence in neighborhoods that were shared by Polish and Latino neighbors. These types of events can breed distrust among people. It is sad that many of these communities are now becoming more homogeneous (Latino and Polish alike). You have to realize though, that there are Poles and Latinos out there who have gotten past their pre-conceived notions of each other and are friends. I happen to have many friends who are Latinos.

If you are new to the city I would definitely recommend to learn how to "read" people. Put them at ease with your presence if they seem uncomfortable around you. Also, stay away from bad neighborhoods at night. Anything south of North Ave (1600 N) is a no go after hours. Even good neighborhoods can be dangerous

Good luck and enjoy the city.

Wait, what? That's a new one. So DOWNTOWN is a no-go after nightfall? Even Navy Pier? I think our skyline looks the most beautiful at night. Your loss.

Another fantastic view of the skyline is around 11th Street, by the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. If you seriously think downtown is scary after dark, that's your loss, I guess.

[TheSunshineKid]

Unless you're applying for a job, as Thomas Sowell says, "Don't worry about racism."

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I had the same types of interaction with different groups in Chicago.

As a Black man who would often visit restaurant and bars on the northside of Chicago I would run into the same treatment. Sometimes it even would be classified as hostile.

One thing for sure Chicago is one of the most unapologetic racially polarized cities in the country. People tend to live in their own world (neighborhood) and that's OK in their minds.

Just because someone is politically liberal doesn't leave them free from racial or ethnic prejudice. Our nation's most racially segregated cities are the most liberal. I know of people in conservative rural Tennessee who have more interracial interaction than the average Chicagoan.

Being politically liberal has nothing to with racism, a lot of liberals are racist and a lot of uptight politically conservatives are socially liberal like many of the Jewish and Italian people I know.

[Windy City Polak]

I'm a Polish-American from Chicago and trust me: Poles are RACIST. I'm one of the few in my family who doesn't think that blacks are "loud" or that Latinos are "trashy".

[Drover]

Eastern Europeans aren't exactly known for enlightened views on race and ethnicity. Be that as it may, the transition of NW side neighborhoods from Polish to Hispanic has by and large been gradual, orderly, and drama-free.

[TBideon]

Poles are about as racist as blacks and Hispanics are. Some are, some are not.

[ten years after]

thanks windy city polak.. for being totally honest ... you beat me too it... had plenty of hands on dealings ... and no I am not black ,Hispanic, etc. ,etc. they can be some of the rudest SOB"S .. not to mention they sure are stinky..

[PYT]

Originally Posted by probablyimnotsure

Do you wear baggy pants without a belt and have tattoos on your face and neck?

If you present yourself in a respectable way then there shouldn't be a problem.

Gee, way to make assumptions.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by urza216

Wait, what? That's a new one. So DOWNTOWN is a no-go after nightfall? Even Navy Pier? I think our skyline looks the most beautiful at night. Your loss.

Another fantastic view of the skyline is around 11th Street, by the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. If you seriously think downtown is scary after dark, that's your loss, I guess.

I think he meant North Avenue on the west side, but even there, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Little Italy, Tri-Taylor, and Pilsen are all on the west side, south of North Avenue, and pretty nice to very nice.