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I am trying to understand why so many Blacks live in crowded, urban, big cities. I went to Mississippi about 2 months ago and I saw a lot of "country" Black people in some of the small towns and although there is some poverty in that part of the country, I feel like the quality of life in a small town like Greenwood, MS is way better than living in a ghetto in South Central LA or Detroit.
I understand a lot of Blacks left places like MS, and AL because they were looking for better opportunities in places like Chicago, Detroit, etc but the quality of life in a big city ghetto is horrible.
I have an African American coworker and I always try to invite him to do stuff like listen to country music, go fishing and hunting and it seems like he has a certain resistance to this more "country" lifestyle. I understand maybe racism is part of the reason why so many Blacks feel more comfortable living in a city versus living out in the country but I did not see a lot of "racial conflict" in small towns in MS.
Jobs, public transportation, proximity to other blacks. This won't be popular here, but blacks were used to diversify the old working class white neighborhoods in the NorthEast to bring down property value, so it could be easily bought up then changed back into yuppie areas.
Oh, god, another thread with someone searching a 100 level anthro course on the American Negro.
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Originally Posted by Repubocrat
I am trying to understand why so many Blacks live in crowded, urban, big cities. I went to Mississippi about 2 months ago and I saw a lot of "country" Black people in some of the small towns and although there is some poverty in that part of the country, I feel like the quality of life in a small town like Greenwood, MS is way better than living in a ghetto in South Central LA or Detroit.
You have obviously never been black and lived in Greenwood Mississippi.
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I understand a lot of Blacks left places like MS, and AL because they were looking for better opportunities in places like Chicago, Detroit, etc but the quality of life in a big city ghetto is horrible.
So says you.
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I have an African American coworker and I always try to invite him to do stuff like listen to country music, go fishing and hunting and it seems like he has a certain resistance to this more "country" lifestyle.
Perhaps it is the company that he will have to keep that is the real turnoff.
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I understand maybe racism is part of the reason why so many Blacks feel more comfortable living in a city versus living out in the country but I did not see a lot of "racial conflict" in small towns in MS.
What, were you expecting burning crosses, and discounted sheets with pre-cut eye holes...
I'm sorry, but if anyone honestly thought that I would be possible to make you understand, I would spend the time trying, but I've grown to know your way of thinking and I've got a flight to London to catch tomorrow.
Well, I don't think that your coworkers reluctance to enjoy the activities you mention has as much to do with race as it does culture. City people, generally speaking, do not like to go fishing and hunting and as far as country music - you either love it or hate it, there is no in-between there.
Regarding the race issue. I think a lot of people who live in the ghetto was born and raised there and do not know anything different. The idea of being in unfamiliar territory is frightening (anyone), and they do not have the skills to cope with country life. The black ghetto people are probably third or fourth generation city-dwellers and I would be surprised if they even knew that there was any other way to live.
Besides, rural "country folk" are a minority in this country. 93 percent of the population lives in cities that are larger than 100,000 people. Unless you have grown up in the country and appreciate it for what it is, there is no reason for someone (a young, black person especially) to want to go there. They understand the ghetto - how it works, and what's more it is home to them. The only home they have ever known.
Why can't they just prefer cities. Why does it have to be a "race thing?" I haven't seen a post, why do whites prefer the suburbs? Because some whites like the city, some the suburbs, and some like me the rural setting.
I have an African American coworker and I always try to invite him to do stuff like listen to country music, go fishing and hunting and it seems like he has a certain resistance to this more "country" lifestyle. I understand maybe racism is part of the reason why so many Blacks feel more comfortable living in a city versus living out in the country but I did not see a lot of "racial conflict" in small towns in MS.
Do you invite your white coworkers to specifically go and listen to country music? Do you actually say "Hey man, want to go listen to some country music?"
I guess, what I don't understand is why some Blacks would choose to live in a big city ghetto versus living in a smaller or maybe mid-sized city. Jobs and opportunities? Are you kidding? Look at unemployment rates for blacks in cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, Buffalo, etc, it is incredibly high!
I guess, what I don't understand is why some Blacks would choose to live in a big city ghetto versus living in a smaller or maybe mid-sized city. Jobs and opportunities? Are you kidding? Look at unemployment rates for blacks in cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, Buffalo, etc, it is incredibly high!
Honestly, most of us are just more comfortable in an urban environment, even if there is crime, pollution, and the like. Going out in the country, you become isolated, and if some **** goes down, it's pretty much your word against theirs. Strength in numbers, to put it bluntly. I am from the northwestern part of Indiana, which is basically where the city of Gary is, and as bad as it is, I would honestly feel safer there than being out in the boonies at night. If someone is going to murder me, at least they're open about it.
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