am I the only 'woman of color' in the Slope who's not...
Comments
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Again,
LTT:
Thank you for the anecdotes - and lack of ANY true samples.
You seem to be stuck in 1968....speeches from 1968 must be examined in their context...1968. We are in 2006 and yes, many things HAVE changed since then - many for the better.
Yes, I have in fact traveled to ALL continets: Asia, Africa, South and Central America, Europe, Australia and North America. I am sure we have both been to places that the other hasn't.
But.... none of those things alone brings weight to your argument. Seriously, they dont.
What counsel do you offer based on your experiences?
No one is suggesting there is no racism or classism, what I am suggesting is that racism does not have to be completely 100% erradicated in order for someone to be successful or have a good life, be responsible, take care of their kids. It seems to be a crutch excuse for many.
Findcate: How did Katrina "prove Racism"? I have theories also, but I am interested in yours. Listing all of those things in your post, I am wondersin, what counsel do you offer? Revolution?
Guys, its not there there are more problems in the world. I just think the news coverage is better. If you are waiting for perfection on all fronts - you are in for a long wait.
But some have managed to make a career out of it....
Good luck.
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity".
Dr. Martin Luther King.
"Racism is not an excuse to not do the best you can".
Arthur Ashe -
sometimes people just dont try hard enough. yes there is racism, but hey the world isnt perfect! i came to this country in the 1980's anti japanese sentiments were everywhere. I lived in a working class area. I was chased beaten and harrassed everyday. even though i am not japanese. but white/black/ hispanic kids and parents didnt care. anyway long story short, i get harrassed still in some area's that doesnt stop me from living and trying to make a better life for myself. being asian is quit bad in the states. Get treated as one but dont get any of the Benefits. no political power or redress in any sense.
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I don't understand why Livetotravel (who has already bragged about the value of his house) is now bragging about the various countries he has visited. What's going on here?
Back to the original topic. I really suspect that the friend who made the sell-out comment would actually like to live in Park Slope, but simply can't afford to. She used to live in the area and a change in circumstances (loss of her wealthy, white former partner) meant she had to move into a rented room in a more obscure part of Brooklyn. In my experience, blacks are often called sellouts (and only ever by other people of color), when they:
live in an expensive neighborhood
speak very "proper" English
go to an Ivy League school
etc etc
So, being called a sellout is actually a compliment, even though it is not intended as such. In the past I've been called a sellout for having an Oxbridge degree and (previously) working at a "white women's" (ie a Conde Nast title) magazine.... -
L&D
I would even be willing to bet that LivetoTravel, in all of his global witnessing of oppression abroad, owns an iPod
. This is the irony of his arguements. He is doing quite well for himself and his family in racist "AMERI'KKK'A". Even Ice Cube ( who named his album that in the early 90s) is doing quite well with White people buying his DVDs....
Are we there Yet?
If you travelled the world, you know that if you were born in the last 40 years in America - you've won the global citizenship powerball jackpot.
He offers all of these "examples" but no SOLUTIONS.
I won't say he doesnt have any - he just hasnt offered any...yet.
I always love when people go on a long tirade about all of the problems in the world from global warming to the penninsula fox squirrel extinction to a chitty apartment and then...suddenly, that's it. Do they feel better?
L&D your "friends" are jealous of you but they are therapeutically alienated. ( they stay within the communities they are most comfortable in becuase they lack the self confidence to venture out away from their peers who would disapprove) Something happened to Black people after the civil rights movement...achievement, hard work, committment, and faith became vices and not virtues as the "protest" as personality type took hold as an "identity" with no solutions offered (Jessie Jackson/ Al Sharpton - both great at quoting and rhyming stuff though!).
By simply being "against" you are someohow "authentic" and real, regardless of FACTS. Suggesting that someone "try" became evil in itself.
You should live where you want.
Enjoy Park Slope. It is one of the best neighborhoods in all of New York.
Many people want to live there because it is clean, has many amenities, is relatively safe, and cool things happen there. -
Seven-One-Eighty - let me clarify. It is not my friends who use that ridiculous term, "sell-out". It was just one friend, who seems fairly bitter about life in general. Then in the past, random black people I've got into conversations with at parties or at conferences have made the occasional comment about my lifestyle/job/educational background not being "black enough."
As for being American being some kind of jackpot, I have to disagree. I hold a European passport and I find that way more useful. And not only for entering Cuba either.
So, livetotravel - DO you have an ipod??
Where I grew up (in Europe), people chose their neighborhoods according to what they could afford, not according to the color of the neighbors' skin.
Get these motherfuckin' sellouts off my motherfuckin' plane
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Well, I hear you.But you do...live...here...
I was actually paraphrasing Bill Maher with the jackpot thing
( from When you ride Alone, You ride with Bin Laden book)
I was born in Europe (Germany) and have lived in Asia and other countries. In fact, this year maks the year that I am in America the same amount of years as abroad in my life (I'm 35).
I think America has a lot to offer and many Black people have made great strides here in Politics, entertainment and businesses and sports. They have made strides elswhere globally also of course.
If there is a Eurpean equivelant to Oprah - I'll watch her.
A Japanese Colin Powell - lead the way.
I still believe there are some things here that are only possible in America because of our culture and history and struggle. Sweden is great, Holland is fantastic as is Kyoto - but as a Black man who has been to these places, I say America, while not perfect is a sort of "jackpot" for me and my family and many people who struggle, live and work to get here.
Having also ived in Japan and Korea, I know as a black man, I wouldn't have the same opportunites as I do here...I could become Head of the American Military of head of Joint Chief of Staff here as black man, or Secretary of State...but not in Japan....or Korea...per se. That was my main point.
Opportunity through hard work, while not unique here, is an internationally accepted "characteristic" of America..
America has problems, but it is no coincidence that so many are killing themselves to get here - and Park Slope. There is something to it. I do beleive that even compared with progressive Europe there is still more
opportunity front for "Black people of color" here - than say Brazil or Mexico.
There is a man on trial in Afghanistan for conververting to Christianity - today. We have religious Zealots here in America too - but we laugh at them!! That's what makes this country great. there is some work to be done - but that does not mean I want to live in Africa either. I don't.
Whoever said what they said are misguided souls with low self esteem.
I had the same discussion throughout my life with ignorant people.
The next time you hear that "black enough" garbage, challenge them on it and have them define by specific example how they are "black enough".
Then step back and watch them fall.
I'm an architect who is also a Black man, we could swap stories someday. -
Oops!
That was me Above!
SevenOneEighty! -
This really is my last post on this thread - but obviously some people have trouble following previous posts and information revealed therein.
So just to review for the slow learners:
Race: Caucasian (I think you probably remember my wife is West Indian)
Residence: 1 bedroom rent stabilized apartment, that, after 11 years will soon be legally reclaimed by landlord/owner for his son. (Law & Dis -"bragged about the value of his house" Huh?)
MP3 Player - a two-year old Rio (this is the only new information here)
Travel info - Law & Dis - you really do need to read through entire posts. Travel info was in response to 7180 urging me to "travel more." Admittedly a juvenile thing to do in response to a juvenile taunt.
I must further admit that I'm absolutely captivated by the last several exchanges between you two. Sleep tight. -
I'm getting livetotravel confused with a poster who is black and male and talked about owning some "bigass" brownstone in "prime slope" and renting part of it out. This thread's so far off topic that I'm totally confused and can't remember who said what....
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Anonymous wrote: Well, I hear you.But you do...live...here...
This doesn't make sense to me. Few countries in the Western Hemisphere have such a large and established black population as the USA. I find it quite absurd for you to say America's great because people like Oprah and Colin Powell have attained sucuscess. How many black people are there in Japan compared with the USA? And England's black population is still below 5% and the majority of those have been there for little more than 50 years... so, having a few successful blacks in America doesn't impress me much. I'm here because I'm having fun and if/when I stop having fun, I'll move back to Europe...
I was actually paraphrasing Bill Maher with the jackpot thing
( from When you ride Alone, You ride with Bin Laden book)
I was born in Europe (Germany) and have lived in Asia and other countries. In fact, this year maks the year that I am in America the same amount of years as abroad in my life (I'm 35).
I think America has a lot to offer and many Black people have made great strides here in Politics, entertainment and businesses and sports. They have made strides elswhere globally also of course.
If there is a Eurpean equivelant to Oprah - I'll watch her.
A Japanese Colin Powell - lead the way.
I still believe there are some things here that are only possible in America because of our culture and history and struggle. Sweden is great, Holland is fantastic as is Kyoto - but as a Black man who has been to these places, I say America, while not perfect is a sort of "jackpot" for me and my family and many people who struggle, live and work to get here.
Having also ived in Japan and Korea, I know as a black man, I wouldn't have the same opportunites as I do here...I could become Head of the American Military of head of Joint Chief of Staff here as black man, or Secretary of State...but not in Japan....or Korea...per se. That was my main point.
Opportunity through hard work, while not unique here, is an internationally accepted "characteristic" of America..
America has problems, but it is no coincidence that so many are killing themselves to get here - and Park Slope. There is something to it. I do beleive that even compared with progressive Europe there is still more
opportunity front for "Black people of color" here - than say Brazil or Mexico.
There is a man on trial in Afghanistan for conververting to Christianity - today. We have religious Zealots here in America too - but we laugh at them!! That's what makes this country great. there is some work to be done - but that does not mean I want to live in Africa either. I don't.
Whoever said what they said are misguided souls with low self esteem.
I had the same discussion throughout my life with ignorant people.
The next time you hear that "black enough" garbage, challenge them on it and have them define by specific example how they are "black enough".
Then step back and watch them fall.
I'm an architect who is also a Black man, we could swap stories someday. -
Exactly - we have the opportunity HERE in America - and in Park Slope!
Not elsewhere (to the same extent). And, Congratulations on your success and education also!
I'll bet that no one or thing, including racism, could stop you from achieving the goals you've mentioned achieving in life thus far - both here and abroad.
That was my point.
Be happy to be here and if you are not - we won't make you stay - you are free to go . We could use your apartment in North Slope. You have choices HERE that you do not elswhere.
So you may disagree about the jackpot theory, but it is AT least a "scratch 3" ticket worth $100.
Well, there is an established black population in Africa - but I dont see many black americans running for plane tickets to the Congo....to live forever...maybe a visit for a little while...
If I have to chooose between living in Ethiopia, Somlalia of the Congo or America - I chose America. Which do you choose? South Africa is nice though, so I may have to think about that one....
But to dismiss the success of "few" black people as you state, is to discredit all that people have worked for over the years. Things have imporved for Black people - and people like yourself living in Park Slope, educated, well travelled and well read - are more the norm and a reflection of many balck people. I guess my outlook is different because my parents raised me that way and the people that I know and try to associate with are a reflection of this. I thnka them for that.
Not perfection, of course. But I like it here - and I think you do too.
There will never be a UTOPIA.One thing I do is voulnteer in my community to help improve it also.
I just think people should acknowledge the successes that HAVE happened for many - instead of always saying " Yea, but..."
Because to ignore them, is to discredit yourself, your parents, your garandparents, etc.
I'm sorry, but its is more than "a few" black people doing well for themsleves also. But you seem to be so angry about living where you want to live in America. How did you manage? Seriously. Every success cannot be turned in to an "exception".
Livetotravel - enjoy your Rio and your apartment in AMERICA.
Would Che aprove? C'mon LTT, I have love for you man. Don't leave.
I just dont agree with you.
We need to have these discussions. -
law&disorder wrote: I'm getting livetotravel confused with a poster who is black and male and talked about owning some "bigass" brownstone in "prime slope" and renting part of it out. This thread's so far off topic that I'm totally confused and can't remember who said what....
That was me.
I'm a black man. I own a brownstone in PS.
You got a problem with that? -
law&disorder wrote:
True about the demographics regarding the Black population in other nations but these other nations often have different minority populations, and I think a review of the treatment, integration and success of these minority populations still give 718's point validity. As for those countries that have no significant 'minority' populations, I'm not sure a history of zenophobia and exclusion defeats his point either
This doesn't make sense to me. Few countries in the Western Hemisphere have such a large and established black population as the USA. I find it quite absurd for you to say America's great because people like Oprah and Colin Powell have attained sucuscess. How many black people are there in Japan compared with the USA? And England's black population is still below 5% and the majority of those have been there for little more than 50 years... so, having a few successful blacks in America doesn't impress me much. I'm here because I'm having fun and if/when I stop having fun, I'll move back to Europe... -
bsloper - when my wife and I are legally evicted to make room for my landlord's son, would love to know if you have any openings.
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Livetotravel wrote: bsloper - when my wife and I are legally evicted to make room for my landlord's son, would love to know if you have any openings.
LTT, I only have only a single 1BR floor-thru rental, which is in use at the moment, but I'll throw it up on this board when it next becomes available. Re your eviction, don't let it come to that if your LL has a legal right to the apt. But, that discussion could be an entirely separate thread.
BTW, Love what you have to say on the topic of race. Don't agree with everything, but interested in all the different viewpoints. I don't pretend to know all the answers. -
bsloper - thanks - and I am interetsed in hearing everything my landlord has to say/offer me to make departing a liitle easier to bear. I have consulted an atttorney and know that landlords win these cases all the time, and that I really don't have a legal leg to stand on. He really does have a son and he really wants his son to have my apartment. I'm all ears re resolution.
I don't have all the answers either (or even most of them ;-). It's just I've spent a lifetime immersed in the issue and currently work for a large non-profit involved with health care provision, education, training and advocacy. I see the impact of bad policy on low income people and people of color every day.
We all do the best we can.
Have a good day. -
SevenOneEighty wrote:
One would hope that there is an "established black population in Africa" since that is where black people originate from. LOL.
Well, there is an established black population in Africa - but I dont see many black americans running for plane tickets to the Congo....to live forever...maybe a visit for a little while...
.
Who cares whether black Americans are running for plane tickets to the Congo or not? Black Americans are not my point of reference because I am not a Black American. The vast majority of my family live in Africa and have a very nice standard of living and no desire to migrate to America - all they do travel here frequently to visit me. -
SevenOneEighty wrote: Exactly - we have the opportunity HERE in America - and in Park Slope!
Sevenoneeighty - to set you straight on this whole America (specifically PArk Slope) as Utopia offering black people a chance to advance thing - let me say that my life has not altered at all since moving here 5 years ago. My parents and their parents were at least as well travelled, well read and educated as I am today, and they never lived in AMerica or anywhere near America - they lived in AFrica and spent some years in Europe - studying. So here I am, third generation in my family to have an Oxbridge education and none of this as a result of being in Park Slope.
Not elsewhere (to the same extent). And, Congratulations on your success and education also!
I'll bet that no one or thing, including racism, could stop you from achieving the goals you've mentioned achieving in life thus far - both here and abroad.
That was my point.
Be happy to be here and if you are not - we won't make you stay - you are free to go . We could use your apartment in North Slope. You have choices HERE that you do not elswhere.
So you may disagree about the jackpot theory, but it is AT least a "scratch 3" ticket worth $100.
Well, there is an established black population in Africa - but I dont see many black americans running for plane tickets to the Congo....to live forever...maybe a visit for a little while...
If I have to chooose between living in Ethiopia, Somlalia of the Congo or America - I chose America. Which do you choose? South Africa is nice though, so I may have to think about that one....
But to dismiss the success of "few" black people as you state, is to discredit all that people have worked for over the years. Things have imporved for Black people - and people like yourself living in Park Slope, educated, well travelled and well read - are more the norm and a reflection of many balck people. I guess my outlook is different because my parents raised me that way and the people that I know and try to associate with are a reflection of this. I thnka them for that.
Not perfection, of course. But I like it here - and I think you do too.
There will never be a UTOPIA.One thing I do is voulnteer in my community to help improve it also.
I just think people should acknowledge the successes that HAVE happened for many - instead of always saying " Yea, but..."
Because to ignore them, is to discredit yourself, your parents, your garandparents, etc.
I'm sorry, but its is more than "a few" black people doing well for themsleves also. But you seem to be so angry about living where you want to live in America. How did you manage? Seriously. Every success cannot be turned in to an "exception".
Livetotravel - enjoy your Rio and your apartment in AMERICA.
Would Che aprove? C'mon LTT, I have love for you man. Don't leave.
I just dont agree with you.
We need to have these discussions. Apart from south Africa, America is the most blatantly racist nation I've ever been to. But it's also classist and if you're upper middle class, you don't feel the racism nearly as much and its live-able. -
I'm sure that there are more diverse neighborhoods in NYC than Park Slope, that PS residents have biases conscious or unconscious, that PS liberals are more than a little self-congratulatory, etc., etc.
All that said, I wonder how many neighborhoods in America have local web bulletin boards where you can read a black man argue that one of his white neighbors is overly sensitive to racism.
I'm just sayin'. -
L&D
I still congratulate you on your success and good life - currently in America.
I love it here! It seems civli rights in Europe have done well to - for your parents and you - so this is a good thing. You are a true example of the sucess of the civil rights movement - even as an AFRICAN. Not sure that "racists" really care if you are African or African American though...
Could you give examples of how racism in America have hindered your progress in life? Where are you not allowed to shop? Go to School?
I dont deny that it exists, I just dont think it was ever powerful enough to stop you - or your parents in their success (even in Europe where there is also racism).
But you misunderstood the Utopia reference: It seems the argument used by many poeple is that things are not perfect - or UTOPIA. So each time you list a success, they ignore it, call it an exception, and complain that things are not perfect. Park Slope is not Utopia.
Wherever, you land, may it be as good place for you as America is for me ( and you currently in Park Slope).
Man, you must really hate it here - why do you stay....your answer will be most revealing.....
But White people being overly sensitive to racism is nothing new... especially post civil rights....I just dont think it is as important in hindering people as much as is once was thats all I'm saying. People cant even mention race without being "offended". That would make me sensitive. -
SevenOneEighty wrote: L&D
I don't hate America at all but I DO think it is a very racist country. If I hated America, I wouldn't live here. As I said in an earlier post, I'm living here right now because I'm having fun. But would I live here permanently and raise children here? Absolutely not.
I still congratulate you on your success and good life - currently in America.
I love it here! It seems civli rights in Europe have done well to - for your parents and you - so this is a good thing. You are a true example of the sucess of the civil rights movement - even as an AFRICAN. Not sure that "racists" really care if you are African or African American though...
Could you give examples of how racism in America have hindered your progress in life? Where are you not allowed to shop? Go to School?
I dont deny that it exists, I just dont think it was ever powerful enough to stop you - or your parents in their success.
But you misunderstood the Utopia reference: It seems the argument used by many poeple is that things are not perfect - or UTOPIA. So each time you list a success, they ignore it, call it an exception, and complain that things are not perfect.
Wherever, you land, may it be as good place for you as America is for me ( and you currently in Park Slope).
Man, you must really hate it here - why do you stay....your answer will be most revealing.....
And my family's successes are not a result of the Civil Rights movement in America - although I do obviously think that the Civil Rights movement was absolutely essential. You seem to have a hard time separating the black American experience from the African one. -
Yes, the Civil Rights movement were essential to my grandparents and parents and me and many others. It was important.
And the reverberations around the world were imprtant - even to Africans abroad.
But please share your experiences and how they differ from African Americans. I would be interested in knowing them. I dont' doubt that they are different. What is the African experience in America? I would imagine it included being insulted by both ignorant Black and White Americans. -
SevenOneEighty wrote: What is the African experience in America? I would imagine it included being insulted by both ignorant Black and White Americans.
Quite possibly. If you are an African street vendor.
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law&disorder wrote: I don't hate America at all but I DO think it is a very racist country. If I hated America, I wouldn't live here. As I said in an earlier post, I'm living here right now because I'm having fun. But would I live here permanently and raise children here? Absolutely not.
L&D personal experiences aside for one second, while there is no way to quantify levels of racism I am generally skeptical of this notion that Europe is somehow less racist than the US. I mean even ignoring the fact that less than 65 years ago the majority of the European governments were actively participating in or ignoring the wholesale execution of people based upon race, the recent history of Europe doesnt exactly support the notion that European societies are anymore welcoming or accomodating to different races than the US or have any desire to integrate minority populations in their economy (isnt that what these recent riots/protests in France are esentially about)
And these facts are against a backdrop where European countries tend to have much more restrictive immigration policies than the US. -
America is one of the few nations where vast numbers of blacks are here SOLELY because they were stolen from their countries of origin and enslaved and abused.
And really when I say that America is racist I am speaking from personal experience. Since I am a black woman who spent more than 25 years living in Europe and 5 years living in America, I feel qualified to comment. My experiences of course are mine alone.
One thing that springs to mind is this. My paternal grandmother went to Oxford university for her bachelor's, during World War 2. She was a young African woman, arriving in England alone, and she was treated with kindness and acceptance. Had she tried to go Harvard or Yale, presumably she wouldn't have been admitted solely because of the colour of her skin. -
law&disorder wrote: America is one of the few nations where vast numbers of blacks are here SOLELY because they were stolen from their countries of origin and enslaved and abused.
Unfortunatly many nations in North, South and Central America fit that description. And while I would never dismiss that history, I beleive the discussion is about America (and PS) today. But if your going to use historical examples, I'd say again Europes history is equally as bad.law&disorder wrote: And really when I say that America is racist I am speaking from personal experience. Since I am a black woman who spent more than 25 years living in Europe and 5 years living in America, I feel qualified to comment. My experiences of course are mine alone.
Obviously I wish you hadnt had such experiences and would never argue with your personal experiences. I am strictly addressing an overall popular notion among left leaning folks that b/c Europe has more left leaning, socialist type policies, that it is somehow more racially tolerant, and I just dont think recent (or past) history bears this out. -
A black American friend recently said that I get a "pass" and don't even experience the full racism a black AMerican might get because of my "posh" English accent. So, I can only imagine what it might be like if I was a black American....
I actually agree that some European countries are very racist - France being one of them. However I have several black American friends who've left America to live in France and claim they are experiencing way less racism in France.
On the other hand, I have black friends who've moved to America from Europe and not one of them has said that they experience less racism in America, they all seem to think the country is more race-obsessed and that whites are more patronising towards them than in any other country.
Then there are black American friends who've moved to Africa. Many of those have complained that they did not feel accepted by the Africans and that they were sometimes even called things like "white lady" by the locals. I guess it would be like an Italian American who'd been Brooklyn for several generations and never been to Italy, suddenly arriving in the rural Italian village their distant ancestors came from and expecting to fit right in... -
law&disorder wrote: A black American friend recently said that I get a "pass" and don't even experience the full racism a black AMerican might get because of my "posh" English accent. So, I can only imagine what it might be like if I was a black American....
I think part of what is at issue is that certain European societies are more class-based in terms of prejudice, than race based. An educated, upper class African, such L&D, has probably fared well in Europe owing the priviledges of class, whereas in the U.S., people tend to see race 1st, ask questions later. Admittedly, I'm only guessing.
I actually agree that some European countries are very racist - France being one of them. However I have several black American friends who've left America to live in France and claim they are experiencing way less racism in France.
On the other hand, I have black friends who've moved to America from Europe and not one of them has said that they experience less racism in America, they all seem to think the country is more race-obsessed and that whites are more patronising towards them than in any other country.
Then there are black American friends who've moved to Africa. Many of those have complained that they did not feel accepted by the Africans and that they were sometimes even called things like "white lady" by the locals. I guess it would be like an Italian American who'd been Brooklyn for several generations and never been to Italy, suddenly arriving in the rural Italian village their distant ancestors came from and expecting to fit right in... -
law&disorder wrote: A black American friend recently said that I get a "pass" and don't even experience the full racism a black AMerican might get because of my "posh" English accent. So, I can only imagine what it might be like if I was a black American....
A Scandinavian lady I know used to show up at the afterhours house party jazz scene in Harlem in the late 70s . . . her story is that folks there accepted her much more readily once she opened her mouth.
Watch out where that posh accent leads you tho - we had a friend looking for an apt (english black woman) who freaked out more than one racist landlord/realtor . . .
that was ages ago,
and I wonder if the realtor redlining/coding thing still goes on as egregiously as it once did.
there were lawsuits about it in the slope, 15 years ago or so
man, I just love me an anecdote -
Bsloper wrote: [quote=law&disorder]A black American friend recently said that I get a "pass" and don't even experience the full racism a black AMerican might get because of my "posh" English accent. So, I can only imagine what it might be like if I was a black American....
I think part of what is at issue is that certain European societies are more class-based in terms of prejudice, than race based. An educated, upper class African, such L&D, has probably fared well in Europe owing the priviledges of class, whereas in the U.S., people tend to see race 1st, ask questions later. Admittedly, I'm only guessing.
I actually agree that some European countries are very racist - France being one of them. However I have several black American friends who've left America to live in France and claim they are experiencing way less racism in France.
On the other hand, I have black friends who've moved to America from Europe and not one of them has said that they experience less racism in America, they all seem to think the country is more race-obsessed and that whites are more patronising towards them than in any other country.
Then there are black American friends who've moved to Africa. Many of those have complained that they did not feel accepted by the Africans and that they were sometimes even called things like "white lady" by the locals. I guess it would be like an Italian American who'd been Brooklyn for several generations and never been to Italy, suddenly arriving in the rural Italian village their distant ancestors came from and expecting to fit right in...
Actually you are 100% right. I'm not saying that class-ism is any more acceptable than racism but it is different and now that you point it out, it does mean that life is easier for people like me in Europe but not that Europe is some sort of multicultural utopia either.
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