Census 2010: Racial and ethnic diversity in Pittsburgh city proper vs. other cities in the Northeast/Midwest (Philadelphia: 2013, crime)

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Rates of growth of small numbers can be misleading. This is especially true for the Hispanic population. My 2c.

My point exactly. That is one reason I left Pgh., because there was so few Hispanic/Latinos and because it's not a great place for professional blacks.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by Lucario

My point exactly. That is one reason I left Pgh., because there was so few Hispanic/Latinos and because it's not a great place for professional blacks.

If you're uncomfortable being a member of a small minority in a region, I can appreciate that.

But why don't you think Pittsburgh is a good place for African American professionals, and which areas are better for these professionals and why? Can a city be a good place for black professionals even if there isn't a very large number?

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

If you're uncomfortable being a member of a small minority in a region, I can appreciate that.

But why don't you think Pittsburgh is a good place for African American professionals, and which areas are better for these professionals and why? Can a city be a good place for black professionals even if there isn't a very large number?

I had discussed this on another thread. This is why I said Pgh. wasn't a very good place for black professionals:

No middle-to-upper class residential areas that are 1. predominantly Black or 2. welcoming to Blacks. A very small population of middle-to-upper-class Blacks in general.

No social/cultural places, such as Black-owned restaurants, clubs, etc. for people to hang out. Very little black economic activity (business ownership, etc.) compared to other cities.

Very few Black politicians (especially elected) in places of power in city/local government.

Until very recently, no Black-oriented radio station (as WAMO had gone out of business).

Traditionally Black neighborhoods that are high-crime and gang-infested.

Terrible schools, especially in Black neighborhoods.

Few job opportunities for Black professionals (which is why many educated Blacks flee Pgh. as fast as they can).

A reputation among local Blacks as being a very racist city/region.


Where's better? Wash DC, NY/NJ, Chicago, Atlanta, North Carolina, to name a few.

Can a place with relatively few blacks be a good place for black professionals? I'm sure it can, though I can't think of a place that fits that description offhand.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

Both Hartford and Providence have metro area populations that exceed one million people.

I read that once predominately Irish/Italian Providence is now 40% Latino, 35% white.

Talk about a sudden change of demographics.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by Lucario

True, but the populations are still minuscule.

The Asian proportion is actually above average among the cities in the comparison.

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I read that once predominately Irish/Italian Providence is now 40% Latino, 35% white.

Talk about a sudden change of demographics.

I believe it. I think Hartford is now about 10% caucasian while the rest of the population is part of a minority group. The south end still has quite a few Italians but aside from that most of the city is non white.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Lucario

I had discussed this on another thread. This is why I said Pgh. wasn't a very good place for black professionals:

No middle-to-upper class residential areas that are 1. predominantly Black or 2. welcoming to Blacks. A very small population of middle-to-upper-class Blacks in general.

No social/cultural places, such as Black-owned restaurants, clubs, etc. for people to hang out. Very little black economic activity (business ownership, etc.) compared to other cities.

Very few Black politicians (especially elected) in places of power in city/local government.

Until very recently, no Black-oriented radio station (as WAMO had gone out of business).

Traditionally Black neighborhoods that are high-crime and gang-infested.

Terrible schools, especially in Black neighborhoods.

Few job opportunities for Black professionals (which is why many educated Blacks flee Pgh. as fast as they can).

A reputation among local Blacks as being a very racist city/region.


Where's better? Wash DC, NY/NJ, Chicago, Atlanta, North Carolina, to name a few.

Can a place with relatively few blacks be a good place for black professionals? I'm sure it can, though I can't think of a place that fits that description offhand.

just a minor quibble but all those other places have terrible schools, particularly in black neighborhoods. chicago, in particular, has many of the worst neighborhoods in the country, traditionally black. of course, that's why blacks left chicago en masse I imagine. atlanta isn't much different and neither is DC. the main difference is probably the quantity of professional, educated blacks that choose to stay in pittsburgh vs those other places IMO.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by pman

just a minor quibble but all those other places have terrible schools, particularly in black neighborhoods. chicago, in particular, has many of the worst neighborhoods in the country, traditionally black. of course, that's why blacks left chicago en masse I imagine. atlanta isn't much different and neither is DC. the main difference is probably the quantity of professional, educated blacks that choose to stay in pittsburgh vs those other places IMO.

I am not really speaking of just within the city limits; I am talking about the metropolitan areas in general. There are also suburban areas in DC/MD/VA, AG, Chgo, etc, that have everything the city does not (schools, safety) AND are welcoming to professional blacks. It's just not the case in Pgh., which is why black professionals see no reason to stay around.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Lucario

I am not really speaking of just within the city limits; I am talking about the metropolitan areas in general. There are also suburban areas in DC/MD/VA, AG, Chgo, etc, that have everything the city does not (schools, safety) AND are welcoming to professional blacks. It's just not the case in Pgh., which is why black professionals see no reason to stay around.

just trying to point out that those thigns exist in all the "better areas" so it's not that they exist in pittsburgh that is the problem, it's simply that the positive side (black middle class) does not in any meaningful way. I ahve hope that will change but I recognize it's difficult to be among the first to do something and wouldn't chastise someone for wanting to just be somewhere they fit in rather than try to create it from scratch.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by pman

just trying to point out that those thigns exist in all the "better areas" so it's not that they exist in pittsburgh that is the problem, it's simply that the positive side (black middle class) does not in any meaningful way.

But you haven't seen what I've said. Professional blacks leave Pgh because there is nothing there for us. No welcoming neighborhoods. No social life. No political/social/economic power. Why try to create something from scratch when we can go to a similar place (a city) where there is already something there?

I ahve hope that will change but I recognize it's difficult to be among the first to do something and wouldn't chastise someone for wanting to just be somewhere they fit in rather than try to create it from scratch.

We tend to think that if something good hasn't happened for black people in Pgh, it's not going to happen. Pgh has been there for a couple hundred years and things haven't gotten any better.