Why do so many people think the "east bay" is a monolithic place? (Oakland: transplants, crime)

[jade408]

Time for a dumb question that has really bothered me for a while.

So I have posted before that I am a semi-native, born in the South Bay, and I moved away as a preteen and came back for college. As a kid we rarely went to other parts of the Bay Area, so I did not have much of a concept or impression of them. I don't remember calling the different areas of the bay as "zones" other than the north bay, but I could be mistaken. Although my dad made the rounds. And I do remember long car rides to other parts of the Bay Area, I really didn't know much about them. My parents are transplants and moved here in adulthood, our family has no California roots. I have a handful of other relatives who came at about the same time as well.

But anyway, back to my point. Going to college, meeting people from other parts if the Bay Area, is where I heard a lot more about these divisions and stereotypes of each area. But what I find is extremely pervasive, is the idea that the entire "east bay" is like Berkeley or Oakland. It is really weird. I have met people for suburban parts of the east bay who preface their statement with "I am from the outer east bay or Far East bay" as if to distance themselves. Or use a completely separately term like Livermore Valley or Tri-Valley. Or even just say Contra Costa County.

Still other people, to vastly stereotype, they tend to be from the Peninsula, who think the entire "east bay" is like Deep East Oakland. Sure there are parts of the greater Bay Area that are more monolithic in form and personality, but oddly the place that is the least monolithic is the mostly likely to be perceived that way. And arguably the east bay actually has the most diverse mix of communities in all of the Bay Area.

So what's the deal everyone, how did this happen? Why is the general perception that all of the east bay is the same?

[LeroyDeshawnJenkins]

Originally Posted by jade408

...
...
...Why is the general perception that all of the east bay is the same?

Same reason why Donald Sterling generalizes certain races/ethnicities. Ignorance.

If you ask people from the South what kind of people live in SF, what do you think they will say and why? Ignorance.

Yes, ignorance exists - fyi. Have you heard of ignorance before?

[Ultrarunner]

Add "East" to anything and the preception is already half way there...

[LeroyDeshawnJenkins]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Add "East" to anything and the preception is already half way there...

East Palo Alto (which does not reside in the East Bay)

how'd i do?

[Natural510]

Since the Bay Area is completely SF-centric, the only East Bay cities most Friscans would consider living (Berkeley, and over the past 10 years Oakland) are the only cities considered "East Bay". It could also be that everywhere not Oakland or Berkeley are considered suburbs, not independant cities.

[twins4lynn]

Originally Posted by jade408

Still other people, to vastly stereotype, they tend to be from the Peninsula, who think the entire "east bay" is like Deep East Oakland. Sure there are parts of the greater Bay Area that are more monolithic in form and personality, but oddly the place that is the least monolithic is the mostly likely to be perceived that way. And arguably the east bay actually has the most diverse mix of communities in all of the Bay Area.

So what's the deal everyone, how did this happen? Why is the general perception that all of the east bay is the same?

Who are these people your speaking of? I'm from SF, live on the peninsula, and I really don't believe anyone i know would feel all of the east bay is the same. Most friends/family have connections to the east bay and it's various cities (friends/family who may live there and they visit), they attend events there from time to time, and while they (and I) may not be familiar with the differences between all east bay cities, they are aware that they are not one and the same.

[LeroyDeshawnJenkins]

OP

1) this never happened
2) it is not the same and it never was

[krudmonk]

Fremont to Antioch, that's like 10 minutes, right?

[04kL4nD]

People tend to look down upon the East Bay because it's mostly cheaper than SF, most of the North Bay, and the Peninsula and it has several less desirable areas with lots of crime (parts of Oakland, Richmond, Hayward, Pittsburgh, etc). I've heard some really snotty remarks from people who live in Lamorinda saying they're afraid to go on the other side of the tunnel (meaning Oakland), and the 680 corridor is super wealthy/exclusive, so they don't want to be affiliated with the inner-East Bay urban cities. Oddly enough, the East Bay is the most populous and diverse region in the Bay Area, both geographically, politically, and demographically, with something to offer for everyone. Snobs will be snobs, I guess. If you paint the entire region with a broad brush, you're really missing out though- it's by far the most eclectic part of the whole Bay Area.

[Ultrarunner]

I've been called a Bridge and Tunnel person by SF residents several times...