23 replies to this topic

[metrogrkid]

Josh, on Mar 22 2005, 08:40 PM, said:

I have also been a lurker for some time and will be more involved now that I am not so busy. I was born and raised in GR and have been here my entire life. I've always had a passion for a better urban environment here in GR.This forum is getting very interesting and exciting with many new people and great news (Metropolitan Center!).  I can't wait to see what will happen with many new developments in the downtown area.

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   Josh:

Now that I have read your above entry, you know that if I go over to "mbeiweb@yahoo.com" and check for your contact info and it's not there, I will be doing this ---->    and tapping my fingers impatiently on my desk.

Time is ticking . . . . it's time to inspire the masses with our collective progressiveness and vision.

-metrogrkid

[GRguy]

Freddy C, on Mar 20 2005, 12:15 PM, said:

I am Freddy C. I was reared in GR’s Gritty South East side, Lafayette/Franklin community. I have lived in Detroit, Atlanta and now reside in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis St. Paul. I have a BS in Computer Science. My parents and a few siblings, as well as numerous friends, still reside in the GR area. I am a philosopher at heart. 

I came across this forum while researching other demographic information concerning cities. I have always had interest in urban demographic history, patterns and trends. I have always entertained the notion of moving back to the GR area with my family to be nearer to my parents as they get older, even though I do get back to the area about 5 times a year. In light of this, I want to see GR move progressively towards offering the opportunities and amenities that would not make a move back their a personal sacrifice. 

If you look at most demographic data, you will see that immigration is fueling the population growth of most metropolitan areas. There are a handful of Metro areas that are being fueled by migration and even fewer that are fueling robust growth via natural increase (births over deaths). If economies are to grow, they need new workers and consumers to fuel the growth of new opportunities. Hence, given that the bulk of the US population growth is being fueled by minorities, it is imperative that areas are seen as minority friendly and inclusive if they are to be  among the 21st century elite USA cities.

My experience in Michigan is that is a very racially polarized area. Sure, it has gotten better over the years, but everything is relative and thus it still ranks among the worst in such metrics. My biggest fear of moving back to GR is not having the opportunities that I have in the Twin Cities due a combination of what the economy is supplying for offer and the racial attitudes of the people. Again, I am sure that the perception that I have was shaped by my past experiences and that things are likely better than they used to be...however, it is not visible that it is, when I go back to visit.

When people hear this, they immediately think I am indicting the whole area and condemning all its people of being guilty of this attitudes. Rest assured that I am not. These are not statements of ubiquitous absolutes. These are simply statements of my experiences and perceptions as an African American growing up there.

In light of all this, I think GR will become more viable given the demographic trends of this nation if it can sell its sell as a place that is attractive and progressive to minorities as well. I think Atlanta is a good example of a city that is seen as being progressive and offering abundant opportunities for minorities...and when one goes there they can see large minority middle and upper class living in beautiful communities. When juxtaposed in GR, you find the minorities concentrated to the near South East and West sides living in the worst and cheapest housing in the area. That’s depressing to me, notwithstanding the growth of minorities in Kentwood.

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[GRguy]

Hey Freddie:

I was raised in GR, NE side, left 20 some years ago. I have lived in NYC and then Atlanta for 16 years. Came back for some family reasons and can report mixed emotions about the move. Atlanta has very strong minority communities (I am gay, you are black, I assume, and though many people deny the parallels between our experiences, I believe we are on a similar path for equality). The reality I experienced in Atlanta was that it is as segregated as GR, just richer. There are large parts of the city that where wealthy black families live in beautiful surroundings, but you do not see white families there. I moved into the SE side of GR, and have a mixed race street, however, there still is not a lot of socializing going on.  The neighborhoods that are predominately black on the SE side however, are home to some of the most beautiful historic neighborhoods in the city. Yes, some are a bit run down, but at least they did not get torn down for urban renewal like they did in Atlanta.

As to the other benefits/challenges of living here, the housing is inexpensive compared to most other places, the downtown is really starting to "happen", and the summers are awesome(sleep with windows open, gentle breezes and no AC!). The downsides are definitely the slow economy. I am in the design field and there just not enough jobs out there. If you can get a job, it may be worth a try. Living close to family will never be something you regret later, I can verify that.

GRguy

[Freddy C]

GRguy, on Mar 24 2005, 09:46 AM, said:

Hey Freddie:

I was raised in GR, NE side, left 20 some years ago. I have lived in NYC and then Atlanta for 16 years. Came back for some family reasons and can report mixed emotions about the move. Atlanta has very strong minority communities (I am gay, you are black, I assume, and though many people deny the parallels between our experiences, I believe we are on a similar path for equality). The reality I experienced in Atlanta was that it is as segregated as GR, just richer. There are large parts of the city that where wealthy black families live in beautiful surroundings, but you do not see white families there. I moved into the SE side of GR, and have a mixed race street, however, there still is not a lot of socializing going on.  The neighborhoods that are predominately black on the SE side however, are home to some of the most beautiful historic neighborhoods in the city. Yes, some are a bit run down, but at least they did not get torn down for urban renewal like they did in Atlanta.

As to the other benefits/challenges of living here, the housing is inexpensive compared to most other places, the downtown is really starting to "happen", and the summers are awesome(sleep with windows open, gentle breezes and no AC!). The downsides are definitely the slow economy. I am in the design field and there just not enough jobs out there. If you can get a job, it may be worth a try. Living close to family will never be something you regret later, I can verify that.

GRguy

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What’s up Grguy, thanks for your input.

Yes, I believe that there are parallels between the struggle for gays and the struggle that blacks have endured; however, there are also big differences. The bottom line, though, is the respect and equal treatment of humanity and the struggle for human rights and dignity.

Yes, Atlanta is still in America and it has its segregation as well. Probably the difference in Atlanta is those wells to do blacks tend to self segregate themselves. Meaning that they choose to move into communities where they feel they will be more welcomed and face less racial isolation. In fact, many blacks are attracted to Atlanta for just that reason...they want to be in an area where there are lots of people who are like them and that is prosperous. When you have money...you can more readily do that...than when you do not.

In GR, it is a little different. The black population does not have a large enough black middle and upper class to do what they do in Atlanta. In GR, the issue of race and class combine to keep blacks more racially and economically segregated than in Atlanta. However, I think it always should be noted that things are progressing forwards in the right direction as time passes. Things are much better than in the past...despite there being a long ways to go. Credit has to be given were credit is due.

The drawback that you noted was the economy...but is not that the MAJOR factor that makes a place viable and livable? I think that when there is great competition for jobs and opportunity that is a breeding ground for intolerance and scapegoating. When there are ample opportunities, people do not feel that “others” are taking opportunities away from them or that they “deserve” that one group deserves or merits the opportunities more than another. In short, when the economy is bad, it becomes a zero sum competition for opportunity and people tend to “group up” in this competition, which leads to intolerance, ignorance and a polarized area.  

I live in the Twin Cities, which has a great diversified economy that is always performing better than the national average. I credit this for the seemingly much better racial relations here than in Michigan. This is the BEST place that I have ever been in America in that respect. I rarely feel that my race is a factor in how I am treated here. That does not mean that it is not, however. I just feel that If I cannot make it here...it is my entire fault and has nothing to do with anything else. In GR, I don’t have that same feeling. I might be wrong however.

Must be nice to sleep with your windows open...I hope that is your second floor window that you leave open...and not the ground level or you are just proving opportunities to be victimized.