Why are people racist? mostly in the south and middle states?

Question

I don't mean to offend anyone...but I just came from a trip around the states and I was treated very bad in 6 different states...which I wont mention

Also, I said MOSTLY (NOT EVERYONE)...and it is my opinion for how I was treated...

Answer 1

I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and have lived in Atlanta for over 10 years now. Believe it or not, I find that there is more racism in chicago than in the south. I define racism as someone who is openly hostile and hateful toward a person or group of persons of another race. That actually doesnt' happen as much here in the south anymore. Whites and blacks are very accustomed to one another here and know how to live with one another. The true southerners I've met here are actually very warm and open to black people. (By the way, I'm african american.) What I do find is a great deal of ignorance in the south which to me is very different from racism. Here in the south, people have found their "roles" and rarely venture from them.
In the north however there is a great deal of racism. Here in Atlanta, interracial dating is almost a norm versus in a placel ike Chicago where people still get beat on the street for it. greeks dont' date the polish who don't date the irish who don't date the germans... even the euro-caucasians in Chicago segregate themselves and only intermingle in the workplace.
My fiance is Colombian and I am black. We are very comfortable in the south though we do get looks. In Chicago, we're very afraid for our lives.
Why are people racist? That's a very good question. I will be the first to admit that each ethnic group has it's own traditions and cultures, even though we are all americans, however it takes a very closed and ignorant mind to hate another person merely because they look, sound or act different from you. But then again, people always fear that which is unknown or different to them...

Answer 2

I lived in southern Mississippi for almost a decade as I was growing up. I think the source of modern-day racism in the South goes all the way back to slavery in the United States and the Civil War. The Civil War devasted most of the southern states. After the Confederacy lost the overall war, there was a huge backlash against the newly freed former slaves. The attitude that the South shall "rise again" was kept alive for generations.

In addition, white people in the south had been brought up from childhood to view blacks as property, not persons. This attitude was passed down from generation to generation. I remember growing up in the south in the early to mid 1980's as racist attitudes and speech was common among adults and passed down to their kids. Being somewhat racist was even expected for those wanting to "fit in". If you were a white kid it was unheard of to just hang around with a black kid (or vice versa), outside of team sports, anyway.

Fortunately the south is no longer like that. Of course racism still exists, but as every year passes a person who is openly racist is regarded more and more as an uneducated goon as opposed to the "good old boy" label the same behavior would have earned 20 years ago.

Answer 3

You watch to many movies! I take offense to your question,I am from the South and am not racist,nor do I know people who are.The people of the Southern states are very sincere people,no matter what color they are.You should quit watching so many movies,and take a trip to the deep south.You will be welcomed with open arms,and treated with the up most respect.Just because a war divided our country 250 years ago,it is not like that today.I believe you owe the people of The Southern states a huge apology.Have a nice evening,and sit and think how you just classified an entire group of people-racist.

Answer 4

Because the south was the major slave states back in the 1900's and earlier.So today people still tend to remember it like the way it use to be, so that's why people still think like that, but I live in the south and I know exactly what you are talking about but I am not one of the racist people I think everyone should learn to move on and forget about the past and love everyone.

Answer 5

Are you racist? You sure sound like it, talking that way about the south & middle states...Racist people are ignorant people & because they are ignorant of the truth, they allow their fears or those of others to justify their stupid beliefs. Actually that's not true cuz stupidity is knowing the truth & choosing not to follow/believe it so ignorant people, being those who don't know any better, would have ignorant beliefs whereas those who would perpetuate myths like that the South is predominantly racist, even with all the black, brown & yellow skinned folks who live down here amidst the trailer trash, well they would just be Dumb!

Answer 6

I am not a racist but logically it would seem that people believe because we have larger numbers of both races. In the south, we are about 60-40% Utah has no problem be racist, the 2,000 blacks in the state do not make them feel threatened - economically - job competition & etc. Stand in a room of all foreign speaking people & you try not to speak so no one will notice you are a different nationality.

Answer 7

People are racist all over the world -- you're thinking of anti-black, but there are anti-Asian and anti-Jewish and anti-Arab to name just a few. Some people need to think they're better than other people, so they pick out a group to be biased against. Of course you and I know that if the only way you can feel good about yourself is by putting down a group of people who are different, then you're not a very nice person.

Answer 8

I would disagree with the mostly part and the location. People are racist because they are afraid of the unknown. Fear breeds ignorance. Ignorance breeds racism. This is true in any part of the country.

Answer 9

Simply because the "racist" person-no matter what color, ethnic background, race, country of origin, religious or non-religious affilliation, etc.-have not realized that every person is just THAT!-a Human Being, entitled to the right to Exist, and to live in Freedom.

Answer 10

Most of the ghetto type of black women hate white women due to jealousy or just plain racism.