Is Calgary a racist city?

[PyramidsofMars]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

how can you brand an entire city racist. It's pretty naive to think that no city contains people who might be "racist"

I don't think that saying a city is racist means anything like saying everyone in a city is racist.

[Delthefunky]

Originally Posted by starseed

The city as a whole is a multicultural community free of major racial prejudices. That said, it probably has Canada's highest amount of race based discrimination in isolated incidents amongst major cities. Along with the Global reports on racism at Calgary's bars, it seems like we get the biggest crowds for those delightful aryan guard hate rallies.

The red-neck culture has its pros (hot cowboys) and cons (bigots) just like many other cultures.

Really good point about the racism at bars ( I assume you mean the preference to pretty white women ). But for all I know this could happen in a place like Vancouver as well.

[PyramidsofMars]

I think he's referring to the reports of black people being refused entry to Cowboy's or some other place downtown.

I don't know of a preference for pretty white women, I think hot chicks of all races get preferential treatment, particularly if there is skin shown.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by PyramidsofMars

I don't think that saying a city is racist means anything like saying everyone in a city is racist.

Then what does it mean? your just painting everyone with the same brush, pretty ironic really.

What is the difference between a racist city and a non racist city...

there are racist people everywhere.

just because a private business gets accused of treating people a certain way, in no way reflects on the other 1 million people who live that said city.

[PyramidsofMars]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Then what does it mean? your just painting everyone with the same brush, pretty ironic really.

What is the difference between a racist city and a non racist city...

there are racist people everywhere.

just because a private business gets accused of treating people a certain way, in no way reflects on the other 1 million people who live that said city.

it's the same way it is true that the United States is a democratic society. There are socialists in the US, and there are communists, and there are fascists. That does not change the overall political landscape. As for racism in particular- there is systematic discrimination and widespread hostility towards Indian and Bangladeshi migrant workers in areas of the middle east, they form basically what amounts to a slave class. In areas of the Southern United States and the bible belt there is undoubtedly a significant, noticable racist climate and widely-held racist attitudes. That does not in any way suggest that all Southerners are racists. You probably won't get treated nice wearing a yarmulke in many Arab countries. That does not mean all Arabs hate Jews.

Like anything in politics, it is a generalization. But it's one of those things where other respondents to this thread sort of know what I mean and are answering accordingly. I do NOT think Calgary is a racist city, but many people seem to disagree with me, seem to think that there is a strong racist sentiment in this city.

[Mad Mel]

I don't think Calgary is a racist city. IMO, it's a city that is learning to be multicultural, and isn't entirely comfortable yet. Cities like Vancouver or Tronna have been highly multicultural for a long time, and are very comfortable wearing those shoes. Calgary has more recently become the same way; I'd venture that most Calgarians think it's a good thing and are quite happy about it, but it still feels a bit weird, a bit abnormal. It's kinda like me and my lady, we're IR (interracial). At first our families were kinda awkward about it, but eventually it just became same-old, same-old for them.

[Joborule]

Hmmm...being a black guy that goes out once in a while and collaborate with people often, I haven't notice racism at all, or very little at most. Maybe I'm just closed minded to it but I haven't encountered stuff that made me felt attacked because of my race.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Hmmm...being a black guy that goes out once in a while and collaborate with people often, I haven't notice racism at all, or very little at most. Maybe I'm just closed minded to it but I haven't encountered stuff that made me felt attacked because of my race.

yet a friend of mine i work with who happens to be black has told me more than one story where he felt prejudiced against, and i've heard similar stories from an asian buddy. the feeling i got from them was that Calgary isn't an overtly racist city, but prejudices still exist and rear their ugly head from time to time

then there's the whole deal of those white supremacist ######bags that were allowed to have their rally downtown, that sickened me

[Locke]

What kind of goddamn mick would ask such a dipshart question?

[Philly06Cup]

Any aboriginals on CP want to share their thoughts? While Asians and East Indians are being more integrated, it's my perception that there is a lot of hate towards aboriginals in this city.

[Shazam]

I've been yelled "chink!" at few times in my adult life.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I don't think that Calgary is racist per se, but I think it is difficult for people that are obviously immigrants. I don't mean in skin color, ethnicity or religion, but rather in the way that you act. I find that I get treated the exact same way as other Calgarians, even thought I am a visible minority. On the other hand I have spoken to several immigrants, and they always tell me about incidents of racism. An example of this is going to the bar when I was younger with 10 of my Arab friends and we are all screaming at each other in Arabic while waiting in line which brings attention to us from the bouncers and in turn they get annoyed and not allow us into the bar. Now I go with probably the same amount of Arabs, but we keep it low key in line, then when we talk to the bouncer, we crack jokes and we have no problem getting in. Also, I think that any time a white person does anything bad to a minority, the minority cries racism, even if there is no evidence of it. If a white police officer stops a black man and gives him a speeding ticket, then usually the black man will say, "oh i wasn't even speeding that bad, that pig was just being racist."

I think in a lot of ways there is "perceived" racism from a lot of new Canadians which simply isn't true.

"I got fired from my job because my boss is racist against Arabs." Sometimes really means: "I got fired from my job because I personally failed to the the research and adapt myself to the culture of the workplace".

Is there attitudes towards people of different races? Absolutely, we can't ignore that. But I think a lot of times it has to do with the new Canadian holding certain ideals (Canadian Culture will adapt to me vs. I need to adapt and incorporate certain aspects of Canadian Culture in my behavior).

[The Goon]

My Calgarian redneck in-laws were a little hesitant in accepting at first (as I'm of indeterminate origin).

But then Darius Rucker released a country album. Now all is well.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

There wouldn't be any racism in Calgary if it wasn't for the f'in foreigners!

[Rjcsjc62]

I think he's referring to the reports of black people being refused entry to Cowboy's or some other place downtown.

I don't know of a preference for pretty white women, I think hot chicks of all races get preferential treatment, particularly if there is skin shown.

One time Cowboys wouldnt let me in because I was wearing running shoes. and I have white skin, blue eyes, and blonde hair, and was willing to spend lots of money.
I think they discriminate against the un-hip.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by flip

What do you think has changed then?

Nothing like using semantics to try and defend one of the most bigoted cities in North America...

[PyramidsofMars]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I think in a lot of ways there is "perceived" racism from a lot of new Canadians which simply isn't true.

"I got fired from my job because my boss is racist against Arabs." Sometimes really means: "I got fired from my job because I personally failed to the the research and adapt myself to the culture of the workplace".

Is there attitudes towards people of different races? Absolutely, we can't ignore that. But I think a lot of times it has to do with the new Canadian holding certain ideals (Canadian Culture will adapt to me vs. I need to adapt and incorporate certain aspects of Canadian Culture in my behavior).

that's what you get for encouraging a 'cultural mosaic' and not integration... Luckily the Tories seem to be working on informing immigrants of Canadian history if I understand the new citizenship booklet right.

[PyramidsofMars]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Any aboriginals on CP want to share their thoughts? While Asians and East Indians are being more integrated, it's my perception that there is a lot of hate towards aboriginals in this city.

you don't need to hear from aboriginals to know that there is a ludicrous amount of racism against them in Calgary and I'd say Alberta in general. But I'd say it's unfortunately almost a nation-wide sentiment (especially in the West, from my experience anyway) that they're a bunch of lazy wifebeating drunks who get way too many freebies from the big bad government in Ottawa. I've heard these stereotypes coming even from Metis people.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Nothing like using semantics to try and defend one of the most bigoted cities in North America...

??? Um, what? How is that semantics? Do you mean the poster I was asking was using semantics?

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Shazam

I've been yelled "chink!" at few times in my adult life.

Were you behind the wheel of a car?

Being from Victoria and moving to Calgary I didn't notice much of a difference in the way people were treated from different backgrounds. The only thing that I noticed is a lot of people refer to people from the Middle East as "Brown people" which I found odd and will say it right to their face. People in Victoria will/do look at you like a racists when you say it.