I'll be honest, I even feel out of my element when I'm in SLC. Haven't read this article or what it says yet, but I'm always blown way at how these players adapt there. Think of guys like Marvin WIlliamns who came from Atlanta to Utah.....what a culture shock that had to have been. Same goes the other way if a player grew up in Nebraska and played for the Knicks I guess. And Mr. BobDob, had a great time the other day bringing my son to get his hair cut from my friends over at Terrell Brandon's Barbershop..... felt like we were in the middle of Coming To America! #TheHCPLovesBlackPeople
Firstly, is it wrong that I picture you being Jessie Pinkman? Secondly, it is interesting that black people are so much higher proportionally. Thirdly, Gatorade me, bitch!
Auburn Hills is like 35 miles from Detroit. 10 more miles and it's like Portland to Salem. But regardless, in Detroit the population is 83% African American
I also think it's misguided to assume all white culture (or black culture) is the same. I've lived in the South and the Midwest and spent significant time in SLC. The white culture in SLC is much different than the white culture in the South or the Midwest. Although SLC, thanks to an influx of jobs in the high tech industry, among other factors, is now less than 50% Mormon, the Mormon church and its culture and history are still a very strong influence in SLC and especially the rural areas of Utah. I'm not saying that's either good or bad, just different. The white folks in SLC are different than the white folks in Georgia or Louisiana, who are different than the white folks in Indiana and Ohio. I would also suspect the black folks from Georgia and South Carolina are different, in many ways, culturally, from the black folks from New York and Massachusetts. There is more to culture than race. Of course race plays a part but so does location and ethnic heritage. Because of their different ethnic backgrounds and immigration experiences, white Irish Americans have a different culture than white Italian Americans or white Russian Americans. Again, culture is about more than race. It's about shared experiences and includes many things like music, cuisine, religion, etc. Anyway, interesting article. Thanks for sharing it. BNM
In their defense, catfish IS bad. I lived in Arkansas for three LOOOONG years. Catfish is bad. Grits are tasteless. Okra is slimy. These are facts.
SLC is not like Utah. SLC has a democratic mayor and (according to John Amaechi) a pretty hopping gay scene.
Yeah, back in the early 2000s, the population of SLC became more than 50% non-Mormon. The Mormon religion still has a big influence and presence, but it's not the mono-culture it once was. At least not in SLC. Many rural areas of Utah are still about 90% Mormon. BNM
SLC I am told is where young gay and lesbian Mormons from rural areas escape to. I agree sense of community is important. When you are part of the majority it's assumed. When you are part of a minority, whether ethnic, national, religious, sexual orientation, you are very aware of being outside the mainstream and then want to see others. Sure, we need to get along with people who are different but I can say that although I have zero religious beliefs I still like getting together with other Jewish people, who understand linguistic references, get the inside jokes, to whom I don't have to explain what to me are really basic things. Where I won't be asked "when are you getting your Christmas tree?" And when I am around only straight couples/families even though we can now get married too and many of my gay/lesbian friends have spouses and children, I feel left out. It's not anyone's fault, it's just the dominant culture makes assumptions that we are all part of it.
It's not about race, it's about culture. I lived in Kentucky for 3 years and learned to really like it. However, they strongly value alcohol, tobacco, firearms, conservative Christianity,.... things that I not only don't value, but am mostly opposed to. There was an adjustment period. I can imagine the same with "young blacks" (especially those raised in the south) in Utah or in Portland.
Everybody knows you're basically black (on the inside). Nothing like an old school barbershop though! I highly recommend all the white people go and visit one.
As a white guy, I agree. Going to a black barbershop is like the male equivalent to a woman's spa day. It's just a fun experience.
I should have went to one while I was up in Portland last year, not exactly a lot of those types of barbershops down here, lol.
Doesn't matter where they play, or where they live, it's Caucasians paying their exorbitant salaries and filling the stands.
