Cincinnati experience (UC/downtown)
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2/19/2012
I wanted to give Cincinnati a chance, but it appalled and shocked me how backwards it was. I was raised in a Midwestern suburban area with diverse(religion, ancestries, etc) and highly educated, business families. It wasn't perfect, but I really loved how friendly and open everyone was to each other. I thought Cincinnati would be an amazing and more tolerant city. It wasn't! My first month at UC, I ventured out with friends downtown and got the most classist and racist comments directed towards me. When I went to a coffee shop in Gaslight Clifton, I was asked if I had "mixed" ancestry as if they were going to accept me based on what answer I gave. Someone at UC told me that American equals white. A salon at Kenwood Mall was super racist and jealous of me because I had full/thick, shiny hair. I don't want to continue with the rest, it's sooo depressing; Cincinnati is too race-oriented/shallow to consider living for another year. I dress conservatively and I'm very friendly to people because I was raised in a Christian household. By the way, I'm an American of Chinese descent. I've read some of the comments and I absolutely agree with you all. I wanted to love Cincinnati, but it's horrible! (Ok, there are amazing things to do, like the art museums, the theaters and the downtown areas, but seriously, when people are that unfriendly downtown and in certain suburban shopping areas, I'm shocked.)I can only hang with people that are like me; tolerant, friendly and kind. It's really too bad. I really love my friends at UC though :)
Elizabeth | Cincinnati, OH