Curiously, some of the people who decry prejudice and racism in the strongest terms...surround themselves with folks who essentially, look very much like themselves.
Just look at various news events where someone is interviewed or walk into a restaurant, cafeteria, movie theatre, sporting, or musical events, people for the most part, self-segregate.
Is it custom, hsbit , hatred or ignorance..who knows for sure ?
From my observations it appears more to be lifestyle differences than any other factor. I was brought up by hard-working, barely middle class people and have always lived in a middle class neighborhoods. neighborhoods which believed in honesty, courtesy, rule of law and patriotism and Christian values whether practicing christians or not. I get along best with people of the same values and I think that stands the test of reason.
Just yesterday at my favorite Christian ministry center, I started a series of free classes on basic blacksmithing and furnished transportation for a young man (15), whom I picked up at his house. After class I drove him home, while he chattered about his home life. I learned these things;
1) His sister graduates from high school next month and will marry next day, she and her fiance have a child.
2) He wears a stretch bracelet in honor of his "younger brother's father", who died last month.
3) His younger brother's father died from some kind of combination of marijuana & crack.
4) He considers his mother's present "boyfriend" (now living in his house) as his Dad.
5) His "biological dad' is not at all in the picture, and hasn't been for years.
Incidentally, we are both rural dwelling caucasians.. All this I was told in about a 4 mile ride and I was struck with the degradation this youngster has faced much of his life. It is hard for me to accept that such "families' exist in my area. I will furnish transportation for my class and the ministry will take him under wing if they can.
In spite of the start in life, I can see hope..the lad said it is his aim to be a welder and a "minister'.. on his own, he attends a Free Methodist Church. Yes his sister in high school has a child... but she IS getting married. There is hope..
What I am getting at is ..How can I possibly relate to his "parents" socially..what would we share in cionversation, manners, tradition and values..and we are all caucasian, say nothing of adding language & ethnic differences ?
I'm not saying it is right or wrong but people, even the most "egalitarian", do tend to self segregate..