And every city has seen its racially segregated neighborhoods; Richmond has Jackson Ward (the oldest historically black neighborhood in the country, surpassing Harlem), Oregon Hill (historically home to the white iron workers at the Tredegar Iron Works), Mansions on Monument Avenue (historically and currently rich folks with bow ties and blazers with solid gold buttons). There are ways to integrate these areas; developers have found one way which is to buy everyone out and renovate everything to “Luxury Condos.”

While this re-gentrification has some positive effects (read: bringing money and business into once forgotten areas), it also has the added and detrimental impact of pushing those individuals who work in the service industries further from their jobs.

Myself working with under-served populations in the city and outlying areas, I have come to know the service industry employers quite well. I would be hard pressed to accuse a restaurant or grocery store of racism simply because their workforce is predominately of one group. People NEED jobs. Employers and the community need the service-industry jobs filled so we don’t have to stock the shelves or bag our own groceries. It’s business. And Richmond businesses have, for the large part, been very good at working with individuals with disabilities, among many other minority communities. Besides, the reason you don’t see as many college-educated white dudes cleaning toilets or sweeping floors is because they’ve been given several large legs up in the world and wouldn’t apply.

The problems that Richmond faces are big. We all know this. What’s good is to talk about what the problems are. What’s better is to then do something about it. Something real.

Imagine if we all put our hearts in our hands instead of our mouths.

And the festivals – how many whites attended the 2nd street festival? Well, I was there and there were hardly any white faces – like less the 2% of festival goers.

So, don’t complain if you are willing to take a chance yourself.

The racial mix of diners and workers depends on everything from type to the location of the restaurant. Check out the range in these places: Vietnam 1, Captain Buzzy’s, Mamma Zu, Croaker Spot, any Mexico, Aladin Express, Carytown restaurants, Sticky rice, former Acappellas, all the chains circling the city, Stuffy’s on Harrison, Tarrants, the Hill Cafe, etc.

Could it be possible that there is a lack of mix applying for certain positions?

If you walked into most RPS administration offices from downtown to individual schools, you would notice that most are predominately black.

Richmond: Where stereotypes are defined.

The first thing that comes to my mind is the caustic persistent racial divide that shocked me when I moved to Richmond 15 years ago.

To me Richmond’s message is:

“Welcome to Richmond, the white and black parts of town are very obvious, please stay to your assigned areas.”

Exactly! Gross generalizations!

I’m glad we’re on the same wavelength in using the word “punk” in a positive way.

From what new arrivals tell me, (gross generalization like this entire excercise) Richmond is very “Junior League” w some underbelly of punk. Like that Ratt video.