47 replies to this topic

[Justadude]

^ Not so much the problem of racism, but the problem of race relations.  The South has a much larger black population than any other part of the country, so we have to deal with racial issues that are almost nonexistent in, say, Vermont or Utah.

[Charleston's Son]

Unfortunately, I don't find this research at all surprising. Being from the Chuck-Charleston- I can tell you that crime here is awful and shows no signs of improving.  Cyclical poverty in my opinion is at the root of the problem.  I have no genuine interest in debating how much race figures into this problem..because we all know it does, and there is no correct answer as to the degree it does.  In fact, I'm still recovering from a friendly debate with a co-worker about Charleston's class issue last week, lol.  At any rate,  I can also attest to the fact that we are not in alone here in South Carolina. As my travels frequently take me between Chas and Tampa, FL..the crime and wealth disparity in Florida is disheartening too. I do believe that race has a great deal to do with the problems in these two states..but I find the lack of motivation from some of the citizens and class immobility to be the biggest barrier. I don't find there is much of a middle-class in Charleston, much less a viable African American Middle Class and the same is true in Florida.  For instance in Charleston, you're either living on Daniel Island driving a Landrover with 2.5 kids headed to "Town Centre" without a care in the world, or you're living North Charleston driving a rusted Ford Explorer frustrated with no AC and 4 kids in the backseat on Rivers Avenue. Those of us in between, well...we're just that. Sort of looked at funny from both groups: "Who is this guy?" If we're being honest with ourselves, we can all deduce this:  The overwhelming majority of those that live comfortably-- try to sustain their lifestlyle and familes without much care and consideration for those less fortunate, and this is a personal choice, we live in America and that's fine. However, the unfortunate consequence of literally turning the other cheek or turning your nose in the air to those people or problems in the very nearby communities are: Expect those that don't have those luxuries or never "made it out"-so to speak- to want to steal or kill for those luxuries out of sheer ignorance, frustration, and/or hatred.   I am not rationalizing, I'm just saying look from the other perspective.  Having grown up Dowtown Charleston, I understand this mentality all too well, and know far too many childhood friends and other young people behind bars at this very moment because of poor personal choices yes, but also a f**** up social environment as well that exists.  Luckily, I had strong parents to reinforce that one's environment does not shape them. Along with this training, I was taught I am NOT better than anyone with $2 in my pocket or $2 million in my pocket, and at the same time, NOBODY is better than me;white, black, blue, green or purple.   So many people commit these crimes b/c it is what society expects of them being poor and/or a minority, and if you don't know any better and don't have anyone else to show you another way...why not? As a result, I have a love hate relationship with my hometown and state.
To the contrary, having lived in Greensboro, NC area for nearly 8 years..there was an overall great racial balance in the city and income levels.  As a result, the crime rates are lower, the racial tension although still present being the South is much less suffocating, and the overall quality of life is better in my opinion, just less scenic than say Charleston or Tampa.  The research confirms this as well...

Edited by Charleston's Son, 04 June 2007 - 12:00 AM.

[suburban george3]

Charleston, on Jun 4 2007, 01:13 AM, said:

To the contrary, having lived the Greensboro-Winston Salem area for nearly 8 years..there is an overall great racial balance in the city and income levels.  As a result, the crime rates are lower, the racial tension although still present being the South is much less suffocating, and the overall quality of life is better in my opinion, just less scenic than say Charleston or Tampa.  The research confirms this as well...

Racial balance in Greensboro and Winston-Salem?!?  Until recently, if you were anything but white in Winston-Salem, you were mostly segregated to the east side of US 52.  There also was and still is very little of any type of development there for gainful employment.  Greensboro suffers from similar self segregation as well.  Are you also aware of the Darryl Hunt case, where an innocent African-American male was sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit?  Let's also not forget the hangover that still exists in Greensboro from the KKK violence in the late 70's.  

Income levels between Caucasians and minority groups in the Triad area are just as large as the national average and minority groups face higher levels of unemployment and other racial injustices.  Things are getting better, slowly, but there is still much racial mistrust here.  I wouldn't say there is anything close to a racial balance in the area, outside of the newly constructed areas.

[Charleston's Son]

suburban george3, on Jun 4 2007, 12:29 AM, said:

Racial balance in Greensboro and Winston-Salem?!?  Until recently, if you were anything but white in Winston-Salem, you were mostly segregated to the east side of US 52.  There also was and still is very little of any type of development there for gainful employment.  Greensboro suffers from similar self segregation as well.  Are you also aware of the Darryl Hunt case, where an innocent African-American male was sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit?  Let's also not forget the hangover that still exists in Greensboro from the KKK violence in the late 70's.  

Income levels between Caucasians and minority groups in the Triad area are just as large as the national average and minority groups face higher levels of unemployment and other racial injustices.  Things are getting better, slowly, but there is still much racial mistrust here.  I wouldn't say there is anything close to a racial balance in the area, outside of the newly constructed areas.

George, I agree that your points are valid concerning Winston and segregation along 52 and I have heard that sentiment from several of my friends native to the Triad region.  In fact in our first year up there, we lived in Winston for one year prior to moving to Greensboro,  and now that you actually mention it, my area was majority African American off of Peters Creek-Dutch Village-, but we didn't get the sentiment in our time there that  "It's just where the Black folks live", North Winston was a different story though, lol. Trust me, I worked off Flordia Street in GSO, I know the Triad area is pretty rough in certain spots. I hope I'm making sense. However, I can tell you coming from Charleston, SC, as strange as it may seem to you, that area is much more balanced and less obstinate in its segregration, I can assure you.  Anytime my family came to visit, they would always comment on how different the area was.  In my time in Greensboro,  I lived in Adams Farm which was a NICE change from downtown Charleston, which is largely surburban and majority Caucasian, but yet very diverse. At one point I had 2 UNCG students as neighbors, an African and Puerto Rican couple beneath me, and an Indian Family all in the same building.  I felt like..so this is what the rest of America is like, everything is not literally black and white, which unfortunately seems to be case between SC citizens,  SC politics, and a way of life of here with many. It is an ugly truth.  In short,  I just I found the area overall to be a comfortable middle-class environment, that quite frankly I miss terribly some days and is not very common across the majority of the US, much less the south...

Edited by Charleston's Son, 03 June 2007 - 11:57 PM.

[CorgiMatt]

Columbia seems to be bucking the trend.

http://www.wltx.com/...x?storyid=50315

[wrldcoupe4]

Richmond reported something like a 20% decrease in overall violent crime last year. Still, most violent crime is concentrated in/around public housing.

[UptownNewOrleans]

It's well understood majority-black cities have serious crime issues. Memphis, Detroit, Atlanta, St.Louis, New Orleans and the like always round out the top 10 consistently. Also majority black cities usually have garbage school systems so that's another reason.

[Lady Celeste]

UptownNewOrleans, on Sep 13 2008, 08:44 AM, said:

It's well understood majority-black cities have serious crime issues. Memphis, Detroit, Atlanta, St.Louis, New Orleans and the like always round out the top 10 consistently. Also majority black cities usually have garbage school systems so that's another reason.

It may be well assumed that the cities you listed consistently rank in the top 10 but this list below does not match up to your statement. Here is a list from 2007.

Crime Statistics for 2007

Sometimes when we use the words "always" or "never," it opens up the oppurtunity to be proven wrong. I try to refrain from this words unless I know for sure I am correct.