Syracuse or Hartford, CT (Manlius, Cazenovia: to rent, mortgage, credit)
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White Priveledge: Unpacking the Invisbible Knapsack" (McIntosh, P. White Priviledge: essentail Readings on the other side of racism, Worth Publishers, U of New Jersey, 2005. ISBN 0-716-8733-4) It's pg 109. I
McIntosh:
"So I have come to see white priveldge as invisble knapsack of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was
"meant" to remain oblivious. White priveledge is like a weightlesss knaopsack of special prvisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools and blank checks"
Quoted.
Recall Eddie Murphies SNL skit with the white people that gave each other loans and money B/c Eddie was dressed in white face?????? (circa 1983?)
I'm sorry...this isn't "nice" to say in mixed company. I've created a faux paus..I'm terribly, terribly, sorry. My goodness, your slip--your racist slip--is showing Syracuse. Pull your skirt down...
If you think CNY is bad and racist why not try Kansas City on for size. These people are among the most ignorant, superfluous, bigoted, discriminatory and paranoid that I've ever seen. I've had a friend in Ohio, a former cop call these people NAZIS. A friend from Alabama also described these people as NAZIS. A guy from Georgia called this place the dreggs. CNY ain't as bad as this area.
Syracuse residents are SAINTS compared to the many racist homophobic jerks in my own area. There is currently a major controversy brewing in Wilkes-Barre, PA in which a city police officer and a group of residents shouted racial slurs at a mostly African-American performance troupe that was in the city's recent Santa parade. The mayor denounced the acts and welcomed the group back for the city's St. Patrick's Day Parade next Spring, but the children have been so shaken up that they apparently don't want to return. I used to work at Lowe's, and the blue-collar grunts who would come in and joke to me in casual conversation about minorities was sickening. If I didn't have to fear losing my job I would have told off quite a number of them. I still remember when a woman in a Burkha was walking around the store and several people stared, whispered, and/or snickered at her, including one comment about terrorism. As an openly-gay male myself I've been subjected to hate mail, shoves, threats, and am now manic depressive as a result of all of the stress.
For as much as I champion my area's impending renaissance, it is only because I'm grateful that many NEW YORKERS of all people are moving here and bringing their more tolerant, educated, progressive mindsets with them, and I hope they begin to overpower those around here who see no fault in bringing others to fears as they hide behind the Bible (another reason why I'm questioning my faith, by the way, if Christians believe that racism and hate is justified by God).
You should be thanking your lucky stars that you don't live in a WORSE area for minorities.
thanks sgoldie. i'll have to check it out. scrantonwilkes. . . .sorry about you're experiences. It's a shame that people are so ignorant. The only thing worse than truly ignorant people are those that think they are above it, push their views, and end up being more ignorant than the rest. *rolls eyes* I've had some pretty bad experiences in my life, but it's made me stronger. It's sad some of the things that have happened to our family. But. . it happened and it made me stronger. There are racists, homophobes, etc everywhere. It's terrible. We're a melting pot my a$$. It's a shame. I've read some of your other posts and seen your photos of towns. You seem like a great guy. Don't let the jerks get to you. :-)
Oh yeah. . . and don't question your faith due to the radicals. There will always be someone telling you that you are wrong for something or other and they will pull out the bible to "back it up." It can mean anything if you skew it that way. I'm not religious, per se, but you can't let some bad apples ruin it for you. Read the bible, get what you want out of it. Make your own positive message and meaning. It should make you feel good, not otracized.
The Syracuse area actually has some really beautiful areas nearby (Finger Lakes, Lake ontario, 1000 Islands), but the Syracuse metro area has suffered greatly in the last 20 years. Much of the manufacturing sector has left...and the city in many areas looks really blighted. Hartford as a city in many places is really bad as well...but the suburban economy is doing better than most of the upstate cities. Best comparing a city like Springfield, MA to Syracuse...they are very similar. The Hartford area is more like Albany albeit more affluent. Upstate has some really nice area...but the cities really have taken a brutal beating in this evolving economy.
While I must admit I am viewing my adopted area though a retirees eyes, and have no input on the job market, I will say that the suburban Syracuse area is as nice as any on my native so-called affluent Long Island, and nicer then most. You take from any place what you put into it. Those arriving with a chip on their shoulders will find someone to knock it off no matter where they go.
Last edited by boomvang; 12-05-2007 at 07:16 PM..
Reason: spelling
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