What's up with people in Chicago (rental car, rental, neighborhoods)

[DipGrant]

I am an African American male and I think I know subtle/covert racism when I see. I currently live in a city that is predominantly white and I rarely get cues of racism. Whats going on in this city where whenever a black man crosses peoples path they seem so edgy. Things like asking for ID twice after already being checked in twice, from getting strange looks from people during a date with a woman who was white, too drug store managers following me around. Check this out, during a recent trip to the gym I went to my rental car to put some things in the back. One white women was just about to leave, then just stopped and was staring at me for a couple minutes. She went back to the gym and had one of the staff members escort her to her car which was parked near my car.

This all happened in the popular trendy north side neighborhoods. Is there a APB put out on individual black men, because I think residents who reside there need to get a wake up call. Not every young black male is going to mug you and are part of a flash mob.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by DipGrant

I am an African American male and I think I know subtle/covert racism when I see. I currently live in a city that is predominantly white and I rarely get cues of racism. Whats going on in this city where whenever a black man crosses peoples path they seem so edgy. Things like asking for ID for after I already checked in twice, from strangers looks from people during a date with a woman who was white, too drug store managers following me around. Check this out, during a recent trip to the gym I went to my rental car to put something's in the back. One white women was just about to leave, then just stopped and was staring at me for a couple minutes. She went back to the gym and had one of the staff members escort her to her car which was parked near my car.

This all happened in the popular trendy north side neighborhoods. Is there a APB put out on individual black men, because I think residents who reside there need to get a wake up call. Not every young black male is going to mug you and are apart of a flash mob.

What neighborhoods are you in specifically? I have African American friends who almost never complain about this type of stuff (every once in awhile they do). Yeah, sometimes they cross paths with an old lady who clutches her bag for no reason, but maybe they aren't going to the same areas you are or something. A lot depends on how you present yourself, and sometimes it doesn't even matter how you present yourself to some people as they'll always think of your ethnicity first and all the stereotypes associated with it.

Some of the things that happened to you sound messed up, but how often do these happen? Is it just every once in awhile or is it every day or every other day type of thing? I have these types of things happen to me sometimes just because of my perceived ethnicity, but it's not a lot, so I don't let it get to me. I know some people are set in their ways no matter what.

[DipGrant]

Originally Posted by marothisu

What neighborhoods are you in specifically? I have African American friends who almost never complain about this type of stuff (every once in awhile they do). Yeah, sometimes they cross paths with an old lady who clutches her bag for no reason, but maybe they aren't going to the same areas you are or something. A lot depends on how you present yourself, and sometimes it doesn't even matter how you present yourself to some people as they'll always think of your ethnicity first and all the stereotypes associated with it.

Some of the things that happened to you sound messed up, but how often do these happen? Is it just every once in awhile or is it every day or every other day type of thing? I have these types of things happen to me sometimes just because of my perceived ethnicity, but it's not a lot, so I don't let it get to me. I know some people are set in their ways no matter what.

I said the popular trendy neighborhoods, LP, WP, Lakeview. Not from white people, but everyone even black women who work in these neighborhood. Like they have not seen a young black man before....what the heck is going on. This is my hometown and I don't remember it being so tense when it comes to black men. These are not old folks, these are people around my age, 30's or 40's

[glass_of_merlot]

I think it is all in your head to be honest.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by DipGrant

I said the popular trendy neighborhoods, LP, WP, Lakeview. Not from white people, but everyone even black women who work in these neighborhood. Like they have not seen a young black man before....what the heck is going on. This is my hometown and I don't remember it being so tense when it comes to black men. These are not old folks, these are people around my age, 30's or 40's

I think you're thinking too hard and attributing things to this. I can see how the woman being escorted to her car and whatever is weird, but some of the other stuff like being ID'd numerous times? That happens to tons of people regardless of their race. It happens to me and my friends of varying races a lot. Unless you look like a thug or something, I wouldn't be too worried about it. I would think you're actually thinking about this too much and attributing everything to this when not everything might be what it seems to you.

[DoneWithDallas]

By me stating this the fit might hit the shan but, it's my honest opinion, and I believe it was stated in a few other threads but..

Racism is still around because other races fuel it. There is no African American to me.. There's only american. I don't call my self Spanish American. If you're born here, you're an American regardless of color, culture, or religion. I don't discriminate, I dislike everyone but I get annoyed with the constant idea of racism. Trayvon martin for instance. Us white people are not out to get you, or to belittle you, suppress you, or whatever the case may be. racism is still there because certain races still believe us white folk might look at you in a way you don't like, or a way you might take the wrong way. Come to Dallas where the white are the minority.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by DoneWithDallas

Racism is still around because other races fuel it.

I'm a white person who has to say that this is the most ridiculous, racist thing I've ever heard. This mentality is why racism is still around. OP, please know that not all of us think this way.

Also, OP, I would try some different neighborhoods. Unfortunately places like WP, LP, and LV are often (not always, but often) chosen by white people who are only wanting to live around other white people. White people who value diversity (i.e. aren't scared of anyone who isn't white) are more likely to choose to live in more diverse neighborhoods.

[DoneWithDallas]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

I'm a white person who has to say that this is the most ridiculous, racist thing I've ever heard. This mentality is why racism is still around. OP, please know that not all of us think this way..

The Op basically insinuated that he was being subtly discriminated against one day or in certain circumstances. That, IMO, is why racism is still around. And for the record I'm not racist.

By you stating that neighborhoods that white people chose to live in because they might want to be around other whites is racist too, dont you think? That's a generalized statement to make saying that white people who "value" diversity are more likely to chose diverse neighborhoods. The poor man shouldn't feel the way he does and he certainly shouldnt have to try other neighborhoods to be accepted by a diverse neighborhood rather than a white neighborhood. So, I think its rediculous you suggested for him to try other neighborhoods.

[linicx]

Odd statement.??? Dallas 2010 facts: White and White non-Hispanic is 79.5%, Black 25%, Latino 42.4%.

[DoneWithDallas]

Originally Posted by linicx

Odd statement.??? Dallas 2010 facts: White and White non-Hispanic is 79.5%, Black 25%, Latino 42.4%.

Not sure where you got your stats but those were not the ones I read. And that was 2 years ago. The recent statistics arent published but whites are currently not the overwhelming majority in the Lone Star state: 42 percent of the population are white, non-Hispanics (down from over 50 percent 10 years ago).