Drove through SW Hou today...I witnessed pretty stunning poverty

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by Callo

People don't mind living with people that are different, as long as there's also a lot of people that are like them as well.

That sounds like a line from Animal Farm.

[modster]

Originally Posted by Callo

People don't mind living with people that are different, as long as there's also a lot of people that are like them as well. It's only when the balance shifts against them that things get unpleasant. That's the whole reason white flight even exists.

Okay, fair enough, although I do think balances can shift without it being "against" anybody.

What I don't understand then, is when somebody gets on here and asks about good African American neighborhoods the first ones to flame them are the "average white suburbanites". You would think there would be a little more empathy if many of them have similar beliefs to what you posted, which unfortunately I bet plenty do. If it so "unpleasant" to live in an area where you are not the majority, well, is this something allowed white folks and no one else? I know people jump up with "well if I asked about a WHITE neighborhood..." As if it were tit-for-tat. It isn't in my opinion. Typically white folk are not looked upon as some sort of "threat" or whatever to a nice neighborhood. Blacks, regardless of education and success, unfortunately often times still are (by some people). The neighbors can be accepted in the average white suburb, (where their white neighbors will congratulate themselves on their ethnic tolerance), and they continue to be accepting of them so long as they are there in small doses. Let too many people darker than them move in, be it Doctors, Lawyers, whatever, and we all know what happens. We all know that even in 2009 white flight still exists. I don't think anyone has to have the concept explained to them, everyone knows what it is whether they loathe it or approve of it. Ever heard of black-flight? I haven't.

This issue is something African Americans have a pretty high chance of having to deal with, (at least in certain areas), that whites generally don't, that is why it is my opinion that it is not "tit for tat."

Don't get me wrong, I don't really think asking for an area based on ANY racial makeup is really 100% right. Labeling areas by race serves no purpose and in an international & diverse city like Houston it is more often than not inaccurate when anyone tries to apply those labels.

I apologize for rambling, but on a forum littered with posts that range from thinly-veiled racism to full-throttle didn't even bother veiling anything, I just felt the need. I hope people understand that by pointing out the elephant in the room I am by no means endorsing or validating the white flight mentality.

No one has to agree with me. If people want to see things the way they want to see things, more power to them, they are entitled to think and feel however they want. It's a free country.

[Oildog]

All animals are equal but some are more equal than others...

[Callo]

If I had to interpret the quote today, it would be something like "all animals are equal, but certain animal's actions and society make them seem less equal."

The world is so pathetically predictable.