[Bella23332]

I live in a suburban area just outside of Washington D.C., in Maryland. I constantly hear that there was substantial 'white flight' in the past as successful blacks moved in. Now the trend is reversing, and whenever I see a white face in the grocery store or on the bus in a black neighborhood, I think, 'What are you doing here? I thought white people didn't want to live among us blacks and immigrants. And when a white homeless person asks me for money, I think, 'I thought white people would never beg black people for anything. I thought you looked down on us too much for that.' I know my way of thinking is bad. What can people tell me to help me correct it?

User Detail :  

Name : Bella23332, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Afro-Caribbean, Immigrant, Religion : Christian, Age : 32, City : Washington, State : DC Country : United States, Occupation : Administrative Assistant, Education level : Technical School, Social class : Middle class, 

[Jay20855]

I think I have a fresh perspective being that I came to the USA knowing nothing of the stereotypes of any racial group and have merely observed the various behaviors: I think probably those involved in white flight have families and those who move into mainly black neighborhoods are younger people looking for cheap rent. When a neighborhood gets expensive, people have to move to a neighboring one that is cheaper. The famous Harlem has fast been becoming popular due to the cheap rents, expansive lofts and close promiximity to the city. But most who move there are young, single people. In regards to people 'looking down' on blacks as you mentioned: I don't think people of any race dislike blacks en masse per se (well, not that I have ever overheard) I think its the behavior of poor-blacks that creates such a bad impression of blacks in general. I live in a mixed neighborhood - but which has a considerable black community and I hate to say it but it is only the black residents who are drunk and disorderly outside the subway, who stand around arguing and fighting, who yell at the local take-out clerks etc - I never witness behavior like this from middle easterners, asians, or hispanics. But I am also aware that this is not indicative of all blacks but just 'ghetto types.' Often bad elements taint the whole group - Nazis behavior forever tainted German people, English soccer hoooligans taint English people, Muslim extremists taint Muslims etc. I guess the only thing you can do is be a good neighbor and prove that not ALL blacks are loud mouthed, belligerent types.

User Detail :  

Name : Jay20855, City : New York, State : NY Country : United States, 

[Jennifer30868]

I think that the most important thing is changing stereotypical thinking is to start looking at people are individuals rather than as part of a particular race. Just because some members of a particular race or ethnic group hold certain beliefs, that doesn't mean that all members of that group hold those beliefs.

User Detail :  

Name : Jennifer30868, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 29, City : San Jose, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : Engineer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Regina]

My small, Southern city is experiencing the same phenomenon. I am a white single woman who bought a house in a neighborhood that was all-white, mostly working class in the 1940s, but almost all black by the 1960s. Now white people like me are moving back in. My house was cute and affordable, and honestly, I just don't want to drive three hours to work. I am comfortable with black people because I went to integrated schools, etc., unlike those in my parents' generation. I love being in a mixed neighborhood. Regarding the white beggar: the street, like the military, is a great equalizer. That beggar does not see your color.

User Detail :  

Name : Regina, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : ex-Episcopalian, Age : 39, City : Columbia, State : SC Country : United States, Occupation : government worker, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Matthew]

Do the same thing enlightened white people do: realize you are prejudiced and change your thoughts to reflect that all people are human and no one is better or less than anyone else. A person's thoughts and actions define them, not their skin tone.

User Detail :  

Name : Matthew, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 45, City : New York, State : NY Country : United States, 

[Tor24187]

I really admire your moral courage. Few people dare to honestly look at their own prejudice and challenge it. Personally, I know I have a very negative image of people from the Middle East, and it bothers me. I think the key to fighting prejudicial thinking is to recognize it when it occurs. I mean, I can't control which negatives images come to mind when I see a group of Arab immigrants on the street, but if I remind myself that they are stereotypical generalizations, I can prevent them from affecting my rational thinking and actions. Having experienced prejudice, I really don't want to treat others that way. I want to see every person as a unique individual, and not judge them by their color, ethnicity, sexuality, gender or religion before getting to know them. But breaking free from society's programming is a constant struggle.

User Detail :  

Name : Tor24187, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Disability : anxiety attacks, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 25, City : Næstved, State : NA Country : Denmark, Occupation : unemployed, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower class, 

[Tara]

When I sometimes ride the bus home from school, there are mostly black people on the bus, but I don't mind. I don't see anything strange or wrong with sitting next to a black person as an equal, and I don't look down on anyone unless their actions give me reason to. Black people should not assume that all whites are racists or white supremacists. I heard on the news a couple of years ago that a study had proven that a higher percentage of black people are prejudiced against whites than whites aginst blacks (this was done by asking opinions and measuring unconscious physiological responses to pictures of the other race). As a young white female, I get tired of people assuming that I'm racist if I'm in a bad mood and look grumpy at someone, or if I'm tired and give inferior service at my job. Believe me, white people get the same version of me that black people or Mexicans or whoever do. Maybe the people you see who are white and don't conform to your idea of what white people think are just people like me.

User Detail :  

Name : Tara, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : 3/4 white 1/4 mexican, Religion : Pagan, Age : 22, City : Raleigh, State : NC Country : United States, Occupation : Bartender, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Marie]

You put it in a nutshell in your last sentence. Your way of thinking is not only bad but you are dooming yourself to stay in that tight little box you have put yourself in. You speak of white flight as having been a 'trend' that is now reversing itself. Do you really think blacks and immigrants who live/shop/do well for themselves are doing so because of a trend? White flight in America happened well before your 32 short years on this earth. I think black and white Americans are finally waking up to themselves and see that we no longer have to live in fear of each other. My advice to you: Travel. Read. Educate yourself. Stop seeing life through ignorance and arrogance. Update your mindset and effect positive change. And if you have or ever have children, teach them the truth and they will do the same.

User Detail :  

Name : Marie, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Buddhist, Age : 47, City : Sydney, State : NA Country : Australia, Education level : 2 Years of College, 

[DaShawn25956]

Not all white people have money to get up and move out when black people move in.

User Detail :  

Name : DaShawn25956, Gender : M, Age : 17, City : Longwood, State : FL Country : United States, Occupation : student, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[l]

realizing your ignorance is a very good thing. In my class there are a couple black people and it is so nice to see just see us all blend together in teams,...carrying on everyday converstaions..no superiority, inferiority; and the judgements are decreasing. I am not sure why it has taken me a while to feel comfortable talking with blacks the way i would to those of my own race...I think I am just paranoid about being offensive to people I don't know well in general. But we should all be treated equally. So if a homeless person is broke then there's no reason why we can't all help eachother out. last week i asked to borrow a Black man's notes...a year ago I am not certain i would have so easily. I am sure you're leading a bright path to open-mindedness and self-exploration. We all have room for improvement! peace

User Detail :  

Name : l, City : newyork, State : NY Country : United States, 

[Richard]

I just want to confirm the experience that occasional bad service to the public has been interpreted as racism. I'm an equal opportunity misanthrope at times but I generally hide it. I also grew up in the Caribbean decades ago as a white minority and I still have unresolved assimilation and resentment issues about how I fit in as a 'quasi-local'-- despite countless friends, contacts, memories-- Class issues seem to loom large, though I've never been well off.

User Detail :  

Name : Richard, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : various, Age : 42, City : Princeton, State : NJ Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Brook]

I also assume that black people automatically assume I'm racist. Therefore whenever giving customer service to a black person, I go out of my way to treat them well even if I'm having a bad day and am treating white customers poorly. This is a prejudice that I tried to stop but always felt bad about causing a customer to think my workplace full of racist employees. I have encountered a very few black customers who truly expect bad service because they are black and have come to the conclusion that there is nothing I can do about it. By few I mean maybe 3 out ot 1000.

User Detail :  

Name : Brook, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 29, City : Memphis, State : TN Country : United States, Occupation : Casino Dealer, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Don B]

We are all raciest it is only the fool who won't admit it to themselves or won't admit it's wrong who is a dangerous to society. I grew up a bigot in a white society and even today I claim to be white even though I am American Indian. You and I know we are wrong and therefor have a chance to change things. I have five children who don't do the things I did because we talked about the rights and wrongs of movies TV shows my feelings and my cigarettes. I raised no bigots or smokers. Sometimes one can't help what they feel but knowing it is wrong is the first step in the right direction.

User Detail :  

Name : Don B, City : Greeley, State : CO Country : United States, 

[P.W]

Isn't ironic that blacks complain about white flight back in the 1950's, yet now when Latinos are moving into the inner cities, it's the blacks that are doing the fleeing?

User Detail :  

Name : P.W, Gender : M, Race : Mexican, Puerto Rican, German, Portuguese, Age : 24, City : Honolulu, State : HI Country : United States, 

[Luca]

Heh, I'm one of those white faces in the grocery store living in a black neighborhood who gets dirty looks from everyone for no good reason other than I'm a different color. Believe me, I'm not giving people dirty looks back or walking around with an attitude...I'm buying milk and lunch meat just like everyone else. It hurts, because I've never done anything to people of different races. Hell, my step-family is African-American! I live in a predominately African-American neighborhood to be closer to my family and because my husband and I purchased the perfect starter home to begin our married life in. I don't know what to tell you other than we're all just people, we all bleed the same, and we're all God's children. It sucks that we live in a society where races still have friction.

User Detail :  

Name : Luca, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 22, City : Lauderdale Lakes, State : FL Country : United States, Occupation : Real Estate, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Author]

Posts