Detroit Racism??? (Warren, Redford, Eastpointe: insurance, house, neighborhood)

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by OhEdo

I've seen you make other positive posts, pirate_lafitte, so I am not going to rip you open on this, but the key to your message (and Maxine3's reply) is that you admit that it is "from what [you] have been informed." My perspective is first person. I am a white person living in Detroit and have never experienced any reverse racism. Now I agree that there is still a lot of latent racism going both ways, but to the extent it doesn't come to the surface does it really matter? The good honest hardworking black people of this city, and there are a hell of a lot more of those than the drug-dealing murderers, are happy to have the diversity and economic contribution. Particularly in the nicer neighborhoods such as Boston-Edison, Palmer Woods and Indian Village, which are majority black, there is a high sense of community regardless of race/ethnicity.

Yeah, on occasion I get funny looks when I am the only non-black person in a store somewhere, but it is more of the "I wonder what he is doing here" kind of look as opposed to a "go home cracker" sort of look; in other words I never feel threatened. And if I go to a primarily black enterntainment spot like a little R&B club somewhere, the looks I get are more of a "welcome to our world" look and the positive attention my friends and I receive can border on the embarrassing. The music scene in the many fine jazz and blues joints in the city really seem to iron out the differences, where a 50-50 or 60-40 crowd all just get into the groove and enjoy the music.

Maybe I am wrong> I have only heard. I haven't been to Detroit for myself. I just wanted to help the OP.

[OhEdo]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Maybe I am wrong> I have only heard. I haven't been to Detroit for myself. I just wanted to help the OP.

That's cool. Like I said I know you don't just go around making scathing random posts. Detroit's got issues, and racism is one of them, but it ain't that bad.

[Nearborn]

Once again, look at the numbers of applications by race for city jobs. Then look at test scores and the numbers hired. Also look at the types of contracts awarded and to whom they're awarded, why, and the qualifications of those bidding on the contracts and then we can have an honest dialogue about "reverse racism in the City of Detroit".

The institutional racism you're likely to find in the City of Detroit does not manifest itself in bar owners kicking paying white customers out of the jazz club or intimidating them back to the suburbs.

[OhEdo]

Originally Posted by Nearborn

Once again, look at the numbers of applications by race for city jobs. Then look at test scores and the numbers hired. Also look at the types of contracts awarded and to whom they're awarded, why, and the qualifications of those bidding on the contracts and then we can have an honest dialogue about "reverse racism in the City of Detroit".

The institutional racism you're likely to find in the City of Detroit does not manifest itself in bar owners kicking paying white customers out of the jazz club or intimidating them back to the suburbs.

You may have a point there, but I am not a business owner who bids on city contracts. I was simply describing my personal experience.

In any case, I think we are all in agreement that the mayor and certain members of the city council need to go.

[Shrewsbury Road]

If bu detroit you mean inner city detroit than most likely, people really don't discriminate in Detroit publicly unless you give racial slur fist, but that wouldn't make sense anyway. If your talking about outer suburbs Detroit, than being a white male you would be generally excepted, not saying that african-americans are typically subject to racism in the suburban area, for the most part they're not.

[wizfourfam]

While searching for my Niece's graduation ceremony info on WSU's website, I found this link:

African-American commencement celebrates culture, achievement

In on Apr 28, 2009

The Spotlight on African American Graduates Ceremony is aimed at illuminating positive African-American role models at Wayne State. It will be held Saturday, May 2, with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. at McGregor Conference Center followed by a ceremony in the Community Arts Auditorium.

All graduating seniors are welcome to participate. This year's theme is "A Cultural Celebration of Academic Achievement."

The annual event provides an informal atmosphere that can be more accommodating to the graduates’ families and friends than the traditional commencement ceremony. Because the event is smaller, it allows participating graduates a chance to be more involved, which is difficult in the university's larger ceremony, according to Maxine G. Hudgins, counselor, Office of Academic Pathways for Excellence (APEX).

The commencemment is sponsored by SPECIAL (Students Promoting Education, Community Service and an Interest in an African Legacy); Department of Africana Studies; APEX; McNair Scholars Program; Wayne State University Organization of Black Alumni (OBA); and the Greater Detroit Association of Black Social Workers.

More about SPECIAL
SPECIAL has three main goals:

to promote Africana Studies (AFS) as a major and encourage higher learning;

to provide community service such as volunteerism and mentorship programs; and

to help shape careers in AFS-related fields.

This was the only "separate" ceremony indicated besides the usual "cattle calls" and obviously ok'd by admin.

[zakian]

Originally Posted by owego

I have been hearing a lot about detroits racism in many posts so I just had one question. I am a white male who has always been interested in
Detroit, but from what I hear would I be accepted in Detroit?

No sweat. Buy on the east side. The blacks are blowing each other away.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by owego

I have been hearing a lot about detroits racism in many posts so I just had one question. I am a white male who has always been interested in
Detroit, but from what I hear would I be accepted in Detroit?

Racism in Detroit--YES

Accepted in Detroit--NOT as a resident---only as a TEMPORARY visitor and until you stop spending money in Detroit.

[Coldjensens]

Just stay away fromt he City council and you should not have much problem. Lots of white people live downtown, and aside fromt eh council comments, I have never heard any complaints from the people I know who live downtown.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by wizfourfam

While searching for my Niece's graduation ceremony info on WSU's website, I found this link:

African-American commencement celebrates culture, achievement

In on Apr 28, 2009

The Spotlight on African American Graduates Ceremony is aimed at illuminating positive African-American role models at Wayne State. It will be held Saturday, May 2, with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. at McGregor Conference Center followed by a ceremony in the Community Arts Auditorium.

All graduating seniors are welcome to participate. This year's theme is "A Cultural Celebration of Academic Achievement."

The annual event provides an informal atmosphere that can be more accommodating to the graduates’ families and friends than the traditional commencement ceremony. Because the event is smaller, it allows participating graduates a chance to be more involved, which is difficult in the university's larger ceremony, according to Maxine G. Hudgins, counselor, Office of Academic Pathways for Excellence (APEX).

The commencemment is sponsored by SPECIAL (Students Promoting Education, Community Service and an Interest in an African Legacy); Department of Africana Studies; APEX; McNair Scholars Program; Wayne State University Organization of Black Alumni (OBA); and the Greater Detroit Association of Black Social Workers.

More about SPECIAL
SPECIAL has three main goals:

to promote Africana Studies (AFS) as a major and encourage higher learning;

to provide community service such as volunteerism and mentorship programs; and

to help shape careers in AFS-related fields.

This was the only "separate" ceremony indicated besides the usual "cattle calls" and obviously ok'd by admin.

I think if you are honest for a second, it is talking about African American achievement. Considering the issues the predominately Black Detroit Public schools have had and issues many mostly Black school districts have had in terms of academic achievement, this is a ceremony that shows another side of the Black community in terms of academics that many do not get to see. It's not about doing something at the expense of others, but about celebrating achievement in a way that isn't seen in terms of Blacks and education. That's what I got out of that announcment and I think that it is ironic how people want Blacks to handle their own business, but at the same time when they celebrate their culture or achievement, it is seen by some in a negative light. It's almost like a no win situation, but you can't satisfy everyone, I guess.

Here's a similar situation at MSU:http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...9/ai_85880303/