MLK Day and Utah (West Valley City, Provo: neighborhoods, school, live in)

[TheSphinx95]

Im a middle aged black male professional from Atlanta, who relocated to Utah about a couple months ago. In the wake of MLK day, residing in the state of Utah has made me realize that racism is alive and well. MLK's dream of people treating others based on the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin is something most people who live in this state dont follow.

I could give a number of example of covert, subtle racism I faced, but I could careless. I learned a long time ago that people fear what they dont understand. However when your subconscious actions or beliefs are taking a hit on my livelihood, thats where I will take a stand and speak out.

Before I arrived, I received several quotes to change a time belt and water pump on my car from several mechanics in Atlanta. They all gave me an estimate that it would be anywhere from 300-500 dollars. I told myself, let me just make this long distance road trip and get it fixed while im in Utah.

I work in Utah county, so I started getting several quotes from mechanics in Provo, Lehi, American Fork, Draper and Sandy. They all quoted me anywhere from 750 to 1400 dollars!!!! I tried a couple mechanincs in SLC and it was around that same range. I tried bargaining with them and they wouldnt give in, often looking and appearing very irritated when I attempted to negotiate with them.

A friend who I work with (who is white) told me that youre going to deal with racist people in this state, and he suggested I try some shops in West Valley City. If not he will try to help me out with a mechanic willing to replace my time belt and water pump for a decent price.

So I made the drive out to West Valley City, and went to a mechanical shop that was minority owned. He did a quick diagnostic and told me he doesnt have an exact price but it should definitely be under 500 dollars. Talk about a relief, that was the lowest price I had. I went to another minority owned shop who said they would do it for 300 dollars, but I chose to go with the mechanic who priced me at under 500 because I read some great reviews on google and yelp about his shop. At the end the overall cost was less than 460 dollars to do everything and he even gave me a good deal on some tires as well.

I told him about my experience, and he said he can relate. They would rather not work on a black mans car so they tried to price me out. He said he is not black, but they obviously did that because of the color of my skin. This is what he said " if some hot blonde white chick came in, do you think they would tell her 1400 dollars for a water pump and time belt".

I have as feeling that most of you who choose to reply would rather try to dismiss my theory, rather than listen and do something about it. Basically you will dodge -- if Black people complain about racism, then they can be ignored because they will never be satisfied anyway. So you will turn a deaf ear instead of . . . I don't know . . . LISTENING? Judging them as individuals and looking at the complaint fairly, instead of assuming they were part of your mythical hoard of Black whiners?

The funny thing is that I was monitoring this board before I moved here and it appeared that the majority of people were telling other posters not to move to West Valley City and it is a terrible place. After my experience, I took my money to several business in that area. I didnt see any drug dealer or gang bangers roaming around. The only difference was that compared to many other towns and neighborhoods in Utah, was that there were more people of color. I laughed and told myself that says it all on why people would be telling other white people not to move to West Valley City. Self segregation...

Racism is alive and well. The only way it will end is if white people are aware of it, ignoring the problem is not the solution.

[UTES]

I am not a minority but have seen what the OP references occur in Utah.

When I was a cop, a Black co-worker of mine used to talk about getting a DWB while in his car - that's Driving While Black for those of you who don't know. Anyway, he'd get pulled over at least once a month - though he was a good driver. I've been with him while both of us were off-duty and in his private car when he was pulled over. It really opened my eyes.

Now, in spite of the above - things are getting better. Up until two years ago my neighborhood Boy Scouts troop would not recognize MLK day. They would put up all those holiday lawn flags for people who supported the troop - except on MLK's holiday. It was a good feeling to look out across the lawns yesterday and see all the flags out. Yes, a small victory - but a victory representing progress nonetheless.

Up until four years ago Utah's legislature held "business as usual" meetings on MLK as a sign of defiance. That went out the door when the PR resulting from it finally caused change.

It's up to us to ensure things continue to progress. Utah may be one of the slowest nations to embrace progressive ideas - but it does happen IF we keep the pressure on.

Bill

[darlenasnyder]

Originally Posted by TheSphinx95

Im a middle aged black male professional from Atlanta, who relocated to Utah about a couple months ago. In the wake of MLK day, residing in the state of Utah has made me realize that racism is alive and well. MLK's dream of people treating others based on the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin is something most people who live in this state dont follow.

I could give a number of example of covert, subtle racism I faced, but I could careless. I learned a long time ago that people fear what they dont understand. However when your subconscious actions or beliefs are taking a hit on my livelihood, thats where I will take a stand and speak out.

Before I arrived, I received several quotes to change a time belt and water pump on my car from several mechanics in Atlanta. They all gave me an estimate that it would be anywhere from 300-500 dollars. I told myself, let me just make this long distance road trip and get it fixed while im in Utah.

I work in Utah county, so I started getting several quotes from mechanics in Provo, Lehi, American Fork, Draper and Sandy. They all quoted me anywhere from 750 to 1400 dollars!!!! I tried a couple mechanincs in SLC and it was around that same range. I tried bargaining with them and they wouldnt give in, often looking and appearing very irritated when I attempted to negotiate with them.

A friend who I work with (who is white) told me that youre going to deal with racist people in this state, and he suggested I try some shops in West Valley City. If not he will try to help me out with a mechanic willing to replace my time belt and water pump for a decent price.

So I made the drive out to West Valley City, and went to a mechanical shop that was minority owned. He did a quick diagnostic and told me he doesnt have an exact price but it should definitely be under 500 dollars. Talk about a relief, that was the lowest price I had. I went to another minority owned shop who said they would do it for 300 dollars, but I chose to go with the mechanic who priced me at under 500 because I read some great reviews on google and yelp about his shop. At the end the overall cost was less than 460 dollars to do everything and he even gave me a good deal on some tires as well.

I told him about my experience, and he said he can relate. They would rather not work on a black mans car so they tried to price me out. He said he is not black, but they obviously did that because of the color of my skin. This is what he said " if some hot blonde white chick came in, do you think they would tell her 1400 dollars for a water pump and time belt".

I have as feeling that most of you who choose to reply would rather try to dismiss my theory, rather than listen and do something about it. Basically you will dodge -- if Black people complain about racism, then they can be ignored because they will never be satisfied anyway. So you will turn a deaf ear instead of . . . I don't know . . . LISTENING? Judging them as individuals and looking at the complaint fairly, instead of assuming they were part of your mythical hoard of Black whiners?

The funny thing is that I was monitoring this board before I moved here and it appeared that the majority of people were telling other posters not to move to West Valley City and it is a terrible place. After my experience, I took my money to several business in that area. I didnt see any drug dealer or gang bangers roaming around. The only difference was that compared to many other towns and neighborhoods in Utah, was that there were more people of color. I laughed and told myself that says it all on why people would be telling other white people not to move to West Valley City. Self segregation...

Racism is alive and well. The only way it will end is if white people are aware of it, ignoring the problem is not the solution.

Thank you for your post, the information was extremely helpful and now I know where to get work done to my car in West Valley City, Utah.

[CaptainCrape]

Well, that might just be your problem right there, Provo. In Provo, unless you are a White Mormon, you aren't treated so well. In fact I would venture to guess it has more to do with religion than race. Typically African Americans are not LDS (Mormon), so people assume that because you aren't LDS, you aren't a good person and shouldn't be treated fairly. And I notice you went to West Valley City for your car. That City is less LDS and generally has a higher minority population. (Particularly Latino and Tongan). IT might be race, it might be religion, but if I were you, I would avoid the Provo area and stick to Salt Lake Valley and Ogden Valley.

[Katzpur]

This thread's nearly two years old, folks. What is it with new posters that they can't be bothered to check on how old a thread is before putting in their 2¢ worth. Try posting on a thread that anybody still gives a damn about.

[mzlezz925]

kr. I am an AA woman...I love to hear this...good stuff to know...thanx for sharing

[Judahmourn]

I went to trucking school there. The Racsim is definitely real. Keep in mind that Descemdats of Esau will always hate Descemdats of Jacob.