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greenskin lynn wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

Polonius wrote:Well, the US is a big place. You're in, to put it delicatley, a bit of a backwater.

I've lived in the US all my life, and the mannerisms of country folk scare me more than any urban ghetto.

I was never shot at by country folk.

clearly you were considered to small to make a proper trophy kill, and thus a waste to get stuffed...much better to buy more beer and ammo

A gang member may shoot you, but a hill billy might keep you!

OP
Seriously MGS I feel for you. In rural areas I have experienced more racism than in cities. I lived in San Diego and was chased by Neo Nazis in my youth (amazing how fast I can run when 5 guys are chasing me) and out here near north Idaho is seems worse. There is a large neo nazi population in north Idaho(not a majority but they make themselves known) and racism/intolerance is very up front. As you can imagine Obama is not well liked here either as the area is staunchly republican / agriculture as well (not saying Republicans or farmers are racist, just that the area has other reasons not to agree with Obama). The issues of race seem to mean more out here in the sticks as people are not subjected to other cultures.

I am Native American and grew up on a rural reservation, even there racism is up front in your face at times. The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

J-Roc77 wrote:The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

Partially because the larger the city, the more likely somebody is around that will beat your ass for talking out of line!

Polonius wrote:

J-Roc77 wrote:The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

Partially because the larger the city, the more likely somebody is around that will beat your ass for talking out of line!

Wait...this is a good thing?

J-Roc77 wrote:

greenskin lynn wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

Polonius wrote:Well, the US is a big place. You're in, to put it delicatley, a bit of a backwater.

I've lived in the US all my life, and the mannerisms of country folk scare me more than any urban ghetto.

I was never shot at by country folk.

clearly you were considered to small to make a proper trophy kill, and thus a waste to get stuffed...much better to buy more beer and ammo

A gang member may shoot you, but a hill billy might keep you!

OP
Seriously MGS I feel for you. In rural areas I have experienced more racism than in cities. I lived in San Diego and was chased by Neo Nazis in my youth (amazing how fast I can run when 5 guys are chasing me) and out here near north Idaho is seems worse. There is a large neo nazi population in north Idaho(not a majority but they make themselves known) and racism/intolerance is very up front. As you can imagine Obama is not well liked here either as the area is staunchly republican / agriculture as well (not saying Republicans or farmers are racist, just that the area has other reasons not to agree with Obama). The issues of race seem to mean more out here in the sticks as people are not subjected to other cultures.

I am Native American and grew up on a rural reservation, even there racism is up front in your face at times. The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

Yeah, well what do you expect....coming to...their...land...and, erm....taking their wimmins...and um.....no, hold on.....you did say Native American yes?

And that gentlemen, is a perfect example of the lunacy of White Supremacists. And remember folks, that Aryan look, you know, the genetically superior one....pretty much all recessive genes...yup, realy strong.

God I hate racism. And homophobia etc.

Polonius wrote:

J-Roc77 wrote:The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

Partially because the larger the city, the more likely somebody is around that will beat your ass

Fixed the typo.

So MGS, what do the kind folks of the susquehanna valley think of your accent? Do they identify it as French, Australian, English or something else?

I am often asked if I am Australian, having a 'pirate voice' (coming from Cornwall).

Women really, really like it. Mrs S is often on high alert... It's a bit like waking up one day having mastered 'the voice' from Dune...

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I am often asked if I am Australian, having a 'pirate voice' (coming from Cornwall).

Women really, really like it. Mrs S is often on high alert... It's a bit like waking up one day having mastered 'the voice' from Dune...

Durn ferners come to take our wimmenfolk with dere fancy words.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I am often asked if I am Australian, having a 'pirate voice' (coming from Cornwall).

Women really, really like it. Mrs S is often on high alert... It's a bit like waking up one day having mastered 'the voice' from Dune...

Hmmm.... So MGS, do the ladies back in the UK like men with Canadian Accents? Perhaps I should go across the pond...

Thaanos wrote:

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I am often asked if I am Australian, having a 'pirate voice' (coming from Cornwall).

Women really, really like it. Mrs S is often on high alert... It's a bit like waking up one day having mastered 'the voice' from Dune...

Hmmm.... So MGS, do the ladies back in the UK like men with Canadian Accents? Perhaps I should go across the pond...

Not unless you enjoy being mocked for saying 'ootside' and 'aboot', South Park-style....



I jest of course!

filbert wrote:

Thaanos wrote:

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I am often asked if I am Australian, having a 'pirate voice' (coming from Cornwall).

Women really, really like it. Mrs S is often on high alert... It's a bit like waking up one day having mastered 'the voice' from Dune...

Hmmm.... So MGS, do the ladies back in the UK like men with Canadian Accents? Perhaps I should go across the pond...

Not unless you enjoy being mocked for saying 'ootside' and 'aboot', South Park-style....



I jest of course!

Or being called an American because most of us can't tell the difference

Only kidding

This reminds me of the documentary about southern Jews, though because it seems to be on the opposite end of the spectrum. It was a celebration of the culture and something of a reminder, that yes, Jews do live in the South. Have to dig around and see if I can find it.

I hate to break it to you MGS, but most places in the first world are pretty much the same, the US is pretty much the same as the UK, Canada is pretty much the same as both of the above, and Western Europe is pretty much the same as..

Basically, if your a grass is always greener type fella, your always going to be disappointed. I don't want to move from the UK because im a happy chappy, I might wind up in the US if our lass whinges alot in the future, and ill be a happy chappy there too. Its not the country, its your attitude, just do what I do and make peace with the fact that the world is full of feth heads and then.. your good to go.

I have a controversial theory about this.. I think that people that move alot are just lost man, they need to buck their ideas up and sort their gak out.

I mean, lets say you have a great job, a nice car, a nice house, a nice wife, loads of free time, 3 holidays a year. Why would you suddenly go "feth this, im off to Australia/USA/canada/New Zealand/Japan/some random gak hole that isnt on Mattys list of civilised places"

Basically, my theory is that if you find yourself moving alot, the problem is you. Not your country of choice. Sort your life out and make it good, and the country you settle in is secondary.

I work few hours, ive got plenty of cash, I spend loads of time painting, playing wow, going to the gym, getting leathered and shafting my attractive missus, why do I need to move? Why do I give a gak if the BNP are having a rally somewhere nowhere near me? Why do I care about mad muslims, immigrants or the pelthora of Daily Mail stories that invoke my fury? I mean, im an angry man, but im a happy man as well, if that makes any sense.

I dont know what the solution is, but moving wont fix it, because you will find all the same sorta gak no matter where you go. Bigots, idiots, lackwits and racists are everywhere, and moving around wont fix the issue mate, you just gotta accept them, ignore them, and enjoy your life by hanging out with people that please you.

You could always live on the Moon...
I'm told the weather is crappy though...

purplefood wrote:You could always live on the Moon...
I'm told the weather is crappy though...

Tried that, I found it lacked... atmosphere...

MeanGreenStompa wrote:

purplefood wrote:You could always live on the Moon...
I'm told the weather is crappy though...

Tried that, I found it lacked... atmosphere...

Well played.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:

purplefood wrote:You could always live on the Moon...
I'm told the weather is crappy though...

Tried that, I found it lacked... atmosphere...

Rimshot!

MeanGreenStompa wrote:

purplefood wrote:You could always live on the Moon...
I'm told the weather is crappy though...

Tried that, I found it lacked... atmosphere...

But the horizon is so beautiful! It took my breath away!

biccat wrote:

Polonius wrote:

J-Roc77 wrote:The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

Partially because the larger the city, the more likely somebody is around that will beat your ass for talking out of line!

Wait...this is a good thing?

It's hyperbole, but in essence when you have a cosmopolitan population, there tends to be less actual intolerance, because you see that the folks aren't so bad. There's also less expressed intolerance, because most people are less comfortable spouting derogatory views towards a group when members of that group are all around.

When you live in Cornhole county and everybody is your cousin, you don't have as much fear of ranting about your narrow minded little views.

Polonius wrote:

biccat wrote:

Polonius wrote:

J-Roc77 wrote:The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

Partially because the larger the city, the more likely somebody is around that will beat your ass for talking out of line!

Wait...this is a good thing?

It's hyperbole, but in essence when you have a cosmopolitan population, there tends to be less actual intolerance, because you see that the folks aren't so bad. There's also less expressed intolerance, because most people are less comfortable spouting derogatory views towards a group when members of that group are all around.

When you live in Cornhole county and everybody is your cousin, you don't have as much fear of ranting about your narrow minded little views.

Thats not supported by actual facts however and represents your opinion. Crime rates are substantially higher in metropolitan areas than rural areas.
Further, there's a hell of a lot less of a "gee if I break down in the wrong neighborhood I'm going to die" going on in the country than in the oh so tolerant big city.
Drop your ass in Compton and lets see how tolerant the locals are.
Inversely drop Compton homeboys in Beverly Hills and see how tolerant the metropolitan police are.

Polonius wrote:

biccat wrote:

Polonius wrote:

J-Roc77 wrote:The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

Partially because the larger the city, the more likely somebody is around that will beat your ass for talking out of line!

Wait...this is a good thing?

It's hyperbole, but in essence when you have a cosmopolitan population, there tends to be less actual intolerance, because you see that the folks aren't so bad. There's also less expressed intolerance, because most people are less comfortable spouting derogatory views towards a group when members of that group are all around.

When you live in Cornhole county and everybody is your cousin, you don't have as much fear of ranting about your narrow minded little views.

I know thats how life and civilisation should work, but it just isnt the reality.
I am a student at University in Leicester (which has the highest population of Hindus in the country, as well as having a high proportion of Oriental students as well), and theres more racism here (not from me i might add), than there is back home (in the Home Counties).
You get feth heads everywhere, no matter what the situation, and they will always find a way of showing their views and spouting their hatred.
EDIT: ninja'd by Fraz (kinda)

Indeed. People are people and donkey-caves abound everywhere.

Well, there's always more friction when groups interact.

I guess what i'm trying to say is that the level of loudly expressed, completely ignorant opinions tend to go up the farther away from the subject matter you are.

A person from Minnesota who has "views" on illegal immigration is probably more driven by ignorance than a person from San Antonio.

There's also a subtle distinction between racially based comments, and racist comments. If you live in an inner ring suburb, you might be concerned about black families moving in because of increased crime and lower property values. That's a racially based viewpoint, but sadly supported by historical examples in many cities (like Detroit and Cleveland). Saying that "all black people are lazy and on welfare" is just racist.

Likewise, my family moved out of East Dearborn in the mid-90's when the Arab population really exploded. My parent's did so because by that point the schools were 90% Arabic and my brother was growing up a minority. It's a great culture, but it's not what my parents wanted. We didn't move because we though Islam was horrible or because Sharia law prevented my mom from driving, but because we were outsiders.

Polonius wrote:Well, there's always more friction when groups interact.

I guess what i'm trying to say is that the level of loudly expressed, completely ignorant opinions tend to go up the farther away from the subject matter you are.

Not here they don't i'm afraid. The views expressed are still ignorant, but it is almost as if seeing the object of their irrational hatred drives them to shout about it even louder.

Yeah, well, you guys are new to the whole "race relations" thing. Give it some time.

Polonius wrote:Likewise, my family moved out of East Dearborn in the mid-90's when the Arab population really exploded. My parent's did so because by that point the schools were 90% Arabic and my brother was growing up a minority. It's a great culture, but it's not what my parents wanted. We didn't move because we though Islam was horrible or because Sharia law prevented my mom from driving, but because we were outsiders.

Thats almost exactly like it is here. I had an exam yesterday where the Invigilator had to make the comment of 'no talking, in ANY language' because nearly all (and im talking at least 90%) were either of Middle Eastern/Indian heritage, or Oriental (and yes i know Oriental just means 'foreign', i mean Chinese/ Japanese etc.) and were flagrantly ignoring the instructions not to talk.

Polonius wrote:Yeah, well, you guys are new to the whole "race relations" thing. Give it some time.

Well you're both leaning into the same pitch. Groups that are insulated from other groups are more free to air their views, but with daily friction comes daily conflict. So..you're both right.

I'd proffer the enclave argument is not limited to rural though and is a time honored urban and urban tradition.

Revenent Reiko wrote:

Polonius wrote:Likewise, my family moved out of East Dearborn in the mid-90's when the Arab population really exploded. My parent's did so because by that point the schools were 90% Arabic and my brother was growing up a minority. It's a great culture, but it's not what my parents wanted. We didn't move because we though Islam was horrible or because Sharia law prevented my mom from driving, but because we were outsiders.

Thats almost exactly like it is here. I had an exam yesterday where the Invigilator had to make the comment of 'no talking, in ANY language' because nearly all (and im talking at least 90%) were either of Middle Eastern/Indian heritage, or Oriental (and yes i know Oriental just means 'foreign', i mean Chinese/ Japanese etc.) and were flagrantly ignoring the instructions not to talk.

that's tough. There's going to be resentment when a community completely becomes foreign. At that point you're options are either to counter-assimilate, or move.

Frazzled wrote:

Polonius wrote:Yeah, well, you guys are new to the whole "race relations" thing. Give it some time.

Well you're both leaning into the same pitch. Groups that are insulated from other groups are more free to air their views, but with daily friction comes daily conflict. So..you're both right. I'd proffer the enclave argument is not limited to rural though and is a time honored urban and urban tradition.

Haha, i suppose we are.
But i am not sure what the enclave argument is.... (bet im gonna feel stupid when someone tells me :()

Polonius wrote:

Revenent Reiko wrote:

Polonius wrote:Likewise, my family moved out of East Dearborn in the mid-90's when the Arab population really exploded. My parent's did so because by that point the schools were 90% Arabic and my brother was growing up a minority. It's a great culture, but it's not what my parents wanted. We didn't move because we though Islam was horrible or because Sharia law prevented my mom from driving, but because we were outsiders.

Thats almost exactly like it is here. I had an exam yesterday where the Invigilator had to make the comment of 'no talking, in ANY language' because nearly all (and im talking at least 90%) were either of Middle Eastern/Indian heritage, or Oriental (and yes i know Oriental just means 'foreign', i mean Chinese/ Japanese etc.) and were flagrantly ignoring the instructions not to talk.

that's tough. There's going to be resentment when a community completely becomes foreign. At that point you're options are either to counter-assimilate, or move.

Tell me about it.
I'm thankful i dont live here (not because i have a problem with 'foreigners', but because i am sick of being a minority all the time (being a young, white male), and all the hate that can brew).
Although saying that, theres enough resentment back home as well, its just not community resentment (its for jobs and things - equality gone mad).

EDIT: i should probably explain the equality thing shouldnt i?
Well basically, as young, white males, my friends and i often feel 'discriminated against' for not being of one minority or another (especially when looking for work). Its not that we have anything against minorities (we dont), but its a feeling we all get from time to time, that we are worse off because we arent a minority. Its probably just paranoia

Mr Mystery wrote:

J-Roc77 wrote:

greenskin lynn wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

Polonius wrote:Well, the US is a big place. You're in, to put it delicatley, a bit of a backwater.

I've lived in the US all my life, and the mannerisms of country folk scare me more than any urban ghetto.

I was never shot at by country folk.

clearly you were considered to small to make a proper trophy kill, and thus a waste to get stuffed...much better to buy more beer and ammo

A gang member may shoot you, but a hill billy might keep you!

OP
Seriously MGS I feel for you. In rural areas I have experienced more racism than in cities. I lived in San Diego and was chased by Neo Nazis in my youth (amazing how fast I can run when 5 guys are chasing me) and out here near north Idaho is seems worse. There is a large neo nazi population in north Idaho(not a majority but they make themselves known) and racism/intolerance is very up front. As you can imagine Obama is not well liked here either as the area is staunchly republican / agriculture as well (not saying Republicans or farmers are racist, just that the area has other reasons not to agree with Obama). The issues of race seem to mean more out here in the sticks as people are not subjected to other cultures.

I am Native American and grew up on a rural reservation, even there racism is up front in your face at times. The larger the city I lived in the more open minded people seemed to be.

Yeah, well what do you expect....coming to...their...land...and, erm....taking their wimmins...and um.....no, hold on.....you did say Native American yes?

And that gentlemen, is a perfect example of the lunacy of White Supremacists. And remember folks, that Aryan look, you know, the genetically superior one....pretty much all recessive genes...yup, realy strong.

God I hate racism. And homophobia etc.

My Mystery: I am not sure I get your point I put in bold. What is the perfect example you are referring to? The raping and pillaging? I am paraphrasing here.

And yes Native American, as in we were here before Europeans not "my family came over on the mayflower." I was trying to illustrate that small communities no matter what race can discriminate against outsiders for many reasons beyond the evident ones you pointed out. Racism can develop from a shared history was your point I think and spot on. On the reservation I grew up on small groups (not all) of natives have negative feelings towards and others not just the Europeans who immigrated here. I caught hell for being a different tribe than the one whose' rez I lived on even well after high school. I worked there for 10 years and was reminded often I was an outsider. My in-laws are half mexican/native and they caught hell as well from the same reservation.These instances do not stem from a shared history, but being a member of a different community. All cultures (cultures...not people) have an ethnocentric element, to what degree a person takes it to is what matters. There is a line that some people cross, it is nice to be prideful of your heritage, but not at the expense of denigrating other cultures.


If the huge multi-quote thing bugs someone let me know and I will edit it out.