Chicago Segregation Worries Mixed Race (Oak Park, Assumption: live, park, business)

[Chi-town Native]

I can imagine it would - the good news is that the youngsters are growing up in a time when it's considered normal, so it will take a while to lose the old prejudices, but it's going to happen.

[ajolotl]

I think things look a little more different from the inside. I had a black girlfriend in the 90s. We were denied entry many places -- not sure if it was because of her or us as a couple, but it was weird and creepy as hell the way this was communicated to us. A seen was never made -- it was just a quiet and cryptic comment that was hard to interpret until you got used to it.

On the other hand my friends and family were much more accepting of her than vice versa. It had nothing to do with social class or education levels -- we were very comparable.

Point is that what's appears to be the case from a casual distance might be much less so up close. Still, though, I don't think there are entire neighborhoods in the city where this attitude prevails. Mainly individuals scattered around.

[ajolotl]

Obviously I didn't mean to say "more different". I couldn't let that go.

[ajolotl]

"seen" also. I would like it to be generally accepted that I have basic grammar skills when not typing on a blackberry while walking.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

I think things look a little more different from the inside. I had a black girlfriend in the 90s. We were denied entry many places -- not sure if it was because of her or us as a couple, but it was weird and creepy as hell the way this was communicated to us. A seen was never made -- it was just a quiet and cryptic comment that was hard to interpret until you got used to it.

On the other hand my friends and family were much more accepting of her than vice versa. It had nothing to do with social class or education levels -- we were very comparable.

Point is that what's appears to be the case from a casual distance might be much less so up close. Still, though, I don't think there are entire neighborhoods in the city where this attitude prevails. Mainly individuals scattered around.

sounds completely logical that would be the case - do you think things would be the same 10 years (or however long) later in the same areas?

[ajolotl]

I think much less so, but still more than many people who don't think that way might realize. That is just speculation, though.

[Meloneyd]

No matter what these people say, unless you are in a current interacial relationship and living in the chicagoland area, not downtown, people do look at you. It's not horribly bad, but they do notice. My future husband is white and I'm black. I live in the south loop and he lives in Libertyville, and people usually stare at us no matter where we are. It usually not so bad, sometimes people smile, and sometimes people are overtly rude, especially to him. He's actually having problems people at his job. Someone sent him a text message just today with a picture of a black boy smiling and singing a song about watermelon in fried chicken, and he works downtown in the financial district. This is not a true representation of the city, but the prejudices still do exist here. We are buying a condo in Oak Park and I feel really comfortable and at home there. People don't stare at all. It's a lovely area with very old homes and a cute downtown. You might be able to find a SF detached home in the range if you work with a good REA, but they have very nice condos and townhomes.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

...remember that white is a social construct, not a genetic one, we all came out of Africa.

Even if true (and it cannot be proven that it is) that does not mean we all came from a black ancestor.

I am not saying everyone came from a white one either.

More than likely everyone came from an ancestor that was somewhere in the middle.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Even if true (and it cannot be proven that it is) that does not mean we all came from a black ancestor.

I am not saying everyone came from a white one either.

More than likely everyone came from an ancestor that was somewhere in the middle.

Well the continent is Africa and this was thousands of years ago way before the diversity we have today. I think birth of humans started in East Africa, so yeah its most likely a Black African ancestor.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

...I think birth of humans started in East Africa, so yeah its most likely a Black African ancestor.

How do you know they were "black?