On racism and feeling in a bit of funk

[jpbollma]

So disclaimer,

I may be a little over emotional with job cuts at work these days.

I am a mid-Michigan resident and an admirer of what is going on in Detroit. For those out of state, Detroit is making a valiant effort to come back as a major American city. More business and renovation is happening in Detroit than in the last 40 years, it is such a positive thing..but whenever I mention wanting to move there I hear the same thing. ( isn't detroit just for blacks). This just reminds me how far we have not moved as a country. for anyone in Michigan you know detroit is diverse and the suburbs were a reaction to the 60's riots..are we ever going to get over this?

What happened to Detroit is a tragedy, but how do we ever really fix situations like this? What really made me wonder is I know democrats who always vote for all liberal bills in front of them but when it comes to Detroit the white liberals I know from there have an instant anger..in other peoples words "it was the fing "n**" you get the point, who started riots and ruined our city". This makes me sooooo sick!!! how can these people be for affirmative action but against the minorities in their own communities? Seriously, I am from northern Bay City MI. My parents would have beat my ass if I talked like this...how did this become okay for Detroit area whites? I realize this is probably an ultra sensitive topic but I really am interested.. especially with Detroit's new comeback.

[midnight]

1. K&R... for discussion... I'm so tired and need to get to bed...

[jpbollma]

3. I really would like to hear either from Detroit residents or people who may have studied this

period in time. If you are form Michigan, there is no escaping this story of the riot and the fear of inner Detroit. I just think the key to prosperity in MI is moving past this but it seems impossible. It's sad.

[mackattack]

2. you can hold racial prejudice regardless of ideology

Look at Ron Paul supporters. Paul, a libertarian, says it's impossible for libertarians to be racist because everything for them is at the personal level---the individual. However, many racists use libertarian ideology to support racism.

We live in a society where stereotypes and social norms are forced on us. I know plenty of liberal whites who like black people as long as they "act white and are part of white culture" (however they wish to define that). But they dont like "ghetto blacks" (again, however they want to define that).

These same people support programs for Appalachia and poor whites. But they dont like the supposed culture of "rednecks" and "hicks."

In short.....umm I guess everyone is a little racist sometimes? Its realizing you are doing it and trying to correct it that matters. You cant help what idea pops into your head, its how you act on that idea that matters. Just like in Harry Potter when Harry had the option of joining the house for the evil kids, but he chose not to--decisions are what matter. As long as your white liberal friends arent trying to keep someone down because of race then I think deep down they are ok. I would just talk to them and tell what their language is indicating and try to get them to chill.

Here is a race free example for me. Growing up protestant it was always believed that the catholics were the drinkers. They loved the booze, right? So when my protestant friends and I drank it was just because we wanted to party. When the catholics drank it was because they are all borderline alcoholics. You realize, "hey wait that's not cool and maybe its just certain behaviors that are bad and the other variables have nothing to do with it."

[jpbollma]

4. I think you are right

Most of my white liberal friends support welfare, universal healthcare, affirmative action act but when it comes to Detroit they bring up these old race fights, I really believe its because of the economic situation...They have grandparents act still living in or around the city and their homes have devaluated for decades and they need an "other" to blame...although as far as the original cause it does seem like the 60's riots were the end for Detroit.

[mackattack]

5. Dropping the N bomb would be a huuuge deal for

me though. But I didnt grow up there so I dont know how stuff is (how people talk about each other about race and how that affects social norms).

The gangs and drugs are a symptom of economic decline, not the cause for it.

Im sure someone here is a scholar of sociology and race or something of that nature.

[jpbollma]

6. I agree

I Haaaate that word and not only a word but blaming a situation on a type of person rather than a set of situations bother me. It is so prevalent here though, unless you grow up in the mid or metro detroit area I don't think you can understand how much racism has played a part. It's sad, but it has ruined MI for a long time in my opinion.

[jpbollma]

7. this is a post on "white flight" that I have heard literally my whole life...

the other things i"ve had thrown at me is fag (because I am gay) and race traitor...ugly words. this is a post I found and even though I hate it, even most Democrats I know agree..http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-white-flight.htm

[HangOnKids]

8. Wow

So sorry you have had this experience. Even your liberal friends and Democrats you know feel badly for you. Really sad. And you are gay too. Wow. Sad.

[dogknob]

9. Because most people who say they are liberals are actually NIMBYs

Not all, but most.

People like to think of themselves as tolerant, generous and fair... and as long as nothing that requires their tolerance, generosity or fairness materializes in their neighborhood, they are...

...but a threat to one's property value trumps all that shit.

Our totally dysfunctional and broken system has got to go.

Passing new laws making it easy to disappear people is an unacceptable means of maintaining the status quo, Mr. President.

[Obamacare]

10. If your white liberal friends are dropping the N-bomb

they might as well vote rethug.lol What is the point in voting for a black president, if they are racist and dropping the n word left and right? I've heard stories like these before. I'm Latino, so I doubt white liberals would use the n-word in a conversation about blacks with me. However, I've heard blacks say they don't trust a lot of white liberals, because they smile in your face, but are racist behind closded doors. Some of my black friends and co-workers say that at least with rethugs, you know who you are dealing with, but a lot white liberals can be hypocrites when it comes to racism. Don't shoot the messenger.