Subscriber Comments for
Scanner Report 11-21-11

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 234769	2011-11-21 07:26 AM
What are you talking about? Our hispanic population IS the majority general population in Santa Barbara. Are you saying the minority population are ignoring the hispanics?
COMMENT 234790	2011-11-21 08:01 AM
I think in general, people (mexicans and homeless included) are treated like 2nd class because they act like 2nd class humans. I know plenty of 'hispanics', some of whom I can call friends, who are first class people and live their lives as such, regardless of economic or social status. 772 is correct in identifying those who would rather live off the rest of us (and I don't include the OWS as a group, either). Making use of opportunities is much different than taking advantage---you can include plenty of the 1%ers in the 2nd class catagory!!
COMMENT 234809	2011-11-21 09:09 AM
Just the fact that people are referring to the homeless and Hispanic as second class proves that they are treated as second class. I agree with Roger.
COMMENT 234812	2011-11-21 09:13 AM
Good job "Roger..." Yeah, Santa Barbara- a town population of only 98,000 does more for the "homeless" than ANY other town this size in the COUNTRY! We also feed and house "nationals" of other countries South of here as well as their "born here" childeren with 18% of ALL housing being subsidized (section 8) as well as food debit cards. Plea-se!
COMMENT 234816	2011-11-21 09:19 AM
Mexicans have always been treated here as second class citizens. To this date there are restaurants I still cannot step foot in because I will receive no service. When my dad went to school in the 40's (mind you be was born here) he and all Mexicans and Mexican Americans were segregated in school. He still remembers when it was illegal to sell or rent your home to Mexicans in certain neighborhoods. Its funny how no one remembers Mexican Repartition. To this date the US Gov't has not apologized. Unless your Mexican you will never understand this. Bring on the racist comments
COMMENT 234823	2011-11-21 09:36 AM
790 is right on the money.
COMMENT 234829P	2011-11-21 09:52 AM
I agree with 790.
COMMENT 234830P	2011-11-21 09:55 AM
816 come on - don't say "unless you are Mexican you will never understand this". That's just as derogatory and segreate in nature as what you are speaking of. Not all people can understand exactly what it's like but clearly there are many that have empathy for all ethnicities and try their best to understand what they haven't experienced. By saying that you just spread the same branch of ignorance that created the problem you mention in the first place. I might not be Mexican or even Native American (not enough to notice) but I know EXACTLY what it's like to be descriminated against and treated badly. Doesn't make me want to go out and do it to others though. We will get no where in this world repeating the cycle!
COMMENT 234831P	2011-11-21 09:56 AM
Roger, your stories are heartbreaking and I think if you stop thinking about the negative stuff, life might just get better. I know it's hard when there is hardly any good to be sentimental about, just hang in there. I've been homeless, too. twice. It was awful. A woman at the jack in the box in ventura, on victoria, asked me to write NO ANAL on her back because she got jumped so often. Of course I did write it, I felt terrible about it, her not having a van to sleep in. Be happy Roger, and get well!
COMMENT 234831P	2011-11-21 09:57 AM
Try being a female, we catch the most flack.
COMMENT 234835	2011-11-21 10:01 AM
she not having is proper, sorry for the goof.
COMMENT 234839	2011-11-21 10:11 AM
Right On Roger!!!! Of course no one can admit it. Does anyone call the police on white kids when they are in a group of 2 or more somewhere? I do not mind these kids hanging out together, if random cars drive by, get out & stab you would you want to walk around by yourselves. The mentally ill have it worse then anyone in this town. I tried to find free therapy for low-income here and could not! Don't be angry by these cruel people Roger, they MUST demonize homeless, mentally ill, and young Hispanics. Your either the type of person that feels bad for people or is not and demonizes them to make it ok.
COMMENT 234816	2011-11-21 10:13 AM
@830 So you know what's its like to be pulled over because you drive a nice car and the police think you stole it. Do you what it feels like to go inside a store and not be offered help because the sales associate thinks you can't offford anything? Do you know the feeling of going inside a restaurant and sitting for 30 minutes and no ones waits your table and they laugh in your face as you walk out the door.
COMMENT 234823	2011-11-21 10:56 AM
816, would you like some cheese with that wine?
COMMENT 234858	2011-11-21 11:05 AM
I have to add another category - if you live on the lower east side, you are a second class citizen in the eyes of SBPD. I had cops in my yard without permission, arresting people in my driveway etc - they didn't even knock on the door afterwards to tell me what was going on. My husband once called the cops because there was a homeless woman unconscious in the street by Trader Joes. They told him they knew she was there and to leave her, she would be ok. Disgusting.
COMMENT 234809	2011-11-21 11:20 AM
The Mexican Repatriation of the 1930's was a horrible thing. The US government rounded up US born citizens of Mexican decent, put them on a train to Mexico and kept all their land, businesses and belongings. California recently admitted to doing this, but it is not well known by the general public. I know someone in SB who had this happen to his family. Imagine that all their things were left here in the US, including birth certificates and all documents, and they had no access to them.
COMMENT 234872	2011-11-21 11:37 AM
@809 People do not know much about it because only 4 out of 9 history books used today in the United States talk about it. The book with the most information on the subject only has half a page dedicated to the subject. It happened to my grandmother and her family. The police went knocking at their door and told them they have to leave. The police did not even give them a chance to show their birth certificates proving they are American Citizens. My friend’s grandmother was sent to Mexico as well as she was leaving Sunday mass. The police blocked off all the streets and rounded everyone up like animals. It did not just happen in California but the whole US. Over one million people were rounded up. I heard it took some people 20 years to come back many however did stay in Mexico.
COMMENT 234877	2011-11-21 11:53 AM
I think sometimes it's not so much we treat homeless and Mexicans like 2nd class citizens, but that some in both groups exhibit behaviors that make it clear they don't intend or want to assimilate into our society, and further, that they expect benefits for being here. Go shop at Scolari's, where one has to be panhandled on the way in, by guys that have been fed lunch at a shelter for free. Then the homies are using the baking goods aisle to do drug deals, so be careful! Finally you'll check-out where you see non-English speaking couples hand in WIC vouchers to get their food for free while you wait in line to pay for yours. Something is really wrong with our system here...
COMMENT 234883	2011-11-21 12:15 PM
@816. Besides the car thing, yes, I do know what that is like. It's part of the human experience. Sometimes your race has nothing to do with it. I think most people these days know that you can't judge a book by its cover. I used to work in a very high-end jewlery store where you learn this very quickly. Sometimes people are just having a bad day and don't want to help anybody to begin with. When I was in 3rd grade in Garden Grove I had hispanic kids beat the crud out of me everyday, why? Because I was white. They called me "white b**ch", that was my nickname when I was a little 8 year old girl in 3rd grade, given to me by the hispanic kids. So I could sit here and whine about what I've experienced by the hands of hispanics and blah blah blah but I choose to not go down that route.
COMMENT 234889P	2011-11-21 12:33 PM
816 so lets hear what the restaurants are that won't provide you service based on your ethnicity? If you can't name them or point to real examples of this its hard to believe.
COMMENT 234890	2011-11-21 12:43 PM
I remember my first few months in Santa Barbara--1966. I was pregnant with my third and liked to take my two and some neighbor boys for walks to the parks and down State Street, pushing a stroller. Being slender with strawberry blond hair, I did not expect discrimination. I ventured into I Magnum, I think it was. I was used to shopping in the best stores in the Twin Cities, but we did not have that store there. And I was shocked when a snooty saleslady came to me and looked her nose down on me, and said , "I don't think you can afford to shop here". I replied, "Well, you are working, and I am shopping, but I will never shop in this store again" . I never did. There were plenty of other neat shops in Santa Barbara
COMMENT 234809	2011-11-21 12:49 PM
@877 I wonder how many white people in SB are not paying their mortgages right now, how many aren't paying credit cards they used to buy flat screen TVs and stainless steel refrigerators. I believe this idea of excess and materialism in our culture has caused many more problems than poor mothers receiving WIC and taking care of their infants. Blaming mothers of young children is a new low in my opinion and as a mother I am offended.
COMMENT 234839	2011-11-21 01:16 PM
You wants some names: paradise cafe, we made reservations for 5 for my sons graduation. I used my white last name but when showed up with a mostly Hispanic group I was told They did not have a table for us after all. We went to Chili's on 3 separate occasions and never given a table, waiting for an hour or more when there is clearly empty tables. And yes they do laugh. If you shop at Von's in Montecito you get snickered and laughed at by the trust funds. I want a "rich types" injunction, I'm intimidated and scared. Oh and Tre Lune, would not seat my neighbors and they are not extremely rich but are local reputable business owners, and home owners with professional attire.
COMMENT 234921P	2011-11-21 02:34 PM
So much bitterness here, I'm surprised those who feel slighted stick around. If I felt that way, I'd leave. Bye!
ROGER DODGER	2011-11-21 02:44 PM
It sure is nice to see everyone communicate in a positive constructive manner. There is no reason to get all huffy puffy and angry. I was asked to leave a restraunt once because I carried a day pack. Therapy? Yea I could use some therapy where is that massage parlor at?
COMMENT 234954P	2011-11-21 04:52 PM
If you are living here and can't afford it then you are treated as a second class citizen. It has nothing to do with race.
ROGER DODGER	2011-11-21 06:14 PM
I guess I should have added poor. But through the years I have personally witnessed hispanics being treated like HELL. many times. I amost married a hispanic girl her father had gone through all the racist stuff directed at him and his family. I thought he was going to cut me up and make me into a Christmas Tamale. Someone mentioned their classmates having at it with them because they were white. My mom took me to a swimming class when I was 6 years old my first near death experience. I was the only white boy there there was 80 other students all african american..I don't know if they were playing polo with my head or what but I spent alot of time underwater. I learned how to swim real quick.. I've been poor mosyt of my life..I really get it for my long hair and beard though it makes me smile...:)
COMMENT 235016P	2011-11-21 09:54 PM
When I was a kid we owned a jewelry store in LA. I remember on several occasions that my father would ask black men to leave. It wasn't a categorical practice but if they were not dressed well, wouldn't take off their sunglasses or gloves or asked to see the most expensive items they would get asked to leave. I was always proud of him because it seems like he was confronting danger to save us from the "bad guys." I was a kid and that's all I knew. Today, I'd be mortified to see someone judged by their appearance like that. He was very racist. However, in dad's eyes, it was always young black men who robbed us (it was true) and from that he made some pretty broad assumptions. Thankfully they closed their store before going the way of buzzing people in and out. That is the lowest form of judging someone by their outward appearance.
COMMENT 235071P	2011-11-22 09:27 AM
921P - Not that easy to get rid of your neighbors. In a different world you may not have been lucky enough to afford a computer to post on message boards. Be thankful and sympathetic!
COMMENT 235072P	2011-11-22 09:28 AM
Roger: I'm sorry for what happened to you in your life. I had a brother who was mentally ill and homeless at times, and I shudder to think of things he must have experienced. He is gone now, bless his soul. People in general do not understand mental illness so they stick their heads in the sand and ignore it unless it directly affects them. I know a middle class white young lady who was assaulted and the public safety agencies did not give one c**p about it and a very lackluster investigation went on but no one was ever apprehended.
ROGER DODGER	2011-11-22 10:28 AM
I appreacate your kind words but don't feel sorry for me..I'm fine now..Fine stands for F ed up insane nerotic and emotional...:) Public service agencies don't seem to give a scrap about anyone anymore. I'm sorry about your brother.
OLDLAWOMAN	2011-11-22 11:05 AM
Love you, Roger. In total agreement with you on every point, too. That's just me.
COMMENT 234830P	2011-11-22 12:06 PM
@816 yup - sure do!! Because of people's ignorance about how other races feel about them - yes I have. I have gone into local ethnic stores and been IGNORED and looked at with NASTY looks on their faces by the employees. Or even restraunts where the waiter wasn't the same "race" as me. I don't agree with discrimination in ANY form. It happens both ways here and unfortunately that attitude gets you no where. No I don't drive a nice car so I don't have that problem - must be nice to own one.I have been pulled over by a cop for miles because a black man was driving it. Needless to say since the car was mine and insured and wasn't stollen the SB sheriff didn't ticket us..never did tell us what we were pulled over for. I went college in LA where I was the minoritie. My roommate (also white) was actually told she could not live in her assisgned dorm because they weren't having any "white b*&ch" live there. That kind of stuff happened all of the time. And still does. I was born and raised here and yes I grew up poor here - so I have seen it all!! SB is not a fun place for poor, homeless, mentally ill, black, white or Mexican - so it makes no sence why we all fight each other. Just what the rich of SB want us to do. If you'd accept a human as a human you might live just a little bit happier of a life.
COMMENT 234830P	2011-11-22 12:08 PM
72P Yes you are right - although so many people who are affected by it still chose to ignore it. Mental illness is a sad situation for all of those who are involved. Sorry to hear about your brother. It's hard to struggle along with a loved one who is suffering with mental illness. I know!
COMMENT 234830P	2011-11-22 12:17 PM
872 most "ethnic" groups were treated badly (to say the least) at different times. The Italians and the Irish for example. And for everyone's information Mexican is not a race - they are Caucasians - Mexican is an ETHNICITY.
ROGER DODGER	2011-11-22 12:40 PM
@830P Your not one of my sisters are you?
COMMENT 234831P	2011-11-22 12:52 PM
When I moved here in '74, the Castillo girls the same age as me, a couple doors down, would tease me and say I had a moon tan. I think they poisoned our cat, too.
SHAKEY	2011-11-22 09:58 PM
@839 I've had the same kind of things happen , like when I took my wife ( Hispanic ) and boys to carrows in Goleta . There were alot of open tables in front but they said we had to use the one in the back ( way back ) I kept waving for service , but nothing not even water. We wanted to see how long it would take till they finally came over, after 50 min we just got up and left. My boys were upset and wanted to know why we didn't eat ( they were very young at the time ) I told them that the new owner dosen't have to serve people he dosen't like and I guess he dosen't like Scottish people and I am half Scottish. I told them what goes around comes around. I told them the truth later when they were old enough to understand, we are happy to see most of the carrows are gone now, we never went to another one since then..
COMMENT 234831P	2011-11-24 12:05 PM
People get a clue! People in the service industry treat everybody equally, some are good, others are terrible! Some people think they are singled out, to be treated badly? Geez, People are people, some good, mostly bad. Quit playing the discrimination card, it just doesn't fly anymore.
SHAKEY	2011-11-24 01:54 PM
Hmmm maybe your right, maybe it's my breath ? NOT !! Racism is still alive and well in the good old USA ( Sad but true ) I also have to black brothers , we've all seen it's ugly face !!

55% of comments on this page were made by Edhat Community Members.

*** 4 comments were deleted from this thread by the Edhat Board Nanny for violating Edhat Comments Board policy. Click Here to see them.

Comments on this thread are only open to Community Members.

# # # #

EDHAT COMMENTS POLICY