Portland to Pittsburgh (area, Hispanic, square)

[creepsinc]

I've gotta comment on the hypocrisy on this forum. I can't read a topic posted here without people pissing and moaning about how there are too many white people in Pittsburgh, in the guise of the oft-repeated "not diverse" argument. Then somebody dares to suggest that Hispanic culture might not be for them (I certainly don't have a problem with it, and I never noticed a lot of Mexicans in Portland, but whatever) and they immediately get branded as racist. Maybe it's just me, but it seemed like he was commenting on the Northwest's much-lauded "diversity", which absolutely doesn't exist. And Portland, outside of downtown, is plenty trashy too.

The guy wanted to know about Pittsburgh neighborhoods, not how much it sucks here because somebody was forced to move here against their will. Not naming names, but it gets old after awhile.

[Katarina Witt]

Well, s/he did say this:

Originally Posted by fejman

Thanks for all the responses.

As for racial diversity, we really don't have that in Portland. We have our token blacks, the token Asian, the token Indian and far too many Hispanics. But those are thought and observations for another forum.

Then went on to "explain" with this:

As to my snide comment about Hispanics, as a native Oregon for the past 43 years I've have seen first hand a transformation that I don't see as being positive. When every day you open the paper or listen to the news and see the majority of crimes being committed by people with Hispanic surnames, that's just an observation NOT A RACIAL COMMENT.

I think both of the above are racist.

[aveojohn]

Racist or not,its a fact!

[pman]

Originally Posted by fejman

As for racial diversity, we really don't have that in Portland. We have our token blacks, the token Asian, the token Indian and far too many Hispanics. But those are thought and observations for another forum.

As of 2000, there are 529,121 people residing in the city, organized into 223,737 households and 118,356 families. The population density is 3,939.2 people per square mile (1,521/km²). There are 237,307 housing units at an average density of 1,766.7/sq mi (682.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 77.91% White, 6.64% African American, 6.33% Asian, 1.06% Native American, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 3.55% from other races, and 4.15% from two or more races. 6.81% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.3% were of German, 8.9% Irish and 8.8% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 83.3% spoke English, 5.6% Spanish, 2.0% Vietnamese and 1.3% Russian as their first language.

Portland, Oregon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally Posted by fejman

As to my snide comment about Hispanics, as a native Oregon for the past 43 years I've have seen first hand a transformation that I don't see as being positive. When every day you open the paper or listen to the news and see the majority of crimes being committed by people with Hispanic surnames, that's just an observation NOT A RACIAL COMMENT.

no, it's definitely stereotyping. you're taking your perception, true or not, in Portland and and assuming that it applies to the whole world. that, my friend, is exactly what racism is, or at least how it starts. In Philadelphia, where most of my experiences come from, hispanics aren't involved in crimes that much. most crimes you see on the news are committed by blacks. Hispanics tend to keep to themselves, probably for fear they'll run into people like you.

Originally Posted by creepsinc

Then somebody dares to suggest that Hispanic culture might not be for them (I certainly don't have a problem with it, and I never noticed a lot of Mexicans in Portland, but whatever) and they immediately get branded as racist.

hispanics aren't mexican, but mexicans are hispanics. hispanics can be anyone from latin countries and of any race, though frequently mixed race. It may not have been racist, but it was certainly ignorant. Probably like some anglo-saxons once said about the stupid poles, bloody papists, and greasy Italians flooding the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.

still, creeps, to your last comment, pittsburgh is actually less white than Portland

The largest groups in terms of race were 67.63% White, 27.12% African American, 2.75% Asian, and 1.32% Hispanic (of any race)

Pittsburgh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
here's Philadelphia, as a reference

As of the 2004 Census estimations, there were 1,463,281 people, 658,799 housing units, and the racial makeup of the city was 43.2% African American, 45.0% White, 5.5% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.8% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.5% of the population.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia

it's pretty obvious portland isn't nearly as diverse. it's mainly know for progressive/leftist views and white trash, back east.

[Staash]

Originally Posted by Katiana

I think both of the above are racist.

Christ, people come here whining all the time about how Pittsburgh has far too many white people, or not enough "diversity". If the OP's statement was considered racist, logic demands that those statements be considered racist as well.

Where's the outrage, Katiana?

[Staash]

Originally Posted by pman

no, it's definitely stereotyping. you're taking your perception, true or not, in Portland and and assuming that it applies to the whole world. that, my friend, is exactly what racism is, or at least how it starts. In Philadelphia, where most of my experiences come from, hispanics aren't involved in crimes that much. most crimes you see on the news are committed by blacks. Hispanics tend to keep to themselves, probably for fear they'll run into people like you.

Gee, I thought the OP said that he felt Portland had far too many Hispanics. I didn't realize that we were talking about the merits of Hispanics in Philadelphia.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Staash

Gee, I thought the OP said that he felt Portland had far too many Hispanics. I didn't realize that we were talking about the merits of Hispanics in Philadelphia.

Why would I talk about hispanics in portland? he implied hispanics commit crimes, wouldn't that mean hispanics in Philadelphia? most of my experience is there and it's contrary to the OP, therefore relevant. And who mentioned the merits of hispanics? please read before posting.

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by pman

Portland, Oregon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


no, it's definitely stereotyping. you're taking your perception, true or not, in Portland and and assuming that it applies to the whole world. that, my friend, is exactly what racism is, or at least how it starts. In Philadelphia, where most of my experiences come from, hispanics aren't involved in crimes that much. most crimes you see on the news are committed by blacks. Hispanics tend to keep to themselves, probably for fear they'll run into people like you.


hispanics aren't mexican, but mexicans are hispanics. hispanics can be anyone from latin countries and of any race, though frequently mixed race. It may not have been racist, but it was certainly ignorant. Probably like some anglo-saxons once said about the stupid poles, bloody papists, and greasy Italians flooding the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.

still, creeps, to your last comment, pittsburgh is actually less white than Portland

Pittsburgh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
here's Philadelphia, as a reference

Philadelphia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

it's pretty obvious portland isn't nearly as diverse. it's mainly know for progressive/leftist views and white trash, back east.

White trash? That's a racist term.


Edit- I also wasn't really using Hispanic/Mexican interchangebly. Most Hispanics on the West Coast come from Mexico. Correct me if I'm wrong, I really don't feel like pulling up the statistics. Apologies to all the Salvadoreans and Colombians and Venezuelans and Peruvians and people from Guatemala.

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by Staash

Christ, people come here whining all the time about how Pittsburgh has far too many white people, or not enough "diversity". If the OP's statement was considered racist, logic demands that those statements be considered racist as well.

Where's the outrage, Katiana?

Precisely the point of my post. "Diversity" is such a smokescreen. How about diversity of thought?

[mybeautifulpittsburgh]

Regent Square has lovely homes with mature landscaping. It's close to Frick Park. There is a small commercial district with coffee shop, Square One Cafe, deli, Noodle Hut , and other businesses. There is a "art" movie house that shows indies and retro flicks. Art Galleries, antiques shop. A short drive away is Edgewood Town Center, which has Giant Eagle Supermarket, and other shops, including dollar store, radio shack, K-mart, etc. Also close by is Constuction Junction, which has all kinds of recycled materials if you are re doing a place..or just need a quick office chair. A food co - op also nearby. Many young professionals, I see folks walking up and down this neighborhood with kids, dogs, and each other. This is less traffic-ky than Squirrel Hill, a little quieter. You must check it out, along with Point Breeze, both are really, really lovely...there are many nice places in the city though..