Charlotte, North Carolina SperlingViews

If you go to the Charlotte craigslist page and look under "rants and raves" you will see many many racist comments about various races. The news is always placing Hispanics in a negative light (it used to be African-Americans, but I guess they grew tired of that). I am not of either of these races... I am just tired of all the negativity. I was dismayed to see the mayor make blatantly racist comments about Black youth with no consequence. If you go downtown there are the banks and there are Irish pubs and bars... that's about it! This is the only real city I've been in without diverse restaurants? What is up with that?? NOTHING else - no Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian, Cajun restaurants... NOTHING.

If you are white and don't like being around other races or learning about other cultures or are raciest and expect all minorities to fit stereotypes you see on tv then maybe you will fit in here.

Of course, most people here think they are so open-minded... but I find that is because many are from small towns and just have no clue.

Move to Atlanta or NY or California if you want some diversity and a creative culture. This is a white-collar suit and tie banker's town.

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re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 7/26/2009
You're saying a city of 492,000 people only has restaurants of American cusine?

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 7/26/2009
I have been researching different cities on this site for about 3 months, trying to find the perfect place for me to relocate. Every city has someone complaining about racism. There are Asian people who are rude to other Asians and they don't call each other raciest. There are African Americans who are rude to other African Americans and they don't call each other raciest. There are White Caucasians who are rude to other White Caucasians and they don't call each other raciest. Get my point? Just because you are of a different race or nationality does not mean if someone is rude to you, it means it is "racism". It is people who constantly rant racism who keep it alive and well.

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/5/2008
I can tell you this, Darling. I am a white caucasian living in South Korea. This is the most racist place I have ever lived. You should be happy living anywhere in the states because atleast there are communities of different diverse races but when you live in a xenphobic country like South Korea, the people almost never smile, they run into you, never say excuse me or Shilehamnida ion Korean as well. They hate Americans and for that matter foreigeners and the ones whop seem to like you really don't like you at all, they just want to gain some benefit from you and that's it. Hard to find someone that will invite you for a cup of coffee unless there are strings attached or if they want something. Trust me, I live here and see it everyday. Koreans have basically Koreanized me so now I just run into them now, never speak to them. I never say excuse me. I jump in front of them like they do and I just do to them what they do to me everyday. It is actually nice to not have to be nice. I guess that is why Korea is one of the rudest places on earth to visit and tourist that come here don't usually have good things to say about it except the food. It is good. There are good people here but you have to jump through hoops to get one to like you and trust you. Stay in Charlotte, your asian country of your origin is probably more racist than in Charlotte. Don't play games and play victim. Be smart.

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/14/2009
Well I can kinda understand what your saying. But on the same token. It is the dirty south. I think Cathy has some really good outlook's at your point of view. I'm white and have been discriminated against here mainly by black, and hispanic, but hey it happen's to everyone in the south...Life sux man...get use to it...

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 12/22/2008
I'm African American and yes diversity is good, but it doesn't make a place suitable. It's all about what you are looking for in a livable community. I'm sorry, but Atlanta is not that diverse it's a city where the population is majority African Americans but it's somewhat diverse, but not that diverse. Mostly California, Florida, and New York State is pretty much diverse. Georgia is mainly Blacks and whites pretty much of the Deep South is not diverse but blacks and whites

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 2/7/2008
Hi Jennifer...I will have to disagree with you a bit on a couple of things. For the comment about no diverse restaurants, I live 10 minutes or less from several of the ethnic eating places that you said are not here. And yes, there are quite a few white people here, but I have met just as many people of other races, and I personally haven't seen much of the racism. Don't get me wrong, there are some rednecks around here, but aren't they a little bit of everywhere? If I were you, I wouldn't pay attention to half of the people ranting and raving on Craigslist...not a source I would recommend to get good info on the area...but this is all just my 2 cents worth.

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/23/2008
I recently went to Charlotte to visit and find out if this is a place where I would like to live. We did the "Queen City" tour and got a feel of the history of Charlotte and went to a ton of restaraunts, shopping malls, etc. and what I found is that (and this is MY opinion) that it wasn't welcoming. Charlotte has ALOT of growing up to do in terms of being labeled as a diverse and "booming" city. I did see alot of construction which could mean more jobs and a better economy, I also noticed that there aren't many restaraunts and/or clubs or just plain out recreation for different races and cultures. Yes, there is racism everywhere so I don't understand why people are getting so upset about Charlotte being called a racist city, IT IS. I noticed this from how my friend and I were starred down when walking into businesses as well as hotels and restaraunts. I mean to stay on "Queen Blvd" you have to do like three 90 degree angles to stay on that street because the guy who designed it that way didn't want certain "people" on that street (check your history)!In some form of fashion, EVERY CITY is. And the Bank of America stadium sits right in the middle of downtown Charlotte which is like asking for congestion and there isn't much to see or much that grabs your eye. Its really boring to me. But, I think for minorities, you probably should try Raleigh if you MUST relocate to North Carolina.

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 2/23/2008
Jennifer I would have to somewhat disagree with you on some points. I think Charlotte is what you make it for the most part and you just have research a little bit to find the interesting aspects of the city. There definitely are areas of the city that fit the stereotypical white color feel associated with banking city, but I've met some really great people from all ethnic groups and even went to a few diverse restaurants. The main problem is that the City is so decentralized, which makes it harder to find the hidden gems. I happen to think some of the other places you mentioned have there own issues with race as well!

re: - 11/16/2009
Charlotte has Cajun, Chinese, Japanese, Ethiopian,Indian, Mexican, Salvadoran, Japanese, Thai, German, Italian, French, Korean, etc. restaurants and I've eaten at many of them. I suppose what you experience in this city depends very much on what you expect to find.

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 7/2/2008
I was born and raised in Charlotte, and have seen much of what you are talking about and then some. I agree with you 100% with what you said about this town in regards to racism.

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 1/12/2008
Hi Jennifer, Sounds like you need to venture outside your perimenter a little. There are numerouse ethnic restaurants in the Charlotte area. The news stations report NEWS. I don't really think they pick and choose what groups to target. If a white collar banker is caught driving drunk, the wrong way on 485, hits and kills an innocent victim I'm sure it will make the news.

re: - 3/10/2008
Jennifer, go just for one day to Southwest Florida. You'll learn it means really racism. It's like all the racist, bigot and rednecks of America, move along over there. I moved to Charlotte just 3 weeks ago, after living in Florida during 28 years. I ask myself everyday why I didn't take this step 2 decades ago. BTW, I'm a professional Latino and I strongly recommend you a Colombian Restaurant Los Paisas, in South Blvd. Delicious latin food and very nice people!!

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 3/30/2008
Wow, I am a 31-year old Black American male. Wow, really! Your points are extremely constructive. You have written from your Soul and that is impressive. I was planning on relocating to Charlotte, NC for a few months beginning May 2008. Uhmmm! You've place another spin on the entire landscape. America is one if not the most RACIST countries in the world. Feel me honie? I've been almost all around the world and the racism in this country is still lethal; PATHETIC! Where can one go as a miniority and live among people who are ethnically colorblind in this country??? Where darlin? I was born in San Francisco, CA and it is now racist too because the Chinese have taken over and the white gay community in San Francisco is extremely RACIST too! So where does one go... Amsterdam? That's ok! :)! Thanks for your feedback. As I only have to be there for four (4) months... it should be ok. Where are you now... still in Charlotte???

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 9/19/2008
Im plannig to move their but if it is rascist problems like you said. I dont want to move their any more.

re: I am Asian American - there is a lot racism h - 10/4/2008
I wonder anyone who "just returned" from Charlotte feels justified in commenting on what it's like to live here based solely on a visit? Interesting...

re: - 4/28/2008
I just returned from Charlotte and completely disagree with your "lack of of diversity rant". I found the people gracious and their hospitality genuine. Because a place does not have your favorite food is no reason to bad mouth it. Next time do some homework because Charlotte is the second largest financial city in the country. Bankers will be present or maybe you just do not like white bankers.You are a hyphenated American, and your opinion is tinged with your own racism.

re: - 11/17/2008
I currently live in NY and plan to move down to Charlotte in May. While I know little about Charlotte, I do know much about NY. Is NY very diverse? Yes. Is it the worst place i've ever lived? Yes... The two don't go hand in hand, obviously, but diversity doesn't mean a good place to live. Houses are 3-4times the amount of Charlotte and Indianapolis(where I grew up). Property taxes are over 4 times as expensive in NY. Yet the salary compensation is only approx. 40% higher. There is a reason the population in smaller cities like Charlotte are growing, because places like NY are stagnant because no one can afford to live here. Its great to have diversity in a city but there are far more important things to the quality of life. As for restaurants, well you can't go to any mid-major city and expect the same diversity as New York. Apparently you have never been to very many cities, because any city that is not a major city, seriously lacks in a wide range of restaurants. I actually read an article the other day saying Charlotte was the best place for food in the south, while that may not meet your NY criteria, it probably means something. Let's not forget, every city has its problems, especially when they are growing fast, but NY is done growing and its way overpriced, you have traffic from 6am-11pm everyday. It is a disaster area, and I personally would rather live anywhere else. One mans junk is another man's treasure.

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