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Is the improvement in black/white relations permanent?

Is the current thawing in black/white relations in Metro Detroit (as measured by a January Detroit News/WDIV poll) likely to be permanent, even though many social scientists say such a scenario would be unprecedented? Why or why not?

Yes	33%	This poll has closed but your feedback is still welcome
No	66%	This poll has closed but your feedback is still welcome

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Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 7:49 PM
From: Mark G. Johnstone
City: Redford, MI
E-mail: finseeker@juno.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: As long as people continue to keep score on every little thing that makes blacks and whites different, the racism problem will remain.
In fact, the more details and statistics that people do studies on, in their quest to constantly remind us of how different the two races are, the gap between the races will only widen.
The only solution is to reverse the present course and do studies about, and focus on statistics that show what we do HAVE in common, rather than constantly bombarding us with what we don't.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 6:38 PM
From: Mr. X
City: Datroit, MI
E-mail: 112@4352.213
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: Yes, the improvement is a sign of things to come. The responses to the survey questions may go up and down, but the overall trend will be toward improvement.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 5:44 PM
From: MR . M
City: River Rouge, MI
E-mail: mccrayronald@hotmail.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: September 11 would do nothing to change a person's perceptions about other races. Sadly, it would do nothing more than make those same people more suspicious. In order for the thaw to become permanent, all people (black, white, brown, yellow, and red) will have to respect one another five and ten years from today. By then, enough of the people from the old school of thought will be dead and more people can grow without being brainwashed into the same way of thinking.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 1:53 PM
From: Quien Sabe
City: Trenton, Mi
E-mail: qsabe@yahoo.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: Only after the Reverand Sharpton types have died off will sanity reign supreme.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 1:10 PM
From: Wallace Farmer
City: Forestville, MI
E-mail: blaqbullet@hotmail.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: I have always grown up under the perception, that if whites aren't outwardly racist, they are inwardly. This has made my dealing with blatant racism far easier to accept because it is anticipated. I assume that all whites are racist in one full swoop and I can get on with my life and not be sidetracked by it. I am not one of those people that yells "racism" at every snub. I actually find my dealings with people that are open about their rascist feelings easier to deal with than those that mask their true feelings, we can get on with the work at hand and walk away, I don't take it as a personal attack, I don't care nor try to understand it or its roots. I am far too busy making myself a better "human". Having lived in Detroit for several years and now living in the Washington D.C. metro area, I have seen how ill prepared I was with dealing with other races and racism, since Detroit is truly the chocolate city. I also think that most blacks tend to self segregate themselves. I would feel very uncomfortable moving into a white neighborhood. In fact when I first moved to this area I moved to Rockville, MD (an affluent white suburb) my neighbors wouldn't even speak to me! I felt as though I was not wanted and at times felt threatened for my safety and didn't feel that in this day and age I should remain somewhere where I could possibly be hurt by supposedly educated and affluent whites. In my present living situation I feel far more comfortable (a black suburb) and I wouldn't change it for the world. I think that America has a long way to go, and though the tradgedy of 9-11 has taken a little of the heat off of us (Blacks) I do believe that white America will go back to what they can readily identify, us...I cannot hide my black skin, I cannot fix my nose, or cut my eyes. I cannot assimilate, I can not cover my dark black skin and all the strength and revelations of people it has bought me and I wouldn't trade it for anything! I am comfortable in my skin and don't care about the discomfort it may cause ignorant people!

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 12 :19 PM
From: Brian O'Malley
City: Royal Oak, Mi
E-mail: brianjom@aol.om
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: I would like to believe that race relations between blacks and whites has improved since 09/11/01. But it's hard to believe that it's a permanent change. Perhaps a little ground has been gained. Eventually we will have to see that acceptance of others, regardless of race, is simply right. If there is not enough evidence to support premise this now - there never will be. If we have to experience more tragic occurrences like 09/11 to bring about good race relations, there won't be anyone left to appreciate the reality.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 12 :04 PM
From: Joe Shomoe
City: Detroit, MI
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: Why is it that whenever there is black person speaking out racial items are always an issue. This 2002 there are no longer any racial issues holding anybody back, I'm sick of hearing about poor this, poor that. Go out and get a job, and finish school, go to college and get a degree. No one helped me! There are NO excuses.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 11 :27 AM
From: que
City: detroit, mi
E-mail: qdhere1@aol.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: There is an applicable quote that says - The enemy of my enemy is my friend. When the two races no longer have a shared enemy the black/white race relations will return to what they once were.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 10 :12 AM
From: tiffany d.
City: Farmington Hills, mi
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: The younger generation cares less and was affected less by the racial implications of our past. This is becoming more and more a global society, and I believe metro Detroit will continue to grow toward this trend. With an increase of younger people living in the downtown area, you will see more of integration of people who just crave an urban experience.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 9 :48 AM
From: J. Smith
City: Trenton, MI
E-mail: jsmith447@aol.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: The continuing cry for "reparations" combined with blaming others for the majority of problems in the black community will prevent relations from improving on a long-term basis. No amount of laws or money can replace personal responsibility.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 9 :24 AM
From: Roger B. Dowd
City: Trenton, MI
E-mail: rogerbdowd@hotmail.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: Unfortunately, the improved situation is likely not permanent. Unforseen incidents could easily upset the racial applecart. I believe that there is still a widespread distrust among black and white citizens. Until this is overcome, the racial divide will remain.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 8 :14 AM
From: Stephen Midnight
City: Detroit, MI
E-mail: anthony_darkness@hotmail.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: Your question is worded very strangely (typo?). Anyway, this country will never receive absolution from its sins until it does right by the Blacks and Native Americans it tried to destroy. Slavery and the genocide of Native Americans has cast a long shadow over the principles of freedom, justice and equality esposed by the "forefathers". Some people say, this happened so long ago, we need to move on... but, what is that statute of limitations on murder, rape, robbery or civil rights infractions? Does one kind of man benefit from transgressions of their "forefathers" over another? Can this country repent remains the fundamental question.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 7 :46 AM
From: janice
City: detroit, mi
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: Relations between people of different racial backgrounds won't really improve as long as people live apart. It's only when living in mixed communities that people realize that we are more alike than different and have the same hopes, dreams and aspirations for ourselves and our children. When living apart it is too easy to accept all of the sterotypes, particularly when the media highlights the crime in poor -- in this case Detroit and black -- neighborhoods.

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 7 :27 AM
From: dave
City: westland, mi
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: Racism exist only in the heads of those who want it . For some reason certain racial groups just look for reasons for their own troubles. If you take away all racist reasoning your still left with the fact that minority's will always be minority's and if we cant get past leting the majority be the majority then we will all suffer the degrading loss from it. I really wonder why majority's cant express their thought openly and truely without reserve while minorty;s can say anything and even degrade the entire world arround them for their own personal gain or the gain of any one race.Black and white will never go away because racism is a additude of blacks who wish to use it as a tool in life.
I am 30 years old most my friends feel the same give it 30 more years and we will take away the free ride most have gained from this problem. If you continue to cry wolf the wolf is going to get you its all a matter of time now

Posted: Mon. Jan. 14, 2002 at 6 :24 AM
From: Steve Demeter
City: Plymouth, Mi
E-mail: attilla65@aol.com
Subject: segregation_easing
Comments: If Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton had nothing to gain in keeping the two races divided this issue would correct it's self. Most of the people get along with each other already but when the water starts to clear here come Jessie and Al to stir things up. These two would have to get meaningful employment if there was ever racial peace.