I never thought I would be apart of this snobby-we-say-were-not-snobby part of town.
It’s not near any expressway.
It’s barely near any grocery store.
I’m surrounded by bars, fairly interesting restaurants (ok some really good ones), one of kind little shops, tattoo palors, and tons of people in black horn rimmed glasses.
I mean there must be a shortage of these glasses.
Everyone wears them.
I even saw a little dog with them on along with the requisite black beanie.
He was on his way to Ramsi’s.
One thing that this place is missing:
black folks.
HA.
I’m going to be the one that says it.
Hardly any black people live at this end of Broadway.
It’s kinda of funny, because people look at me like I’m lost and need to start heading west.
It’s all good though.
I have tons of self-confidence; I just look at them like “whatever, you east-end-I-wanna-be-cool transplant.”
I’m not knocking the
Highlands, but have you ever met a group people who love their area more?
Okay, exclude the
West End, Newburg and :: insert any project here ::
. For real though, I think I’m just hating.
7 comments:
Talk up Louisville.
Invite all your upperclass African-American friends to move to Louisville and Kentucky. Show them the benefits of the Old Kentucky Home...:)
Please do not talk up Louisville to your Upperclass African-American Friends. You will end up friendless.
I am a former Louisvillan; who still loves his home town, but after 36 years of living with simmering racism, enough was enough.
Being followed by store personal, because i fit the profile of a shoplifter (black male).
Being asked by someone to retrieve their car from the parking valet because I fit the profile (black male; however, no jacket proclaiming VALET".)
Or being asked what aisle the candles are in at a Target, because I have a shirt and tie on.
All those things were pushed aside by me and many other blacks. But racial profiling by the police...2 times being stopped on Shelbyville Road by a police officer, questioning why we were looking at Mercedes Benz's. (This was dream car of our's while we were in college.)
This is not even mentioning the gentleman that was 5'6", 150 pounds (soaking wet in winter cloths) that was shot over 15 times, while handcuffed behind his back.
And if you called a spade a spade, then you were accused of playing the race card.
When you got angry over something that should have been easily identified as discrimination, my white friends would look at me with "deer in the headlight expressions" and ask, "what are you upset about."
I love Louisville, and will forever talk about my former home there to anyone that will listen. However, Keon, tell me what are the benefits of the Old Kentucky Home - it's symbolism as a plantation or even the song "My Old Kentucky Home" .....the sun shines bright in the old kentucky home, tis summer, the darkies are gay......"
Louisville is still not a good fight for African-Americans, unless you want to be treated as second class citizens.
I guess I'm not the best person to represent Da Ville, because I'm here in Atlanta with all the other expatriots...
However, I was challenged...so here we go..
Racism is everywhere. I live here in Atlanta and it's even here. However, unlike Louisville, there is a very large black population. You want to talk about simmering...come to the deep south. People in Louisville are more honest because they can afford to be...however that's another issue.
Kentucky is only 7% black... However, last I check the cheif of the state police was a black man. That may not be the case now..but it was. They are attempting to improve the representation of blacks in politics eventhough it isn't of significant political consequence. We didn't have the riots of Cincinnati in the last two decades. The African Americans of Louisville live better than their counter parts in Cincinnati which is significantly large with a larger black population. How many black aldermen are their in Cincinnati? I have siblings in Louisville with degrees that have been able to lift themselves up. One with Bell South, One with Humana, another with a local TV station. You think that their racism in Louisville? Visit Chicago, Philladelphia, New York then come back and comment. I know person from each of these cities. That's too far...check out Cincinnati, and Cleaveland over in Ohio. There are opportunities in the city and state of Kentucky, however we can't run...(myself included).. We have to make a stand and say...we'll improve the place where I am and started. I see that starting to happen in Louisville. There are several black businessmen that have put their money where their mouths are. Lyle Mall, Mr Johnson new headquarter in the California Neighborhood, several businesses up and down Broadway that men and women didn't have to open. The grandgala in my oppinion was just a little flex of Louisville's black muscle. The problem is that we don't think big enough and we don't support. Broadway Cinemas was good while it lasted...however...Theater all over the country are suffering...This isn't a black issue. Park Duvale...it still considered successful...still it lacks businesses. You want to see racism... Visit the old area where Cabrini Green used to be in Chicago...tell me how man black faces you see? It would have been easy for that to have happened in Louisville yet it didn't. Brother, I don't undermind what you said...because it is valid. However, that isn't only the case in Louisville. That happens even here in Atlanta...the so called black mecca. If anyone here has been to ATlanta... I'm sure you've visited Lennox Mall. However, I bet you don't know that...They didn't want blacks there!!! The train(MARTA) wasn't extended to Buckhead till the 90s!!! And still today...you can't catch public transit from downtown Atlanta to the 'burbs. Why do you think that is? In Louisville we talk about how the West End changed from black to white...
That's still the case here in Georgia. I submit... The city of Atlanta, DeKalb Co., Gwinett Co, and Clayton Co.
If anyone wants to debate me on this... you may reach me at
abbysenia@hotmail.com
That's my Old Kentucky home.
P.S. regarding our state song...
It was created by BLACKS!
Check the legend and storied of Steven Foster yourself.
Also Kentucky had the 2nd largest number of black soldiers during the civil war.
there was no law against blacks reading in kentucky.
and we didn't adopt the confederate battle flag in our state flag.:
Looks like there is a black upper-class scene in Louisville. I see in the party crasher, there was an art party. As I told you, you have to get out support and recruit. As a friend told me...
If we want to see change in our community(ies) we have to affect change.
Keep it up Louisville!
I'm an African-American woman who moved to Louisville almost 2 years ago with my employer. This city is the most segregated place I've ever lived. Outside of the "west end" , I see a mere glimpse of black people, especially in subdivisions located east of the Gene Snyder and Watterson Expressway. There also seems to be a disproportioned amount of African Americans below the executive and managerial levels in most businesses and establishments. Just look around. I wouldn't recommend anyone of color to move here.
aw
My family and I are native Atlantans and are considering moving to Louisville. I thought that I would look up the racial issues in the state and man, I'm reconsidering. I'm getting to old and stubborn to deal with raism. If my husband's job requires us to move, how do I deal with the problems. I have a teenage son and daughter who has not experienced anything like what I've heard. Any advice
I moved here from Orange County, California. The whole city is a snooze-fest aside from the Highlands, which may be the only artistic outlet I can find in the grey city. I know many people are attached to their "old kentucky home" and nearly spray their pants whenever I mention anything about my contempt for it, but let's face it: it's the SOUTH. Boring and full of former racists. Thankfully now that the population is increasing I'm starting to see a change, but vaguely.
Suffice to say, Louisville needs to get some entertainment up and running. Eating fast food and walking like a thug down the street isn't my ideal source of fun.
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