hkellick | A changing philosophy (Reply)

I wrote, some time ago, about what it was like to be a white boy in a predominantely lower class black neighborhood.
I wondered, aloud, how this might change me.
I think I know the answer.. it probably won't shock any of you.
If anything else, some might say I've gone rascist. I haven't really. I don't think all black people are XXX or YYY, but I feel my attitudes changing slightly.

I've been trying to find the words to write about my neighbors. It's hard. It's hard treading upon the race line and not coming off sounding like a complete bastard. It's hard not repeating myself on the few safe points I can make.

If anything else, I have a better appreciation for you folks out there who.. are very little like these people here.

I can honestly say that, a year ago, I'd never ever ever consider moving to Virginia. That's republican country. That's the place where whacked out senators suggest whacked out ideas like forcing women to publicly record when they go to abortion clinics.
That's changed totally. I'd totally live near a bunch of "redneck" middle class white republicans over living here.
I've never missed Amherst so much. Maybe I was sheltered, but honestly, I would never ever ever live this close to a city again. I'm a suburban boy. I realize this now. I like living NEAR cities where things happen, but not in them.
And people wonder why most cities can't seem to have a positive cash flow. :p Now that I've lived this close to one, I truly can say I understand.