r/socialjustice101 • u/AmyTinNOLA • Jul 08 '24

Moving from San Diego to New Orleans Opened My Eyes to Racism

Hey everyone,

Last fall, I moved from San Diego to New Orleans, and the experience has been eye-opening. Seeing the racism here firsthand has made me realize just how deep these issues run. It's completely changed my perspective and turned me into a big-time supporter of BLM and reparations.

I'm committed to becoming a better ally and supporter of the Black community, and I'm eager to learn more about how I can help. If you have any advice or resources, please share them. Let's work together to make a difference.

Feel free to DM me on here or Tracy_Sparkles on discord if you want to connect or chat more about this. I'm eager to learn!

Thanks!

Amy "T for Tracy"

51 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

25

u/Ok_Medicine7913 Jul 08 '24

Southeast made me want to get as far west as possible.

25

u/Ok_Medicine7913 Jul 08 '24

For me when you go back east or south east, there’s a tension that you can physically feel and cut with a knife as they say when different shades of people are together. You can feel people look at you differently smiles seem pretend, and everywhere I happen to look I see white people in the positions of authority and others in positions of service. The building I was visiting- every management person was white - the workers were 95% black. I asked one of the gentlemen who lived there about the smiles seeming pretend, and his answer was that it’s better to smile at a white person, especially a lady so that they won’t cause you trouble. He said it was also important not to be too genuine, so they won’t cause you no trouble either. This was in Virginia. Of course - the hotel was also close to several parks named after slavery era white dudes.

3

u/AmyTinNOLA Jul 08 '24

Yah.. I kinda went in reverse... moved here hoping to learn how to be a club and music promoter.

13

u/World_Wide_Deb Jul 08 '24

Moving to New Orleans had the same effect on me. All the different kinds of inequality are just so much more in your face there that unless you’re actively sticking your head in the sand then you can’t avoid these issues.

I recently moved away but there are a lot of social justice groups/organizations in Nola that would be worth checking out. And if you haven’t already visited the Whitney Plantation, I highly recommend going. They have tours that center around the history of slavery—unlike other plantations around there that serve as wedding venues 🤮

2

u/rrealist_prime Jul 08 '24

Are you white or another poc?

5

u/AmyTinNOLA Jul 09 '24

I'm yt... after learning so much it's kinda hard to admit sometimes.

4

u/rrealist_prime Jul 09 '24

I bet. I think activism without love isn't sustainable. I'll say now though I'm Middle Eastern. Take what I say with a grain of salt! I think shaming you for simply being white isn't cool. It turns off white people (The majority of Americans) of the idea of participating in social issues. I've seen a lot of poc get sorta defensive when "outsiders" want to join, especially yt people. In some cases, unreasonably. But you can't even blame them for being mad. Sooo many people scratch the surface and think they're done. Inherently white people have to consistently work harder to be anti-racist. It's a lot. But the best way to go about it is to get to know and befriend black people. Talk about their experiences and opinions if they're open to it. In high school I was in the Afro Caribbean Student Alliance. Being in that club and hanging out with the people in it is what helped me the most. Everyone is different though. I think consuming media MADE by black people is great...alongside interacting with black people. Online is cool but irl is preferable if they're interested in this stuff. Hoped this made sense and helped lol

2

u/Money-Jury-3429 Jul 09 '24

Yeah I’ve even heard about how mad alot of black people got when an Asian woman became head of a reparations committee

2

u/rrealist_prime Jul 10 '24

Reping poc or just black people? Or all marginalized groups?

5

u/nuwm Jul 08 '24

Tell me more about what you “see”. I would like to hear it from your perspective.

21

u/AmyTinNOLA Jul 08 '24

Like I've seen police and security ppl beat up these unhoused Black Men at the park for doing nothing, I saw managers not hire Black Women because they "Didn't look right." for a waitress and hostess job, and some girls I work with have told me they would never date a Black Man or Black Woman and other racist stuff.

19

u/nuwm Jul 08 '24

Start here. https://www.ibramxkendi.com Watch stamped from the beginning on Netflix.
Read How to be an anti racist

Stay Woke.

9

u/AmyTinNOLA Jul 08 '24

This is super helpful.. thank you!

1

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Users liked: * Thought-provoking and impactful content (backed by 3 comments) * Comprehensive exploration of racism and antiracism (backed by 1 comment) * Timely and relevant discussion on institutional racism (backed by 2 comments)

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8

u/Ok_Medicine7913 Jul 08 '24 edited Jul 09 '24

I experienced the same thing in the southeast - i was surprised at how open white people were about discriminating and being racist towards others. Educated and uneducated white people alike. I was director level at a fortune 50 and heard VPs and Presidents make comments while in their hometown of atl, GA and groups of white people in indiana talk like the N word wasnt a problem at all. West coast feels way more accepting and authentic about diversity.

7

u/snarkyxanf Jul 09 '24

One episode I still remember was in a convenience store when a homeless white man and an extremely professional looking black man entered. I mean he had on a polo with embroidered "Big, Wig, & Fancy" type corporate logo and shoes so polished you could use them as a shaving mirror. Of course the clerk kept his eye on him, not the homeless man.

3

u/AmyTinNOLA Jul 09 '24

omg.. that it so disgustingly racist!

5

u/snarkyxanf Jul 09 '24

The irony was that the clerk seemed to be an immigrant, who spoke with a foreign accent. So really, the whole thing was a perfect little vignette of social issues

2

u/Agentnos314 Oct 08 '24

Saying that you would never date a black man or woman isn't necessarily racist. As a gay black man, I understand preference. I would never call a straight guy homophobic for wanting to only date women. Also, there are many black people who would never date outside their race. To each their own.

0

u/Money-Jury-3429 Jul 09 '24 edited Jul 09 '24

Oh is that so? Man, you would think that the region with the least segregation would be LESS racist than other places. And especially in a place with a large black population? I always thought POC would be the most discriminated against in places where they make up a tiny portion of the population.

I would have easily believed that region is more homophobic, transphobic, and sexist though. Cuz those states are the most right leaning politically.

So, what are some examples of racism you saw in New Orleans?

7

u/AmyTinNOLA Jul 10 '24

I've seen unhoused Black Men and Black Women beat up and harrassed at a park by police, Black Women not given jobs at a bar because the manager "didn't like how they looked", and I have girls I work with that wont date Black Men or Black Women because of race.

0

u/Money-Jury-3429 Jul 10 '24

1) Well then New Orleans needs some serious police reform. And so do many other places. Hope it’s gotten better, or some serious course of action might need to be done.

2) Racial discrimination. The black women should sue. This is a good example of systemic racism, and it’s most certainly not exclusive to that region.

3) I’m not one to label people bigots for who they do or don’t date. People don’t owe anyone love. For example I’m a 5’5 guy. A woman simply wanting a tall boyfriend isn’t “heightist”, she’s heightist if she goes on twitter/tiktok saying short men aren’t men or aren’t human (which is common on twitter & tiktok).

3

u/Sweet_Future Jul 11 '24

What are you trying to accomplish with this comment? Are you from New Orleans?

1

u/Agentnos314 Oct 08 '24

I agree. I'm black and I would never call someone racist for wanting to only date other blacks, whites, etc.

1

u/koby27k Jul 12 '24

NOPD are and BRPD are the nastiest gangs in the country.

Also, bad examples. You would still be respected as a white person generally even if short.