Quote:
Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G
Yes, because, as we all know, one of the biggest obstacles to redevelopment of impoverished black neighborhoods is "reverse racism." And, in the absence of any credible studies or articles, we should take your word for it.
You've got to be fucking kidding me.
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First, Bronzeville is not impoverished. It's underdeveloped, but it's hardly impoverished. Median income is well above the citywide median income. And my observation wasn't about impoverished neighborhoods. It was about Bronzeville.
Second, you don't have to believe me if you don't want to. I live in Bronzeville. I go to the community meetings. I meet with people in the neighborhood for cocktails.
There are a handful of them that don't want white people around. I don't know why that would be hard to believe if you understand the history of this country and this city, but if you don't want to believe me, you don't have to. You also don't live in Bronzeville, and unless and until you do, you probably don't have a much better option than to take my word for it about what I've observed while living here.
It's an impediment to development because they are part of a very vocal minority that almost brings every sign of progress to a halt. The demolition of the Pickford Theater was nearly stopped by one man who complained loudly enough, even though there was nothing left of the building but a rusting shell that DeLasalle would have let fall in on itself before they fixed it up. His arguments that I sat and listened to were based entirely upon reviving the Black Metropolis with federal funds.
I'm not going to claim that some kind of "reverse racism" (whatever that means...racism is racism) is roadblocking growth in Bronzeville. Racial dynamics will be overcome by anyone persistent enough to overcome them by proving to the community that growth is in its best interests. But at the same time, ignoring it, or for some reason insisting it doesn't exist, doesn't help anything either.