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In short, it s because you seem to assume that the description of the neighborhood given was also the reason why it is cheaper. (It isn't, the reason is because
by schoolixer 12y ago
In short, it s because you seem to assume that the description of the neighborhood given was also the reason why it is cheaper. (It isn't, the reason is because its way the away from the center of town with almost nothing but residential areas).
Generally stereotypes as a concept are considered inherently pejorative in the USA.
Secondly, your inference that people are avoiding the neighborhood is because of the local population. People aren't avoiding the area, the neighborhood is mostly staying the same. Large numbers of people moving into a neighborhood is the exception to the norm. Particularly in San Francisco where there are protections on existing residents such as rent control.
Thirdly, in the USA we would view asian-american as a cultural description, or nationality description, rather than as a racial description. When someone says 'asian grocery store' they don't typically mean 'because asian people shop there,' but a place where foods sold in asia are more available. This point of view would be particularly so in the bay area worldview. In the USA, it is generally considered offensive/patronizing to compliment people based on their race for any reason. People want to be recognized for their abilities on an individual level, or because of some meritocratic reason.
I could go on, but the other reasons are more or less permutations of the above.
- sfjailbird 12y ago> you seem to assume that the description of the neighborhood given was also the reason why it is cheaper The OP wrote: "Sure, it’s 80% Chinese American, but [it's cheaper]". That made me wonder too why the ethnicity would be a drawback.
- schoolixer 12y agoAll he is saying is that the demographics are heavily skewed, which is typically considered unusual. The ideal being an area that is representative of the population at large.
- disputin 12y ago"typically considered unusual" - In SF specifically? Certainly not unusual elsewhere eg London where there is clear cultural clustering.
- schoolixer 12y agoYes, 80% is considered a bit extreme. We have cultural clustering in the US but you won't find people advocating for it or describing this scenario as ideal. The initial poster was asking why he was getting downvoted. An example of how this plays out is demonstrated in the article itself. The author says '80% asian-american' rather than 'asian neighborhood.' From a political correctness perspective, people in the US don't want to be seen perpetuating anything that could be considered a form of segregation. Simultaneously it is considered negative to be seen as 'gentrifying' a neighborhood, i.e. disrupting the traditional demographics of a neighborhood.
- disputin 12y agoI can't reply to your reply, so replying here. What about Little Italys and Chinatowns?
- pcthrowaway 12y agoStereotypes are ok as long as you're stereotyping straight white cis-men.
- zingar 12y agoOk fair enough. My assumption was that real estate everywhere in SF was in crazy demand and that if there wasn't demand that meant there was something wrong with the place. There was also OP's comment about being "alone" in the neighbourhood, but maybe I misunderstood. I do think separating culture from race is dodging half the conversation, but I can't argue with your observation that this is the reality of how most people in the area think. Thanks for the feedback.
- edraferi 12y agoThank you for writing this thoughtful reply. It does a good job of explaining how the American conversation around race/culture works.