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Blacks find pluses, minuses
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leadership | 8:28 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008
The leadership quality this woman has is a huge influence on her children. I
wonder if her children would be elected class president in other places too, but
because they are good leaders. She must be doing great things as a parent.
samhill | 9:14 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I grew up in an area of Salt Lake that was much more racially diverse than most.
Many neighbors of Latino descent and a few African. "Race" was an
unknown concept. I had no experience with racism until I was about 11 and
attended a summer camp in the Uintas on a sponsored trip for
"underprivileged” kids from elementary schools in the area. One of
the kids from a different school was black, kind of small and had a facial
deformity caused by a burn. We shared a bunk house with about twenty other kids
including the usual assortment of bullies. One day I came into the building
while one of the bullies was harassing the black kid. I thought it was because
of his face and in defending him I came very close to decking the bully, which,
because I was the biggest kid in camp, was enough to get him to back down. It
wasn't until the day we left camp that it was pointed out to me that the
bullying was because of race. It had never occurred to me and was my first
experience with racism.
I considered it stupid then and even more so now.
I considered it stupid then and even more so now.
Comments continue below
What is NEW?? | 9:14 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008
Sorry, but this issue is OLD. I have Latino blood. I don't look it, or
speak with any indication. I am the full blood Mexican-American. I grew up in
the 60s in CA. High school had a stigma for the type that discriminated and
associated us with people who were dumb or lazy. I was neither and progressed
farther than some of my peers. Then I moved to UTAH. I had no problem being a
homemaker and most of my peers accepted me. Imagine that. But in the work
place, it was a different story. I look back now, twenty years later, and it is
IGNORANCE and lack of associating with "people of color." Although I
dislike that connotation, because I am fair skinned!There is just an underlying
intolerance of those "rednecks" who think they are better than those
in the above categories. I am educated, and it burns others minds that someone
can rise above their mediocrity, as I can tell they had no desire to be better
than they are. These types are in the minority. For the whole, Utah is
tolerant, kind and open minded. It is those few who discriminate.
robert petersen | 9:44 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I would like to know what constitutes a black person? As a child I thought
there was some racism in the 1930'. My best teen friend who helps me with
me computer is about 40% black. His father is white and his mother is about 60%
black. In the old days if you were 1% black you were black, but now I
don't see it that way. I'd like to mention that all the
"racism" is not from LDS folks. after all nearly 40% of our citizens
are non members.
Led Zeppelin | 10:24 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I remember President Gordan B. Hinkley saying it was a problem in the Priesthood
conference and it needed to stop! It was the topic of the year and said that any
racial remark by a man would make him unworthy of the Priesthood. I am white and
my wife is Latina. It is a problem and it needs to stop. My wife is treated
differently but it has nothing to do with the church. There are many bad
examples in the church that should not hold Temple recommends. But for the most
part I have seen positive in the LDS church. At work and everywhere I go in Utah
most the racism has been by Mormon-haters. people who just think negative and
nothing good to say about anyone who is different. Anyone who hates at all is an
extremist and that is totally wrong. nobody has a right to discriminate!
Hendrix | 10:29 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008
Oh yes my heros are Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jordan, Martian Luther King Jr, and BB
King! I am white, LDS, and love everybody. Can't you just feel the love.
We need to look forward and move on and leave all the hate behind. If anyone wants to hate they should be thrown in jail. There is no excuse!
We need to look forward and move on and leave all the hate behind. If anyone wants to hate they should be thrown in jail. There is no excuse!
A funny story | 10:52 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008
When I read this story, I walked down the hall to ask a coworker of mine
who's black if he'd read it. We've worked together for 10 years
and have grown to be good friends. He's from Chicago, has an MBA, and is a
program manager at our company (we make medical disposables), married with two
little boys.
I asked him "is it tough to be black in Utah?"
His answer made me laugh: "No, actually it's great. Utah is the best-kept secret in America for black folks. Everyone here is so anxious to prove they're not racist that they go out of their way to be nice to us."
I asked him "is it tough to be black in Utah?"
His answer made me laugh: "No, actually it's great. Utah is the best-kept secret in America for black folks. Everyone here is so anxious to prove they're not racist that they go out of their way to be nice to us."
Clint | 12:13 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I would like to commend Mia and others who excel in the opportunities that are
made available here. I had the chance to work side by side for a Utah County
company with Mia a number of years ago, and was very impressed with her
professionalism, enthusiasm, knowledge, foreign language abilities, etc. I am
glad to see that she is doing such a great job representing our voice here in
Saratoga Springs.
- Clint
- Clint
Mom | 12:18 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I have 2 grown sons and a nephew (all black) in their 20's who have
reciently moved to Utah under various circumstances, all incredibly talented in
different venues, and well educated, one teaching at BYU. I will be curious to
see what their experiences are. Another son did his undergrad studies at BYU 3
years ago and did have all kinds of stories to tell both positive and negative.
I can't pretend that I don't worry, but they are strong, articulate
and generous in nature so they will be fine.
White in Africa | 12:19 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
In the West I have over the years had some very dear black friends. Then 2 years
ago we came to Benin for work. Yes there is racial comments we have had aimed at
us. To my dear friends, now I understand more how difficult Racial comments and
feelings are difficult and hard. That is in the church or out, here in Benin
I want to do better | 1:45 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I think many of the racial issues result from ignorance. It is easy to SAY treat
everyone like you would like to be treated, but it is much harder to DO. I would
like to read an article on the top complaints from minorities living in Utah.
I want to know specifically what whites commonly say and do most often to offend people of color. Please comment if you can; we all need to learn.
I want to know specifically what whites commonly say and do most often to offend people of color. Please comment if you can; we all need to learn.
russ | 4:34 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
What an interesting phrase, "people of color." In the academic world
back east it came into vogue decades ago and we all over America still live with
it. It just confuses me no end. I have color. My skin is not opaque. It has
color. It is not opaque. It is not black, white, blue, green, or gold. It is
kind of tan but a soft brown tan. That is a color. On any scale, I have
"color."
What is this "people of color" garbage? We all have color, unless we are invisible or opaque?
Why has society swallowed the phrase, "People of color"?
I don't know. I just don't know.
What is this "people of color" garbage? We all have color, unless we are invisible or opaque?
Why has society swallowed the phrase, "People of color"?
I don't know. I just don't know.
Shelama | 7:31 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I am 58 years old, white, a Formon (former Mormon), born and raised in Salt Lake
City. I have also lived in New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington DC, Connecticut,
Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. The only people I have ever personally heard,
in my presence, to use the N-word have been Salt Lake City Mormons, most of them
in my own family. And it continues to this day. My experience of never having
heard that word used in my presence anywhere else in the USA may have been
atypical, even in a period of increased racial sensitivity and of political
correctness.
So what is my point? Certainly not that Mormons are the only or the worst racists in the country. Maybe that Mormons are just folks, as good or bad as any, no better or worse. And living in a country poisoned, perhaps permanently, by slavery and racism and its consequences and related failures. On both sides of the racial line.
So what is my point? Certainly not that Mormons are the only or the worst racists in the country. Maybe that Mormons are just folks, as good or bad as any, no better or worse. And living in a country poisoned, perhaps permanently, by slavery and racism and its consequences and related failures. On both sides of the racial line.
l | 7:50 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
russ, I see the point you're trying to make, but the word you choose is
unfortunately the exact opposite of what you're trying to say.
"opaque" means NOT clear or NOT invisible. so opaque = solid color,
whereas invisible/transparent = no color.
if you want to mix the two together, so light goes through, but it has color, it is translucent.
that didn't have much to do with the topic itself...just a clarification for the comment at 4:34 pm
if you want to mix the two together, so light goes through, but it has color, it is translucent.
that didn't have much to do with the topic itself...just a clarification for the comment at 4:34 pm
Idaho Native | 8:46 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I don't know what it's like to be judged at a distance of 100 yards,
as black and brown people often are. But I have lived with intolerance and
discrimination.
I grew up in Oregon and western Idaho, where my father (a public school teacher) was often the object of discrimination, even lost jobs, because of his religion -- back when they could do that and get away with it. Our family, and other folks like us, were openly treated as lower class by the white, Protestant majority. (So were "migrant workers" which meant Mexicans.)
My parents saw and treated everyone the same.
It wasn't until I lived in Chicago, PA, TN, MS and AL, later traveled for my work in CA and Indianapolis, that I saw black people treated like dirt, called names, all the stuff that even laws can not really prevent.
Then I moved to Utah and met lots of people just like my parents, who treat people as all God's children, regardless of their earthly ancestry. Just like us, these people I met here are white LDS.
I grew up in Oregon and western Idaho, where my father (a public school teacher) was often the object of discrimination, even lost jobs, because of his religion -- back when they could do that and get away with it. Our family, and other folks like us, were openly treated as lower class by the white, Protestant majority. (So were "migrant workers" which meant Mexicans.)
My parents saw and treated everyone the same.
It wasn't until I lived in Chicago, PA, TN, MS and AL, later traveled for my work in CA and Indianapolis, that I saw black people treated like dirt, called names, all the stuff that even laws can not really prevent.
Then I moved to Utah and met lots of people just like my parents, who treat people as all God's children, regardless of their earthly ancestry. Just like us, these people I met here are white LDS.
Great Resource | 8:51 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
Tamu Smith and many others of us would invite anyone to come to the Genesis
Group, where color doesn't matter.
We meet the first Sunday of every month, at 7pm. You can find us online.
We meet the first Sunday of every month, at 7pm. You can find us online.
Carl | 9:16 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
Yes, Genesis Group is good thing. They meet on 13th East just south of I-215.
We just attended the Christmas party last month, and had to move to a larger building for it, with 400-500 people of all shades.
Another one is a DVD about "Blacksinthescriptures" (by 2 men who happen also to be black). They have a website named after the DVD and ends in .com.
We just attended the Christmas party last month, and had to move to a larger building for it, with 400-500 people of all shades.
Another one is a DVD about "Blacksinthescriptures" (by 2 men who happen also to be black). They have a website named after the DVD and ends in .com.
Anonymous | 9:19 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
I would like to take a different perspective in this discussion. Here it
goes... The Oxford English Dictionary defines racism in the following manner:
The theory that distinctive human characteristics and abilities are determined
by race. However, the term has evolved to mean bigotry or prejudice. People
make ignorant comments, but often they are just that, ignorant comments, and not
racist comments (whether overt or covert). Racism (prejudice in all it's
forms) does exist, but let us be careful not to lump everything under the word
racism. I shudder when ignorant, but well meaning people are lumped in with
those who hate. EVERYONE has their prejudices... We should all try to be more
understanding of others and also more forgiving when people say or do dumb
things.
Anonymous | 11:55 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008
People, its just ignorance, plain and simple. Of course there's racism
here, especially to black americans, but its because there are so few that live
here. However, from what I've seen this community attempts to go out of its
way to not be racist. Doesn't mean they aren't racist, just means
they're not intentional bigots.
I'm as white as they come, but I grew up in a very racially diverse city. I went to prom with black girl...but even writing that now feels strange, because I honestly didn't see race in her, I just thought she was good looking. However, even though about 75% of my friends weren't white, we still had racism within our group friends. Mainly just ignorance not blatant hate. Cities like New York have attempted to deal with racism for hundreds of years, but is still far worse than a place like SLC. I don't think Utahns should be hard on themselves, just need to keep pluggin along and educating their children about prejudism (all facets of it, not just racism).
I'm as white as they come, but I grew up in a very racially diverse city. I went to prom with black girl...but even writing that now feels strange, because I honestly didn't see race in her, I just thought she was good looking. However, even though about 75% of my friends weren't white, we still had racism within our group friends. Mainly just ignorance not blatant hate. Cities like New York have attempted to deal with racism for hundreds of years, but is still far worse than a place like SLC. I don't think Utahns should be hard on themselves, just need to keep pluggin along and educating their children about prejudism (all facets of it, not just racism).
good article | 12:15 a.m. Jan. 22, 2008
This is a good article. I'm happy to see not only people in the article
having good experiences in Utah but also the commenters all making positive
statements about their experiences. I grew up in an area with with a lot of
different races - high school was probably 50% non-white - and race was more of
an issue the older we got. For example, looking at birthday party pictures as I
grow up, there are fewer and fewer black kids in the pictures. I don't
know why it was or is but there was just a natural separation. In high school
we had student panels and discussions about it, how to deal with race issues and
differences. Then I moved to Utah and found many of the same issues don't
exist because there are fewer minorities. But I also found there is a lot more
ignorance in Utah and when people get mean, they can be really mean, almost as
if they know they will win if prosecuted. I guess my point is it exists
everywhere and I'm not sure what the answer is. It's a lot harder
than just deciding to treat everybody nicely.
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I moved to the South from Utah many years ago and I find that all people really are the same. Yes, there is bigotry where ever you go but you don't have to be a part of it or even enable it. In the South this bigotry is on both sides of the race isle.
I am encouraged by those who shake off the bigotry and rise above those who would put them down, whether on purpose or out of ignorance and lack of tact. We all are God's children and should respect each other as such.