There is one occasion where whites say they’re from Detroit. When they go out of town and want to show how hardcore they are.

But the sociologist in me is reminded of this session this year at ABS. It was about race and methods. The two whites who presented focused on what it was like to be a white researcher studying black and brown folks. Finally, someone brought up the point that always runs through my head–why don’t we have a discussion about what it is like for black and brown people to try to interview whites (about race)? Unfortunately, damn near impossible at times as the white guy who wouldn’t even fill out the survey reveals.

What I also find funny about those white suburban Detroiters is they they never say they are from Detroit, never. They travel out into the rest of the country and tell people they are from Warren, Rochester, etc. Nobody knows those places!! When I lived in Detroit, everybody and their mama would be like “You live in Detroit!!”
In fact, one time some white guy got lost and ended up at the door of the frat house I stayed in off 6 mile. This white guy in the fraternity, answered the door for the lost man, and this first words out of the guy’s mouth were: “Oh thank god your a white guy!” When I remarked on what a racist that guy was; I got the I would have done the same thing remark.

But not to single out Detroit too much because this is a problem everywhere, but Detroit is one of the most racist places I have lived.

Bryan- Thanks, I would love to know its etiology as well, maybe a research topic in the future.

Anon- I really doubt that it was a wake up call to White America as a whole. Not that the images weren’t powerful, but they weren’t sustained. If you want something to resonate with middle of the road White America it has to be repeated, just ask Bush as he keeps giving the same damn speech on homeland security. But White folks in the Delta probably have a different outlook in realizing that “they” are not saved. Though I don’t they’re having interracial love fests down there ;)

Very Interesting. What I would like to know is how white folks in view race in the aftermath of Katrina, particulary in the New Orleans area. I have heard, argued, and debated with many colleagues about whether the death and destruction in the wake of Katrina due to the lack of federal government response was a wake up call for white folks. Wake call meaning that Katrina demonstrated what it means to black or brown and POOR in this country. Your experience in Detriot suggests otherwise. But I wonder if white Louisana, Mississipp, and Alabama have a different reaction?

To be continued… well..maybe later

2 and counting…

At a previous job, one of my white coworkers told me I was too socially conscious!! I said to a previous employer of mine I thought the staff would benefit from diversity/tolerance training. It wasn’t until two of my white coworkers a year later said the same thing that they actually did it. Clearly I’m just pulling the RACE CARD!!!! It didn’t matter by that point half the staff left that year.