4 ms·

That is bullshit there are plenty of areas in Birmingham that have equally scummy white people in them. Also if people are throwing rocks at you, you are def in

by foop2 9y ago

That is bullshit there are plenty of areas in Birmingham that have equally scummy white people in them. Also if people are throwing rocks at you, you are def in the wrong area, it's a city there are some places you can't go, it's a bit like walking through inner city LA and being surprised you got robbed.

Inconel 9y ago
This is the first time I've heard this kind of argument here on HN. It sounds an awfully lot like victim blaming and I'm unsure why you think it acceptable that certain people not be allowed into certain parts of a city. Also, as a South LA resident, LA doesn't really have an inner city, or at least it hasn't been the area traditionally known for high crime.
- rhapsodic 9y ago
  > Also, as a South LA resident, LA doesn't really have an inner city, or at least it hasn't been the area traditionally known for high crime. The phrase "inner city" is not geographical; it's a code phrase for a predominantly black neighborhood, or in some cases, a lower-income neighborhood.
  - Symbiote 9y ago
    Maybe in America, but in Britain it means the dense area surrounding the city centre. That can be wealthy, poor, or mixed. In Britain, we might say "local authority", "council housing", "council estate", but I can't think of a euphemism.
  - Inconel 9y ago
    I'm aware of the origin of the phrase, and how it relates to white flight, urban deindustrialization, housing policy, specifically public housing policy, and housing discrimination, particularly as it affected the urban core of major cities. It absolutely does have it's origin in geography, which itself can often be weaponized as a tool for segregation. LA has it's own set of problems regarding these issues, but I've never heard then described as "inner city" problems, that's all I was trying to point out. On the other hand, if the poster I was replying to meant to imply that you can't be around poor black folks without being robbed, I'd prefer they come out directly and say that, rather than hide behind coded euphemisms.
sprash 9y ago
I agree there are "scummy white people" too. But they only get aggressive on alcohol after sport events. They are definitely not the ones throwing acid at people. This is just a different level violence. I lived in Selly Oak. I don't know if this area is particular bad. At least the rent was high enough.
- foop2 9y ago
  Selly Oak was once quite a nice place, not so much now. And I dunno if this is a new level of violence, it's just changed because you can't carry a knife anymore. But the premise that only Pakistanis carry out acid attacks is wrong. There are racial divides in Birmingham but violence and crime is pretty universal.

by foop2 9y ago

Inconel 9y ago

This is the first time I've heard this kind of argument here on HN. It sounds an awfully lot like victim blaming and I'm unsure why you think it acceptable that certain people not be allowed into certain parts of a city. Also, as a South LA resident, LA doesn't really have an inner city, or at least it hasn't been the area traditionally known for high crime.

rhapsodic 9y ago
> Also, as a South LA resident, LA doesn't really have an inner city, or at least it hasn't been the area traditionally known for high crime. The phrase "inner city" is not geographical; it's a code phrase for a predominantly black neighborhood, or in some cases, a lower-income neighborhood.
- Symbiote 9y ago
  Maybe in America, but in Britain it means the dense area surrounding the city centre. That can be wealthy, poor, or mixed. In Britain, we might say "local authority", "council housing", "council estate", but I can't think of a euphemism.
- Inconel 9y ago
  I'm aware of the origin of the phrase, and how it relates to white flight, urban deindustrialization, housing policy, specifically public housing policy, and housing discrimination, particularly as it affected the urban core of major cities. It absolutely does have it's origin in geography, which itself can often be weaponized as a tool for segregation. LA has it's own set of problems regarding these issues, but I've never heard then described as "inner city" problems, that's all I was trying to point out. On the other hand, if the poster I was replying to meant to imply that you can't be around poor black folks without being robbed, I'd prefer they come out directly and say that, rather than hide behind coded euphemisms.

sprash 9y ago

I agree there are "scummy white people" too. But they only get aggressive on alcohol after sport events. They are definitely not the ones throwing acid at people. This is just a different level violence. I lived in Selly Oak. I don't know if this area is particular bad. At least the rent was high enough.

foop2 9y ago
Selly Oak was once quite a nice place, not so much now. And I dunno if this is a new level of violence, it's just changed because you can't carry a knife anymore. But the premise that only Pakistanis carry out acid attacks is wrong. There are racial divides in Birmingham but violence and crime is pretty universal.