So, I went to Bethesda yesterday

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ahh I think only 10 percent of the country is black so I am sort of sick of hearing about not being enough black people in a neighborhood. People should stop worrying about color and worry more about if they are good people.

13%, but you get that that's not spread evenly over the entire country, right? The black population is largely concentrated in the south and in urban areas. I apologize, I didn't dig for the 2000 census map, but it's not vastly different from the 1990 map: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/mapGallery/images/black.jpg

So yes, if you live a state like Wyoming or Utah - states with a black population of less than 1%, states I suspect you would enjoy - all-white neighborhoods would be the norm. Downright expected. In southern Maryland, in the greater DC area, which has a much higher racial diversity, all (or mostly) white neighborhoods are far less common.

Oh, it's an oldie but a goodie. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"

[Anonymous]

I just don't understand why someone would choose to live in an area like that.

You don't understand why anyone would ever choose to live in an area that YOU don't consider to be sufficiently racially diverse??

How about because it's where there nicest homes they can afford are located? How about because it's close to work? How about because it has great schools? How about because the county services are great? How about because you can get more land for the money? Taxes are lower? It's convenient to outdoor recreational activities? (I'm not "justifying" Bethesda, by the way. I live in Fairfax County for all of these reasons.)

It's wonderful that you value diversity first and foremost when choosing a place to live. It's THAT important to you. Great.

Now why can't you respect other people's decisions to value other factors more highly when choosing where THEY want to live?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ahh I think only 10 percent of the country is black so I am sort of sick of hearing about not being enough black people in a neighborhood. People should stop worrying about color and worry more about if they are good people.

13%, but you get that that's not spread evenly over the entire country, right? The black population is largely concentrated in the south and in urban areas. I apologize, I didn't dig for the 2000 census map, but it's not vastly different from the 1990 map: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/mapGallery/images/black.jpg

So yes, if you live a state like Wyoming or Utah - states with a black population of less than 1%, states I suspect you would enjoy - all-white neighborhoods would be the norm. Downright expected. In southern Maryland, in the greater DC area, which has a much higher racial diversity, all (or mostly) white neighborhoods are far less common.

Oh, it's an oldie but a goodie. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ahh I think only 10 percent of the country is black so I am sort of sick of hearing about not being enough black people in a neighborhood. People should stop worrying about color and worry more about if they are good people.

13%, but you get that that's not spread evenly over the entire country, right? The black population is largely concentrated in the south and in urban areas. I apologize, I didn't dig for the 2000 census map, but it's not vastly different from the 1990 map: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/mapGallery/images/black.jpg

So yes, if you live a state like Wyoming or Utah - states with a black population of less than 1%, states I suspect you would enjoy - all-white neighborhoods would be the norm. Downright expected. In southern Maryland, in the greater DC area, which has a much higher racial diversity, all (or mostly) white neighborhoods are far less common.

Oh, it's an oldie but a goodie. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"

Well said.

You are an ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I just don't understand why someone would choose to live in an area like that.

You don't understand why anyone would ever choose to live in an area that YOU don't consider to be sufficiently racially diverse??

How about because it's where there nicest homes they can afford are located? How about because it's close to work? How about because it has great schools? How about because the county services are great? How about because you can get more land for the money? Taxes are lower? It's convenient to outdoor recreational activities? (I'm not "justifying" Bethesda, by the way. I live in Fairfax County for all of these reasons.)

It's wonderful that you value diversity first and foremost when choosing a place to live. It's THAT important to you. Great.

Now why can't you respect other people's decisions to value other factors more highly when choosing where THEY want to live?

I don't mean that I don't understand, in a condescending way. I mean, that I don't understand the motivation to live in an area where whites have sequestered themselves. I don't understand the unwillingness to live in an area that is more diverse. Diversity is not one black family, and one Asian family on the block. Diversity doesn't mean high crime either. I live on a street where about half of the homes are occupied by whites. In the three and a half years I lived here there have been two cars broken into, and both were unlocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ahh I think only 10 percent of the country is black so I am sort of sick of hearing about not being enough black people in a neighborhood. People should stop worrying about color and worry more about if they are good people.

13%, but you get that that's not spread evenly over the entire country, right? The black population is largely concentrated in the south and in urban areas. I apologize, I didn't dig for the 2000 census map, but it's not vastly different from the 1990 map: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/mapGallery/images/black.jpg

So yes, if you live a state like Wyoming or Utah - states with a black population of less than 1%, states I suspect you would enjoy - all-white neighborhoods would be the norm. Downright expected. In southern Maryland, in the greater DC area, which has a much higher racial diversity, all (or mostly) white neighborhoods are far less common.

Oh, it's an oldie but a goodie. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"

Well said.

You are an ass.

You are a grown up reduced to name calling because you don't like the truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ahh I think only 10 percent of the country is black so I am sort of sick of hearing about not being enough black people in a neighborhood. People should stop worrying about color and worry more about if they are good people.

13%, but you get that that's not spread evenly over the entire country, right? The black population is largely concentrated in the south and in urban areas. I apologize, I didn't dig for the 2000 census map, but it's not vastly different from the 1990 map: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/mapGallery/images/black.jpg

So yes, if you live a state like Wyoming or Utah - states with a black population of less than 1%, states I suspect you would enjoy - all-white neighborhoods would be the norm. Downright expected. In southern Maryland, in the greater DC area, which has a much higher racial diversity, all (or mostly) white neighborhoods are far less common.

Oh, it's an oldie but a goodie. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"

Well said.

You are an ass.

You are a grown up reduced to name calling because you don't like the truth.

Saying "which I suspect you would enjoy" is no better than saying "you are an ass." I prefer the more direct route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I just don't understand why someone would choose to live in an area like that.

You don't understand why anyone would ever choose to live in an area that YOU don't consider to be sufficiently racially diverse??

How about because it's where there nicest homes they can afford are located? How about because it's close to work? How about because it has great schools? How about because the county services are great? How about because you can get more land for the money? Taxes are lower? It's convenient to outdoor recreational activities? (I'm not "justifying" Bethesda, by the way. I live in Fairfax County for all of these reasons.)

It's wonderful that you value diversity first and foremost when choosing a place to live. It's THAT important to you. Great.

Now why can't you respect other people's decisions to value other factors more highly when choosing where THEY want to live?

I don't mean that I don't understand, in a condescending way. I mean, that I don't understand the motivation to live in an area where whites have sequestered themselves. I don't understand the unwillingness to live in an area that is more diverse. Diversity is not one black family, and one Asian family on the block. Diversity doesn't mean high crime either. I live on a street where about half of the homes are occupied by whites. In the three and a half years I lived here there have been two cars broken into, and both were unlocked.

NP and I'm not sure what your point is. Your confused that some people have different priorities than you and don't value diversity as number one? Seriously? Diversity is one of my lowest priorities. Highest priorities? Good schools, safe neighborhood, nice house. I don't give two s**ts whether there is one black/Asian/whatever other race family on the block or 20. I certainly am not moving somewhere just to get that experience. If that's a value that you prioritize over all others, good for you, but I find it very bizarre that anyone would place such high value on diversity over all other factors in choosing a place to live.

[Anonymous]

And by the way, 2 cars getting broken into on your block is a big reason I wouldn't choose to live there. All about priorities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I just don't understand why someone would choose to live in an area like that.

not "justifying" Bethesda, by the way. I live in Fairfax County for all of these reasons.)

It's wonderful that you value diversity first and foremost when choosing a place to live. It's THAT important to you. Great.

See I don't think it's a matter of valuing diversity first and foremost. I have a friend in Winchester. If her kids see a black person it's odd to them. I would be ashamed to live in an area where my kids grow up knowing how to interact with different races because they don't ever see them. This was common in our country a very long time ago, but now? That being said I don't think Bethesda is quite that bad off. I wouldn't raise my kids there, but I can understand why a lot of people want to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And by the way, 2 cars getting broken into on your block is a big reason I wouldn't choose to live there. All about priorities.

Two unlocked cars, in over three years? Really? You would find that to be a deterrent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I just don't understand why someone would choose to live in an area like that.

You don't understand why anyone would ever choose to live in an area that YOU don't consider to be sufficiently racially diverse??

How about because it's where there nicest homes they can afford are located? How about because it's close to work? How about because it has great schools? How about because the county services are great? How about because you can get more land for the money? Taxes are lower? It's convenient to outdoor recreational activities? (I'm not "justifying" Bethesda, by the way. I live in Fairfax County for all of these reasons.)

It's wonderful that you value diversity first and foremost when choosing a place to live. It's THAT important to you. Great.

Now why can't you respect other people's decisions to value other factors more highly when choosing where THEY want to live?

I don't mean that I don't understand, in a condescending way. I mean, that I don't understand the motivation to live in an area where whites have sequestered themselves. I don't understand the unwillingness to live in an area that is more diverse. Diversity is not one black family, and one Asian family on the block. Diversity doesn't mean high crime either. I live on a street where about half of the homes are occupied by whites. In the three and a half years I lived here there have been two cars broken into, and both were unlocked.

NP and I'm not sure what your point is. Your confused that some people have different priorities than you and don't value diversity as number one? Seriously? Diversity is one of my lowest priorities. Highest priorities? Good schools, safe neighborhood, nice house. I don't give two s**ts whether there is one black/Asian/whatever other race family on the block or 20. I certainly am not moving somewhere just to get that experience. If that's a value that you prioritize over all others, good for you, but I find it very bizarre that anyone would place such high value on diversity over all other factors in choosing a place to live.

Then you are part of the problem. I would assume that you voted for Obama (based on the odds), but you won't live next to him. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

"I for one would be much happier having my child go to a school that maybe isn't as great, but live in a neighborhood where their are all sorts of different people to learn from."

I would not knowingly move to an area with "isn't as great" schools b/c it is more diverse. No one I know would do so either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I just don't understand why someone would choose to live in an area like that.

You don't understand why anyone would ever choose to live in an area that YOU don't consider to be sufficiently racially diverse??

How about because it's where there nicest homes they can afford are located? How about because it's close to work? How about because it has great schools? How about because the county services are great? How about because you can get more land for the money? Taxes are lower? It's convenient to outdoor recreational activities? (I'm not "justifying" Bethesda, by the way. I live in Fairfax County for all of these reasons.)

It's wonderful that you value diversity first and foremost when choosing a place to live. It's THAT important to you. Great.

Now why can't you respect other people's decisions to value other factors more highly when choosing where THEY want to live?

I don't mean that I don't understand, in a condescending way. I mean, that I don't understand the motivation to live in an area where whites have sequestered themselves. I don't understand the unwillingness to live in an area that is more diverse. Diversity is not one black family, and one Asian family on the block. Diversity doesn't mean high crime either. I live on a street where about half of the homes are occupied by whites. In the three and a half years I lived here there have been two cars broken into, and both were unlocked.

NP and I'm not sure what your point is. Your confused that some people have different priorities than you and don't value diversity as number one? Seriously? Diversity is one of my lowest priorities. Highest priorities? Good schools, safe neighborhood, nice house. I don't give two s**ts whether there is one black/Asian/whatever other race family on the block or 20. I certainly am not moving somewhere just to get that experience. If that's a value that you prioritize over all others, good for you, but I find it very bizarre that anyone would place such high value on diversity over all other factors in choosing a place to live.

Then you are part of the problem. I would assume that you voted for Obama (based on the odds), but you won't live next to him. Interesting.

Sounds to me like the PP you quoted would have no problem living next to Obama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I for one would be much happier having my child go to a school that maybe isn't as great, but live in a neighborhood where their are all sorts of different people to learn from."

I would not knowingly move to an area with "isn't as great" schools b/c it is more diverse. No one I know would do so either.

I didn't say not great. I would certainly pick a school that isn't as great because of diversity. I suppose if you don't have minority children, this may not make sense to you. I want my children around all types of people and cultures. There is more to life than what is learned in books. You don't learn social skills from books, and you don't learn about diversity from them either. I want my children to be well rounded, and excepting of others. They are brilliant children who would do well in any school. It doesn't matter if it is the best school in the country.