GROUP 2: Moderators - Harris Sokoloff, Veronica Davis

Why did you come here tonight?

• To learn
• Important topic
• Enjoy process
• Must get along
• Regional problem
• Important issue & diverts us from other issues
• Why neighborhood(s ?) change when people move in
• Learning to understand others is educational
• Important to be liberal when other moves in
• See city prosper as before
• Rebuild Philadelphia economy
• Important topic and educational process
• Not just black and white
• City will dry up if we don't respect diversity
• One of a long list of important topics
• A neutral ground to talk about this topic
• Curious about why it is a racial not a "people" issue

Stories:

• In the past, when African Americans moved into certain parts of the city, the area went downhill. Euros moved out of those neighborhoods
• Children learning about different cultures
• Richness of stories gained from living in a diverse city
• Opportunity to meet people she wouldn't normally meet - more open to talking to different people & becoming comfortable with that
• Opening up to people can be helpful & defy expectations
• Willingness to talk to others can highlight commonalities
• See people as people and stop focusing on color
• Representing the "group" can be a problem; being blamed for ills attributed to the group
• Saying something is a racial issue when its not; racism is learned at home and in the community
• Predominantly European schools were more advanced than predominantly African American schools. She lost out by being transferred to a predominantly African American school.
• Fought segregation when she was in school and is surprised to see how segregated things are now. This has decreased her interaction with others unlike herself.
• Grew up in a town that lacked diversity & moving to a Philadelphia exposed her to new experiences.
• Attending cultural events (play) in the city allows for new experiences & interaction with different people
• In general has had positive experiences with Euros. & had positive friendships in the past & today in her neighborhood.
• Don't focus on race, focus on character. Lived with a lot of diversity & established many meaningful relationships
• Regardless of race, its about people & the quality of people
• African Americans are given preferential treatment because of their race & are given jobs etc. that they aren't qualified for
• Race doesn't affect whether people take care of their neighborhood - investment is key. Thus, owners & buyers generally take better care of the areas they live in
• Overwhelming feelings of leaving one neighborhood that lacked diversity to another that's complete opposite- too much change at once.
• Discrimination based on race
• Different treatment of African Americans & Europeans with sinking homes
• Worked with a manager for whom race wasn't the issue but rather fair treatment of employees. Had a great style in dealing with employees.

"Not up yet":

• Defensive relationship and power struggle between races grew into friendship over time by sharing.
• Crime and robbery are dragging city down - blamed on African Americans, but its not just them.
• People who are different are pushed out of workplace
• City and others respond differently to crimes against racial minorities
• Race doesn't mean anything, how they act does.
• Police stop and harass minority in wrong color
• Economic conditions can be blamed for decay
• People can make a difference
• Only two races are being talked about - what about other races?
• All kids can do well if given chance & support - despite economics
• Censorship about crime statistics between black and white crime

What do you notice?

• Black-white -> other groups missing: lack of international base/mix, limited view of diversity (ethnic - homosexuality)
• Nothing about voting pattern
• Job market is divided (white - black): who is doing hiring? Who you know matters? But will that help keep job?
• Represents our narrow point of view
• No experience with Chinese, Hispanic = limited experience with those groups
• How treated in your work environment matters
      : minority must earn respect
      : barriers of color exist and we have to work to overcome them
      : sometimes it is public that makes it difficult
• Hierarchy within minority groups
• Anger and rage on both sides usually based on misconceptions
• Race, ethnicity, diversity are all different - is it code for color?