spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

A few things around here got me thinking the last few days...the first one being the post about my town & the fact that I stated I believe people don't like my district because it is well known for being racially diverse. Several people called my opinion-rude, stupid, pathetic & so on( all while I'm the one LIVING by choice in a diverse area)....but I still believe there is a HUGE part of our society that likes to keep communities seperate based on race. And some real esate agents participate.
here's that thread
My town

now today the post about the disgusting racism that took place
hate crimes


I'd love to hear what everyone really thinks about this topic.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

I LOVE diversity....
I think that the more opinions, ethnicities, religions, cultures and views that i and my future family is exposed to the better..

AND as i said on one of the threads

All schools are becoming more and more diverse every year. IN EVERY neighborhood...

Ya don't like it....MOVE. It is here to stay

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

I think that there are parts that are predominantly a certain race/ethnicity, etc. There are parts that are considered to be bad parts of LI based upon who lives there. But overall, compared to other parts of the country, LI is fairly open minded. NOT to say that no need for change, however, progress has been made. The thing is that the tolerance for hate crimes is not as high. I don't think I know anyone who would scream at the tv "right on!" when the news reports of such bias crimes.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

I do not live on LI, I think that in many areas, including where I grew up on Staten Island, people consider an area as "going-downhill" once it starts to become more racially and ethnically diverse. It's a shame, but I have definitely heard that viewpoint expressed.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

So then Red....as a minority family moves into an area & the school becomes more diverse...some a$$clown spray paints their house to tell them they aren't wanted....hhhmmm doesn't sound like a diverse melting pot to me.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

People do Anti-semite sprayings ....guess what, should that stop jewish people from melting in...

Nope...and it hasn't...

Message edited 1/17/2006 6:28:33 PM.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Racism sadly exists...

that doesn't mean the this country or LI for tha matter won't continue to change, continue to melt, and hopefully with that continue to learn...so that with that first hand knowledge and learning....ignorance may one day die..

IMO this is the only way...

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

I think one of the problems that Long Island faces today has to do with the cost of living here. I believe that prevents lots of people, all all races and ethnicities, from living here. In some areas, you tend to see only the upper middle class. The cost of living in the area makes it inaccessible to others outside that socio-economic group. I think some areas are diverse while others are not.

I also think some groups tend to migrate towards each other. I grew up in a very German neighborhood. That was because the German families tended to move there. They felt comfortable because their 1st language was being spoken and the surrounding stores and businesses geared towards Germans.

Message edited 1/17/2006 6:35:00 PM.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Message edited 1/17/2006 6:36:08 PM.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

And Kelly....I think that you especially, when a area is said to be bad or a SD is said that soemoen doesn't like it....YOU jumped right to he diversity being the reason....And i just dont' think that is fair...
IMO diveristy isn't the reason....especially when the area in question is primarily white.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Red...my specific area is primarily white but my DISTRICT is very large & encompases gordon heights, coram, most parts of ridge & middle island are extremely diverse.
I still stand my ground that people associate Longwood with diverse demographic. And those poor kids from effed up homes most of whom move around their whole lives are a big part of a "low" gradution rate in our district, people are TOO narrowminded to look at the BIG picture of school stats.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Yes I think theres a problem on LI wiith diversity. Its obvious. I mean cmon, we are a completly mixed bunch of people , yet there are still ALL white towns and ALL black towns. Thats the truth and theres no denying it. BUT...I think we are better then some other areas of the US, this happens and occurs EVERYWHERE so you can only do so much about it, which is almost nothing.

One of my main concerns with this and LI is the schools. I have already discussed that I dont want my children going to a district thats not diverse.. I think that it adds to not seeing people as human versus black , white , any other color when your basically segregated which you are. I went to Connetquot, we had 2 black kids in my graduating class and they were thought of as "the black kids" ....I am ashamed and disgusted to even say it out loud. But I have my issues with public schools to begin with, so I am hoping for Catholic/private schools for my children if affordable.

I think diversity is an issue when talking about school districts because the "worst" school districts we hear of, are indeed mainly made up of spanish and black students. WHY IS THAT? I mean cmon, if they are constantly hearing what a bad area they live in, what a bad school they go to, are they not going to in turn just be bad, why not? That has nothing to do with their color or nationality, it has to do with the sterotyping that others have placed on them for years and years.

Bottom line, I think LI is NOT accepting to diversity at ALL.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Many people have a NIMBY feeling towards diversity, IMO. They think it's fine for the rest of the world but when their neighborhood starts to change, they get uncomfortable.

I think about the situation in Farmingville with the day laborers because the town I live in now has a similar issue, and it's interesting to me how people are so up in arms about it. On the one hand, I understand a lot of the concerns, but on the other hand I feel like so much is being blown out of proportion.

A lot of people are afraid of others who are different. I don't know why, but I think that is at the root of a lot of intolerance. Fear drives people to anger and hate.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

My husband and I differ on this topic. I am hispanic from Texas and my husband is Jewish from LI. He feels Long Island is very welcoming of Diversity. And I beg to differ.

When I moved to LI, I was so upset to see that the races were so divided by neighborhoods. I guess this happens in every city however, in Texas I was brought up in a city in an upper-middle class neighborhood and in a very diverse community. I guess the difference is that in Texas the Hispanics are the Majority Minority. And Yes, racism does occur in Texas. I am not denying that.

I lived in Long Island for about 6 years and I did sense racism in LI. My husband feels it is in my head. But, nothing could change while I was living there on how some people made me feel.....like a second class citizen. For me personally, I felt the racism more in LI than in Texas. And this is a girl speaking from the South!

Don't get me wrong, I liked LI but didn't love it as much as DH. However, I do LOVE NYC! I am very comfortable there.

Sadly, The reality is that racism still exists and it exists in every city and state. But, if we do move back to LI, I would definetly consider Rockville Centre! I found that town to be very welcoming of diversity.

Message edited 1/17/2006 7:35:19 PM.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

it is interesting to hear how people from other places view Long island, thanks for sharing.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Message edited 1/18/2006 6:56:52 AM.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

red...as I have discussed with you before I have raised a child to adulthood...we lived in 3 different districts from K-12 and I was an active member of the PTA & SEPTA for years. I have spent hours researching school districts not because I was worried about resale value OR because I may have kids in 15 years that will attend that school, but because I have a special ed child and fully understanding demographics & how schools are rated and the services they can provide became extremely important to me.
It is a fact that areas that have large numbers of very low income families also have transient students...ask any of the teachers or faculty here to explain that to you. State ratings of districts do NOT factor this in, there are several other disadvantages children in very low income areas have that will affect the rating(this is all regardless of race BTW).
I will state frankly that I feel you & i are not in the same league with this conversation as you have not yet had the life experience I have had with parenting and obviously do not respect that fact that I probably know more than you. You are only interseted in put your opinion(which you have every right to have) against my knowledge & experience.
You are a very opinionated person...sometimes life experiences change that about people....you may find something will happen in your life to make you realize your big opinion doesn't matter as much as what is truly good for your child. just my 2 cents.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

Message edited 1/18/2006 8:47:42 AM.

Re: spinoff Poll-do you think Long Island is Anti-diverse?

While I don't think LI is exactly "anti - diversity" I definitely think there is a prevailing attitude that is more like "Sure, I welcome all races and cultures....as long as they aren't moving into MY neighborhood". IMO, that's the extent of the acceptance and embracing of diversity on LI.

I didn't used to think this way, but since marrying my DH and moving from my predominantly hispanic neighborhood in to the almost 100% white neighborhood I live in now (with one of the more favorable SDs), I've seen the attitudes first hand. I've gotten the "looks" when I tell people where I grew up. I've gotten the comments on the School District (which are true).

And I think it's no coincidence that the overwhelming majority of the so designated "bad" neighborhoods and SDs happen to also be the most diverse. Whether or not that is a reflection on how welcoming Long Islanders are to diversity, is a different story though.