Poll: Would you live in Pennsylvania if it weren't for family roots? (Philadelphia: gated, income)

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by track2514

Never said it did, the poster in this case was claiming that Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were the only non "rasist" areas because that is where all the black people in PA live. I was pointing out that even his flawed statement was incorrect.

Knew two girls when I attended Temple University who were from the Harrisburg area (both right outside of Hershey). They were both very racist lol. I know that's not indicative of the ENTIRE population of the area... but I just thought it was ironic when I was reading the comments about this in this thread.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

Knew two girls when I attended Temple University who were from the Harrisburg area (both right outside of Hershey). They were both very racist lol. I know that's not indicative of the ENTIRE population of the area... but I just thought it was ironic when I was reading the comments about this in this thread.

There are racist people in every area and I was surprised how little diversity there was when I lived in Minnesota, but people seemed very accepting and tolerant of other races. The point in my previous posts was pointing out that just because central PA does not have a high level of diversity, it does not mean that the entire area is racist. Also, there is a big difference between the Harrisburg suburbs and the city itself in terms of diversity and acceptance. I also think many people are surprised how diverse the city of Harrisburg is if they ever get a chance to go to the area.

[bolillo_loco]

Originally Posted by track2514

There are racist people in every area and I was surprised how little diversity there was when I lived in Minnesota, but people seemed very accepting and tolerant of other races. The point in my previous posts was pointing out that just because central PA does not have a high level of diversity, it does not mean that the entire area is racist. Also, there is a big difference between the Harrisburg suburbs and the city itself in terms of diversity and acceptance. I also think many people are surprised how diverse the city of Harrisburg is if they ever get a chance to go to the area.

I agree with both you and Toure, who states he's black. If he indeed is black, I am quite sure that he was discriminated against. Whether he was in a Hispanic section or a white section, I'm sure he faced discrimination. I've seen Hispanics, from all regions of the Caribbean/Antilles, Mexico, Central and South America, including black Latinos, openly discuss and display their hatred of the black man. Moreover, I'm a Spanish speaking white man who's been adopted into their culture, and they often tell me in Spanish how much they hate blacks. This isn't the Latin population trying to get in with whitey because I'm in their world. Furthermore, I've often caught them talking about this while they were unaware of my presents. Hispanic culture hasn't been neutered by the politically correct movement in the same manner it's emasculated whites. Whites also do the exact same thing, albeit it's a bit toned down, but still a problem nonetheless that I wouldn't want to deal with if I were black. Hence, I fully understand why he seems to dislike areas he's spoke of that aren't "diverse." It's simple logic, and to disagree with Toure makes no sense in my opinion.

On the other side of the coin, I've met a lot of whites and Hispanics that view blacks as just another person. Further still, I've met whites and Hispanics that seem to go out of their way to right the wrongs against the black man, which supports the argument of the forum member I've quoted. My only disagreement with track2514 would be that I don't find Harrisburg to be very diverse. We may have the same opinion, but it's the wording I'm not sure of. While I find Harrisburg to have a generous mix of "diverse" people, they're largely segregated based on economic status and predominately skin color. Whether the people choose to live where they do because that's all they can afford or they want to be with others that are of the same skin color doesn't matter because I still consider it segregation.

There's still another side to this proverbial coin, which I brought up in post #41, and that is the fact that the black America, in my experience, has been the worst offender of racism I've seen to date.

Not all of this is outright racism and hating another because their skin color is different. There are a lot of people that don't like others based on culture. Many people get lumped into the "racist crowd" whey they in fact just cannot stand the culture of others who just so happen to be a different skin tone. For the truly racist, culture is simply confirmation bias and icing on the racism cake they find so tasty.

I personally cannot stand black American vernacular. When I hear blacks affecting their ghetto lexicon, in their gaudy attire, and basing their pride on laughable vain customs as they shuck and jive with each other on the stoop of a rundown home in Allison Hill, Harrisburg, murder, death, and mayhem run through my mind because I'd love nothing more than to rid the planet of them. Why do I feel so strongly about this? It's simple. Like Toure, who lived/visited areas dominated by whites, I, a white man, lived in an all black section section of Allison Hill, Harrisburg, so based on my experiences with different cultures and races, I fully understand why he doesn't like areas that lie west of Philly and east of Pittsburgh. It's simple commonsense. Where I might differ from Toure is that the racism perpetrated against me by black America has forever tainted my views about them. I can only hope that white/Hispanic America hasn't done the same to him.

The bottom line for all this racism debate is that nobody ever wants to admit there's a problem or that they have a problem themselves, and using anecdotal evidence to show that there are people that get along doesn't make the reality of racism any more palpable. All of us discriminate to some degree against others based on sex, age, skin color, hair texture, political views, religion, class/social status, income, sexual preference, marital status, and all things that make up our culture and make us human. In this sense, Pennsylvania has absolutely nothing on any region of the world. The only thing that will change whether or not you will like Pennsylvania regarding what was recently brought up would be whether you fit the average demographic of rural Pennsylvania.

As far as staying on the topic starter's original theme, I've already addressed this in post #8 of this thread.

Cheers and thanks for reading,
bolillo

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by bolillo_loco

On the other side of the coin, I've met a lot of whites and Hispanics that view blacks as just another person. Further still, I've met whites and Hispanics that seem to go out of their way to right the wrongs against the black man, which supports the argument of the forum member I've quoted. My only disagreement with track2514 would be that I don't find Harrisburg to be very diverse. We may have the same opinion, but it's the wording I'm not sure of. While I find Harrisburg to have a generous mix of "diverse" people, they're largely segregated based on economic status and predominately skin color. Whether the people choose to live where they do because that's all they can afford or they want to be with others that are of the same skin color doesn't matter because I still consider it segregation.

I see what you are saying and agree with most everything you have posted. However, I was not commenting on segregation and many cities regardless of their level of diversity are still largely segregated. In other words, my previous statements are that Harrisburg is a racially diverse city based on the amount (both number and percentage) of non-white people living in the city. I was not commenting on the segregation of the area and many lists I have seen have often listed Philadelphia as one of the most segregated cities in the U.S. I believe it was #6 on the list I posted below:
America's 10 Most Segregated Cities

I am not saying that I believe Philadelphia is more segregated than Harrisburg, but it is surprising to see how segregated it is when compared to other U.S. cities.

[Truth11]

I would not live there Sam I am...I would not live there sick I am

[pman]

Originally Posted by track2514

I see what you are saying and agree with most everything you have posted. However, I was not commenting on segregation and many cities regardless of their level of diversity are still largely segregated. In other words, my previous statements are that Harrisburg is a racially diverse city based on the amount (both number and percentage) of non-white people living in the city. I was not commenting on the segregation of the area and many lists I have seen have often listed Philadelphia as one of the most segregated cities in the U.S. I believe it was #6 on the list I posted below:
America's 10 Most Segregated Cities

I am not saying that I believe Philadelphia is more segregated than Harrisburg, but it is surprising to see how segregated it is when compared to other U.S. cities.

really, surprising compares to other cities lik ny and cleveland on that list?
http://m.theatlanticcities.com/housi...ikely-be/5290/

[bigh110]

ya gotta get on down to the florida keys in the cold wintertime and hang tough just south of philly in the spring/summertime!!

[pghdude28]

Nope and I'm planning to find my way out in the next couple of years. Don't get me wrong, PA has beautiful terrain with all the mountains and rivers. Truly amazing. But the economy is terrible. PA's gov't is not only corrupt, but resists change so we can prosper in the 21st century. PennDOT is an absolute joke. Just look at all the crumbling infrastructure. Lastly, the weather is atrocious - gloomy with very rare sunny days.

[pman]

Originally Posted by pghdude28

Nope and I'm planning to find my way out in the next couple of years. Don't get me wrong, PA has beautiful terrain with all the mountains and rivers. Truly amazing. But the economy is terrible. PA's gov't is not only corrupt, but resists change so we can prosper in the 21st century. PennDOT is an absolute joke. Just look at all the crumbling infrastructure. Lastly, the weather is atrocious - gloomy with very rare sunny days.

sepa actually gets a good amount of sun...thats the trouble with generalizing about the whole state.

[pghdude28]

Originally Posted by pman

sepa actually gets a good amount of sun...thats the trouble with generalizing about the whole state.

Philly is the exception. Most of the state is gray, gray, gray. Regardless of weather, everything else isn't too promising. Rather dismal economy (although there's worse states). I'd probably appreciate this state better if I moved and came to visit every once in awhile. It's good to get out and see the world.