NPR: Seeking Oakland's Soul in the 'New Oakland' (San Leandro, Needles: condo, neighborhood)

[KeyLimePie2015]

Originally Posted by Nineties Flava

What you're looking for is all over Oakland but frankly you won't find all that many people - black or otherwise - who share your disdain of white folk. And what's more, you'd be fighting an "uphill battle" so to speak... Whites are moving into Oakland right now, not out.

I never stated that I have a disdain for whites, but I've always preferred to associate with blacks and other minorities, because that's what I am comfortable with. Again, I'm simply uncomfortable around whites, because whites are unfamiliar, since I've never had any white friends or associates.

[KeyLimePie2015]

Originally Posted by kttam186290

That's hard to find in the Bay Area, let alone California even... try Atlanta, GA; Las Vegas, NV; Phoenix, AZ or Dallas, TX

Almost all of California's black middle class have flighted out to Nevada, Arizona or Southern U.S. states, leaving behind the very rich and the poor.

I'm in the DC metro area, but I hate the weather here during the winter months. I may just stay put, because there's a sizable number of middle class blacks in the area, but I really like Oakland. I visited a friend there, and I must admit that I loved the hills and the very mild weather.

[kttam186290]

Originally Posted by KeyLimePie2015

I never stated that I have a disdain for whites, but I've always preferred to associate with blacks and other minorities, because that's what I am comfortable with. Again, I'm simply uncomfortable around whites, because whites are unfamiliar, since I've never had any white friends or associates.

I, personally, see nothing wrong with that.

But if you were white and said you wanted to live amongst whites and never had a non-white friend, they'd call you a "racist". Gotta love the obvious double standards in the U.S. now

[kttam186290]

Originally Posted by KeyLimePie2015

I'm in the DC metro area, but I hate the weather here during the winter months. I may just stay put, because there's a sizable number of middle class blacks in the area, but I really like Oakland. I visited a friend there, and I must admit that I loved the mountains and the very mild weather.

Those are hills. You want "mountains", go east of Sacramento!

[KeyLimePie2015]

Originally Posted by Nineties Flava

There are still popular white rappers... Machine Gun Kelly, Yelawolf, Mac Miller, Asher Roth, El-P, etc. are all white. There's also a ton of white producers... If anything, they've been spearheading a lot of the production trends that are big right now (see Clams Casino and Harry Fraud).

Out of curiosity where are you from?

I'm not sure who any of those people are. I prefer blues music, but when I listen to rap, I like Dead Prez and Mos Def.


Dead Prez - "They" Schools - YouTube

[KeyLimePie2015]

Originally Posted by kttam186290

I, personally, see nothing wrong with that.

But if you were white and said you wanted to live amongst whites and never had a non-white friend, they'd call you a "racist". Gotta love the obvious double standards in the U.S. now

I don't think it's racist at all. Most people seek familiarity. It has absolutely nothing to do with racism, because I don't believe that I'm superior to other races. I just prefer to be around like minded black folks, and I really enjoyed my time in Oakland.

[KeyLimePie2015]

Originally Posted by kttam186290

Those are hills. You want "mountains", go east of Sacramento!

Well, it's all contingent on getting a job transfer. My employer doesn't have an office in Sac, so that's out of the question. Plus, Sac is too arid and there's not a lot going on. I prefer OakTOWN!

[Nineties Flava]

Originally Posted by KeyLimePie2015

I never stated that I have a disdain for whites, but I've always preferred to associate with blacks and other minorities, because that's what I am comfortable with. Again, I'm simply uncomfortable around whites, because whites are unfamiliar, since I've never had any white friends or associates.

It came off as disdain for the reason kttam186290 mentioned... if it was flipped ("I'm white and I don't want to live around black people, where should I live?") I would have called it out for the same reason.

To answer your question though, you'd probably be interested in the SE Oakland Hills (predominantly black) since you liked the hills when you visited. It wouldn't be hard to find a one bedroom in your budget. As far as more soulful neighborhoods go though I'd look at Laurel... it's very middle class, diverse and vibrant and the black presence in the surrounding area is large.

[KeyLimePie2015]

Originally Posted by Nineties Flava

It came off as disdain for the reason kttam186290 mentioned... if it was flipped ("I'm white and I don't want to live around black people, where should I live?") I would have called it out for the same reason.

I work around black folks, and my current community is mostly black; that's just what I prefer. I'm not racist, because again, I don't see myself as superior, I just feel a certain comfort around other black folks, that I don't feel around whites.

I wouldn't call a white person racist, if they shared the same viewpoint. Especially if they explained that they do not see themselves as superior, they just feel more comfortable around their own race. Definitely nothing wrong with that.

[Nineties Flava]

Originally Posted by KeyLimePie2015

I work around black folks, and my current community is mostly black; that's just what I prefer. I'm not racist, because again, I don't see myself as superior, I just feel a certain comfort around other black folks, that I don't feel around whites.

I wouldn't call a white person racist, if they shared the same viewpoint. Especially if they explained that they do not see themselves as superior, they just feel more comfortable around their own race. Definitely nothing wrong with that.

I fully understand that - and I have the same preference to a certain degree - but you can make the same point by saying "I want to live in a black neighborhood" as opposed to "I want to avoid living around white people". One comes off as merely a preference and the other comes off as a little racist.