I just finished reading this article in the New York Times Magazine:
"What's the Real Racial Divide?" by Matt Bai
Here's an interesting quote from the article:
"As Erica Goode wrote in these pages last year, Robert Putnam and other sociologists have, in fact, found that people living in more diverse areas evince less trust for others — no matter what their race."
What do you think?
My two cents: Since I've been living in rural areas for a while, I've begun to notice that for most folks out here, racial diversity is pure abstraction. I can sort of see how (were they inclined to vote Democratic, which most around these parts are not) they would vote for Obama irrespective of his race since race has little relevance to them. I wouldn't say this makes them less racist, or xenophobic. It's not uncommon to hear a rural person make a statement like "Africans are so violent" or "it's those Asians that are the problem at the farmers markets," but for them these seem like obvious statements that come more from lack of experience than animosity.
And, having lived in a very racially diverse city in France, I can also see the perspective of urbanites inclined toward racist thoughts and behaviors. Perhaps it's just human nature to scapegoat the racial or ethnic "Other" when resources are limited or scarce.
I'd love to get your comments on this interesting article!
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1 comment:
Though my initial reaction is one of surprise, upon reflection somehow it make sense. Growing up biracial in a small, almost entirely white city, I think I saw some of this first hand. Because there were virtually no black people in this town, black people were honestly regarded almost as a novelty item. However, native americans, who, at that time, were the majority of the minority population, bore the brunt of most folks' racial stereotyping and derision.
Plus, I guess the other part of this that doesn't surprise me is that, as long as I can remember, I have always believed that the ill-informed of this nation would elect a black man president long before they'd ever elect a woman, regardless of the candidates' qualifications or vision. I just think there are so many men who can't see a woman as president, and possibly even more women who feel the same way. Feelings about Clinton aside, this makes me terribly frustrated.
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