Is L.A. overly "diverse"?

Question

Many people say that L.A. is a model of diversity and diversity is a great thing. But is it really diverse in real terms, and could there be a such thing as being overly diverse?

This is how I see it. First, I value learning from all types of people - it definitely makes life interesting. But, at the same time, socially speaking I generally enjoy being around people with whom I can relate. I think that is human nature. It's hard to find many people to become friends with in L.A. because in some ways the city is overly diverse.

Moreover, many ethnic groups tend to socialize with their own people anyhow - so the idea of being a "melting pot" is inaccurate. The Armenians hang with other Armenians, the Mexicans with other Mexicans, the Persians with other Persians, etc.

I think the lack of unity in L.A. is a major drawback. L.A. is not diverse in practical terms - this is not a melting pot...it's just a collection of fragments.

Answer 1

I wouldn't say it's overly diverse, but your description of L.A. is accurate. It is not New York. People really hang onto their ethnic identities, instead of trying to meet others. I lived there for 14 years, and never really "got" the city. There were too many things that were artificial.

Answer 2

First, I don't thinks it possible to be overly diverse. And just because a city if diverse, doens't mean it's tolerant. There is no shortage racial violence here.

Someone once called LA 58 neighborhoods in search of a city. You have a point, people tend to congregate with their own, which if why Baldwin Hills is mostly black, monterey park is mostly asian, etc. Which is a shame of course, because we will never progress as a society unless we can accept each other. But at least we don't have ethnic cleansing.

Part of it's geographic. We are just a big *** city cut up into chunks by the freeways. There are many, many people who have neven been to many parts of the city, except maybe to drive through it.

Answer 3

First of all, I don't think L.A. is "overly" diverse. However, the situation you described is accurate in terms of a lot of the larger cities. I live in Toronto and even though we boast our "diverse city", people of the same ethnic groups usually like to hang out together because there is more to talk about and relate to. I've lived in L.A. and Vancouver and it seemed the same to me.

Answer 4

Chieromancer is correct. The problem with L.A. is not diversity as such. It's not even the fact that ethnic/racial groups congregate in their own little neighborhoods. That's true in every major city. It's the fact that L.A. have mismanaged diversity -- both as individuals and within the local government.

The problem is there's a serious lack of cross-cultural communication in the city because of it's vast suburban sprawl and freeways (even in the form of just walking to a different ethnic neighborhood for lunch,shopping, or hanging out).

Angelenos by-pass genuine human interaction with other groups through their excessive reliance on drive-thru windows, artificial shopping malls like Citywalk, and insular race/class clique lifestyles. Sure, we "see" different people in the driver's seat of other cars. And there are some scripted moments where everyone is on designated neutral ground (like at McDonalds). But as far as genuine presence in each other's lives and lasting friendships with families outside your race/class, it's an uphill battle.

This creates tension and mistrust whenever some outsider does try to move outside their geographical comfort zones. And unfortunately, it's simply not safe to do so because you don't want to be harassed, abused, or shot at.

In short, there's plenty of blame to go around. The government has failed to make us feel safe in ANY neighborhood. It has failed to create a sense of pride, purpose, and unity. It has failed to properly implement high-density urban planning. And the citizens of L.A. have failed to try harder, despite these challenges, to do it on their own.

Answer 5

You asked a question, but it seems as though you've already made up your mind. Then why ask the question?

Who doesn't like to be around people they can relate to, that's not human nature, it's common sense. Are you speaking on diversity in terms of distinguishing characteristics or inherent?

For the record it's not just "ethnic groups" that tend to gravitate toward "their own people". Caucasions, including myself, do the exact same thing and in greater numbers. We're the majority, did you ever think to yourself that perhaps these "ethnic groups" are just following our (Caucasions) example?

Answer 6

Yeh,,, and they all want to sit together at the same lunch table..