[Scorpyo]

A couple of things. At age 6 I lived in Hell's Kitchen (Manhattan). Probably the world's largest melting pot. My best friend was Wayne Everette, who happened to be black. I didn't even know the definition of racism or prejudice. When I was 15 I learned about prejudice. I learned that I was suppose to hate, not blacks but, Italians given that I was Irish (my grandparents were from Ireland). I was not born with that prejudice, my environment taught me it. I guess I dishonored my Irish heritage as I married an Italian. So, unless your family or environment taught you to be racist , you weren't. Secondly, why are there so few black residents in TV? Someone offered an opinion on that question that made sense to me. TV is predominately white because we're selfish. Yep, I was taken back by that statement as well. Blacks and Hispanics seem to be more family oriented. They tend to stay where their families are located. We whites, on the other hand, feel we've worked for what we have and we want to enjoy it. So, we move to a place like Disneyland for Seniors. We have no problem leaving family behind. After all, we can visit them or they can visit us (provided we give them our address - which I'm still contemplating). That opinion made sense to me. It might not make sense to you. That's your prerogative. Maybe the word selfish is too harsh. Maybe we're just compassionate and we don't want to burden our families as we get older. Yeah, that's the ticket. Lastly, blacks and Dems are dissuaded from purchasing here. Yeah right. Show me a real estate broker or agent that dissuades anyone from buying here and I'll show you a stupid unemployed real estate person. Sure after you move here there are some that treat you rudely. That's just their nature - old and crabby. Take me for instance. I'm sure the ones that treat me rudely are doing so because I'm so good looking. They're just jealous. Hey, I can have my opinions too!

[jbrown132]

I went to high school 1965-1968 and also grew you in a middle class neighborhood. People were not rich, just average families. in my high school we had one black student an in my senior year he was elected class president so in younger people back then I think there was very little racism. Just my opinion but today as people become more divided it creates more racism than it cures.

[kevincycle]

Always enjoy another white people asking other white people if they are racist. Suggestion ask your pastor or priest or religious leader to partner with an established black church. Get to know them and then ask them that question. Ask them about their experience with law enforcement and other government agencies and then ask yourself what your response would be in the same situation.

[billethkid]

Most of us already do treat others as we would like to be treated.

I believe racists perpetuate ongoing discussions about racism.

And why do they choose to always use the criminally involved treatment......while ignoring the views and reality of the average blacks in America.

[transplanted]

[QUOTE=Madelaine Amee;1812653]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

It seems to me that we are all more comfortable with people who are like us and we are more comfortable with.

In NYC the best neighborhoods for raising children were predominantly Italian, Irish and Jewish. We all had family values and took care of each others kids.

Lived in Queens for many years and sold two coops. Had many people come and look when we sold but do not remember any Blacks coming.

Does that make anyone racist? I dont think so.

Let me ask another question. Why are there so few black families here?

There is a growing middle class among Blacks, and many could afford to live here. Why are they not here?[/QUOTE]

This may answer your question A New Wave of Prominent African-American Retirees is Enriching and Changing Our City. | Sarasota Magazine

Sarasota makes them welcome, welcomes their big money. We do not. We try to run off anyone who is not a member of a certain political party. We really do not measure up to the type of environment the wealthy black people are looking for in ordere to retire comfortably and among like minded individuals.

Odd - I didn't encounter anyone talking to me about politics at all when I was considering moving here. Not a single encounter was it even mentioned. And no one I've played mahjong with, sewed with, gone to Cricut classes with, etc., has EVER mentioned any politics to me. I saw a few flags flying when driving down some main roads - didn't care - either party could fly their flags - so no harm, no foul - no different to me than seeing state flags in some yards.

If I've ever been excluded from anything because of my party, I'm unaware of it. And after I moved here, fall of 2018, I was so happy to see yards lined with small American flags for various holidays - all I could think of was 'I'm so happy to be somewhere where people love and honor their country' ... having moved here from the cesspool of political nonsense, DC. I turned off the news and have never been so stress free.

My perception is that unless you go looking for it, you don't have to feel badly about your party - any party. You're not going to change a single vote, so why stress out and make enemies over it? So I'm not sure how anyone is being run off, unless they choose to attend a rally where you are screamed at, called names, goaded, etc., by the other party. If you're looking to be involved in and wound up over politics, then by all means, you should probably choose to live where your political beliefs are in the majority. Otherwise, live wherever you want and go about your business and enjoy your life - there is SO much more to life and retirement than politics.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Most of us already do treat others as we would like to be treated.

I believe racists perpetuate ongoing discussions about racism.

And why do they choose to always use the criminally involved treatment......while ignoring the views and reality of the average blacks in America.

Interesting how the martyrs are typically people with a rap sheet a mile long.

[Stu from NYC]

[QUOTE=transplanted;1813010]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

Odd - I didn't encounter anyone talking to me about politics at all when I was considering moving here. Not a single encounter was it even mentioned. And no one I've played mahjong with, sewed with, gone to Cricut classes with, etc., has EVER mentioned any politics to me. I saw a few flags flying when driving down some main roads - didn't care - either party could fly their flags - so no harm, no foul - no different to me than seeing state flags in some yards.

If I've ever been excluded from anything because of my party, I'm unaware of it. And after I moved here, fall of 2018, I was so happy to see yards lined with small American flags for various holidays - all I could think of was 'I'm so happy to be somewhere where people love and honor their country' ... having moved here from the cesspool of political nonsense, DC. I turned off the news and have never been so stress free.

My perception is that unless you go looking for it, you don't have to feel badly about your party - any party. You're not going to change a single vote, so why stress out and make enemies over it? So I'm not sure how anyone is being run off, unless they choose to attend a rally where you are screamed at, called names, goaded, etc., by the other party. If you're looking to be involved in and wound up over politics, then by all means, you should probably choose to live where your political beliefs are in the majority. Otherwise, live wherever you want and go about your business and enjoy your life - there is SO much more to life and retirement than politics.

Very well said

[newgirl]

Marketing by the developer is why it is so white here. They only advertise to upper end white areas.

[billethkid]

[QUOTE=transplanted;1813010]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

Odd - I didn't encounter anyone talking to me about politics at all when I was considering moving here. Not a single encounter was it even mentioned. And no one I've played mahjong with, sewed with, gone to Cricut classes with, etc., has EVER mentioned any politics to me. I saw a few flags flying when driving down some main roads - didn't care - either party could fly their flags - so no harm, no foul - no different to me than seeing state flags in some yards.

If I've ever been excluded from anything because of my party, I'm unaware of it. And after I moved here, fall of 2018, I was so happy to see yards lined with small American flags for various holidays - all I could think of was 'I'm so happy to be somewhere where people love and honor their country' ... having moved here from the cesspool of political nonsense, DC. I turned off the news and have never been so stress free.

My perception is that unless you go looking for it, you don't have to feel badly about your party - any party. You're not going to change a single vote, so why stress out and make enemies over it? So I'm not sure how anyone is being run off, unless they choose to attend a rally where you are screamed at, called names, goaded, etc., by the other party. If you're looking to be involved in and wound up over politics, then by all means, you should probably choose to live where your political beliefs are in the majority. Otherwise, live wherever you want and go about your business and enjoy your life - there is SO much more to life and retirement than politics.

Thank you for posting what has been and continues to be our experience.....which I believe is the majority experience!

[BlackhawksFan]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

I was raised in a white middle class (Low) neighborhood in a suburb of Erie , Pa..

Went to a school system with a senior class of 133 in 1966 and only one black student. I remember her and recall that her name was Elizabeth XXXX( I vividly recall but don't feel right about revealing). She was there only for our senior year as I recollect.)

I never approached her to introduce myself or say Hi, but at the time I never approached many of the girls. Do not know how the other guys and girls treated her.

Now, if I saw someone outside the norm being unattended, I. would go out of my way to include.

Was I a racist in 1966?

I don't think you were, you were probably a shy, nervous young man that's more likely why you didn't reach out.

[rmd2]

Originally Posted by newgirl

Marketing by the developer is why it is so white here. They only advertise to upper end white areas.

Not true. The developer has always had big ads on the TV everywhere. I'm assuming most people have a TV.

[tedquick]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

I was raised in a white middle class (Low) neighborhood in a suburb of Erie , Pa..

Went to a school system with a senior class of 133 in 1966 and only one black student. I remember her and recall that her name was Elizabeth XXXX( I vividly recall but don't feel right about revealing). She was there only for our senior year as I recollect.)

I never approached her to introduce myself or say Hi, but at the time I never approached many of the girls. Do not know how the other guys and girls treated her.

Now, if I saw someone outside the norm being unattended, I. would go out of my way to include.

Was I a racist in 1966?

Nope, that doesn’t suggest racism to me. In 1964, as a freshman in college, six or eight of us were sitting around a table in the student union. I made reference to the “f . . in’ n . . .ers" and suddenly wished I were dead. One of my best friends, sitting to my immediate right, was as black as they come. From my reddist of red faces I apologized. He laughed and said, “That’s not a problem. You have your white honkey a$$holes”. We were both right. So, were either one of us racists or simply speaking the truth? I believe it to be the latter.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by tedquick

Nope, that doesn’t suggest racism to me. In 1964, as a freshman in college, six or eight of us were sitting around a table in the student union. I made reference to the “f . . in’ n . . .ers" and suddenly wished I were dead. One of my best friends, sitting to my immediate right, was as black as they come. From my reddist of red faces I apologized. He laughed and said, “That’s not a problem. You have your white honkey a$$holes”. We were both right. So, were either one of us racists or simply speaking the truth? I believe it to be the latter.

There are good and bad from all races and sometimes stuff just slips out.

Does get confusing when Blacks call each other by the N word.

[LoisR]

A change of heart causes a change of mind.

[MaxCat]

Every human being -- regardless of their race, upbringing, country of origin, age, gender, etc. -- has racial bias within them based upon their experiences in the world growing up. It is a condition of being human. The key is for each of us -- when facing a situation that may be unfamiliar, different, prone to racist reactions, etc. -- is to try to ask ourselves if our pre-determined racial biases might be unconsciously causing us to react and behave in what would be considered a "racist" way or not. Racism and being racist are two completely different things. We all have the potential to act in a racist way in a certain situation if we don't act with self-awareness, but it doesn't mean we are an overall "bad" or "racist" person. And it is a constant effort to try and act in a non-racist manner -- sometimes we will do well with it and sometimes we might slip up and be sorry for it. Slipping up sometimes -- that, too, is a condition of being human.