Mon May 24 2021 12:33:15 MST from ParanoidDelusions <paranoiddelusions@wallofhate.com>

The really interesting thing is, the first time we went to Tucson, once we got onto that side of town, my wife and I both agreed, "This feels like the Franklink/Stockton Blvd area." 

There are differences. Things get pretty sketchy in Mexico. But the general vibe is crazy similar. I also generally felt no threat  - but I realized that at any second, things could change on a dime - and that feeling isn't much different in Tucson or Sacramento, either. 

 

This is exactly why I tell people in Utah that I'm not at all worried about "bad" neighborhoods, and Oakland doesn't bother me.  As long as you maintain your awareness and don't act like a mark, you're probably fine.  Shit COULD always hit the fan, but it probably won't as long as you don't do anything stupid.  It was very funny the first time they mentioned I should be careful in West Valley and I said "I'm from California" and they said "oh, you'll be fine"

I kinda miss Stockton Blvd now, Mesa is low key boring lol

Also, profiling people and responding with prudent prejudice isn't *racism* - In East L.A. or Compton or London or Tokyo - you'll run into some people and you have experiences with similar people that let you know what kind of interaction to expect. If previous experience has told you that this interaction is best avoided - then do so. 

Kind of like the couple who tried to travel through the Middle East to show that people are people and stereotypes are bad who ended up getting beheaded in Afghanistan. A little realistic xenophobia and they would probably still be alive today. 

Thu Jun 17 2021 07:33:21 MST from TheDave

 

Mon May 24 2021 12:33:15 MST from ParanoidDelusions <paranoiddelusions@wallofhate.com>

The really interesting thing is, the first time we went to Tucson, once we got onto that side of town, my wife and I both agreed, "This feels like the Franklink/Stockton Blvd area." 

There are differences. Things get pretty sketchy in Mexico. But the general vibe is crazy similar. I also generally felt no threat  - but I realized that at any second, things could change on a dime - and that feeling isn't much different in Tucson or Sacramento, either. 

 

This is exactly why I tell people in Utah that I'm not at all worried about "bad" neighborhoods, and Oakland doesn't bother me.  As long as you maintain your awareness and don't act like a mark, you're probably fine.  Shit COULD always hit the fan, but it probably won't as long as you don't do anything stupid.  It was very funny the first time they mentioned I should be careful in West Valley and I said "I'm from California" and they said "oh, you'll be fine"

I kinda miss Stockton Blvd now, Mesa is low key boring lol

Most people are nice.  Some people aren't.  Body language usually tells who is who.  "Racial Profiling" could be racist if the cop is just hassling black kids for no reason, which does happen but not as often as they'd like you to think it does.