I was born in Arizona in 1945, and spent a lot of time there

[MineralMan]

in my youth, since my grandparents still lived there. Later on in my life, I frequently traveled to the Tucson area to buy stock for my business of selling mineral specimens to collectors around the world.

In my youth, it was clear to me that the people who lived in the town where I was born had a deep-seated dislike for the Hispanic Americans who made up almost half of the population in that town. The prejudice was thick enough to cut with a knife, and was only exceeded by their prejudice against the Native Americans who also lived in the area.

Later on, it didn't seem a lot better as I traveled to Tucson on business. A larger community, but still displaying prejudice quite openly. Obviously, not all Arizonans hold those beliefs, but many certainly do. Despite a large Hispanic population, a look at that state's legislature gives you a quick picture of a state with an unbalanced representation.

Deep-seated and unchanging prejudices often bleed through to other aspects of life, it seems to me. Now, we have the assassination of a member of the House of Representatives to add to the ugly news we hear from that state on a regular basis. Along with that, the murder of a number of bystanders. Personally, I believe it's all part of a strange attitude I have observed there. A more polarized and contentious place would be difficult to find in the United States than Arizona.

If you're white and have adequate funds, you can isolate yourself there from these things, and many people do exactly that, keeping to the enclaves and gated communities of the state and only encountering the third-world aspects of Arizona when they venture out to a "Mexican" restaurant. They rarely see the other side of Arizona, and more's the pity. There is a very, very ugly side to Tucson, and to Phoenix, and the areas surrounding them. You might not even notice it, unless you travel outside of the usual pathways taken by those who have economic advantage.

I doubt I'll ever go to Arizona again. I'm not longer in that business, and my grandparents are long dead. I have no reason to return there, and have no desire to make a repeat trip.

[ceile]

1. I live in TX

and I know there is prejudice in some areas (maybe more than I know). But honest to god, I don't think anything like this would ever happen (knock wood). Even though we are a border state, our hispanic population is so much a part of what we are as a people and community. There are a few who would like to change that, but even republicans do not discount their influence. My heart goes out AZ, but I will NEVER visit there. Whether it's because of recent events or the treatment of minorities...

[HockeyMom]

2. It is very much the same in South Florida

and I have only lived here for 3 years. With the likes of Rick Scott, it would not surprise me that Florida too is going to become another of these "battleground" states very, very soon.

It is just about the same culture as there; the thems versus the us.

[jillan]

3. It's not just Arizona - there are pockets of insanity developing all around this country.

For example - look at Texas as their re-writing our history books.

If you think it's just one state, you are in for a rude awakening.

[girl gone mad]

4. Nice broad brush.

Arizona is a beautiful American state, with a lot of good people, including the Congresswoman and her family.

[MineralMan]

13. And I said there were good people in Arizona.

Not a broad brush at all. Just my experience with the state. Please remember that I am a native of the state.

[blondeatlast]

23. Yes--and this Arizonan of almost 40 years will also tell you that there's

a special kind of hatred and bigotry here. The "good people" here vote for Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Governor Jan Brewer, SB 1070, and tolerate institutionalized disenfranchisement of brown people.

[AsahinaKimi]

5. I lived in Scottsdale for two years...

And frankly never had a problem with people there. But due to my eventual unemployment I moved back to the Bay Area. I loved it there, the weather, the lizards, the dust storms, the lightning storms... I just wish it had an Ocean. I missed the Pacific West Coast.

[GSLevel9]

15. yup, thumbs up for Scottsdale! nt

[pecwae]

6. Prejudice, bigotry, racism

are not disorders exclusive to AZ or any other state or country. It's the height of naiveté to think so.

[blondeatlast]

8. Of course it isn't==but it's exacerbated here and it's institutionalized.

We deserve this spotlight.

[GoCubsGo]

11. Exactly right.

My parents live in Phoenix. I look at it compared to my town in South Carolina. Six of one, a half dozen of the other. Saw the same shit in Chicago, where I grew up all those years ago, too. And, in Georgia, where I went to school.

[blondeatlast]

7. Very accurate--and Pima county and Tucson are much better in this respect than Maricopa (Phoenix)

County. I grew up in a small town in Pinal County (Coolidge), where there were no gated communities and a single school that we all attended. the disconnect was not as intense there, but it was still palpable.

When we moved in my teenage years to Phoenix (dad wasa state employee), that disconnect became glaringly evident and has been exacerbated by the influx of easterners and retirees.

We are rapidly deteriorating into 1960s Alabama here--I'm NOT exaggerating. "Bull" Arpaio, SB 1070, institutionalized suppression of Latino votes--it's all right here and there are many who make their livings out of making it worse.

EDIT: Let me state my authority--my family moved here in 1970 and I've never left, although I'm considering it now.

[MineralMan]

14. I was born in Superior, in Pinal County, and my grandparents

lived there until they died in the late 1960s.

[blondeatlast]

19. I blame the retirement communities in large part.

AZ produced some damn good liberals: Mo Udall, Raul Castro, Bruce Babbitt, etc. There's a definite timeline there, though. The dangerous nuttery started in the '80s and it's deteriorated rapidly.

The retirees vote for Joe Arpaio and Jan Brewer--and of course, live in gated communities.

I love the Sonoran; absolutely adore it, but I've had enough. When my son starts college, if not before, I'm headed for friendlier climes--even though it will break my heart to do so.

[MineralMan]

21. Arizona is a beautiful place. There's no denying it.

It's turned ugly only because of some of the people living there, and because of some of the people who have moved there from other places and want to make it a place for only part of humanity.

The gated communities are a very recent thing, historically. But, they often countenance what is going on there under the illusion that it helps insure their safety. In the meantime, the brown people cut their lawns, clean their swimming pools and their houses.

Not all prejudice is expressed verbally. Some is passive in its support for the evil.

[Mark Maker]

9. I was born in Minnesota about that same time

Grew up and live in St. Paul and vicinity. Remember the good old days when the Blacks lived in the Rondo area and the Hispanics lived down S.Robert way and the Jews kept to Highland and if you were a person of color you didn't venture too far out W. 7th or over East Side? And where did those tolerant people of Mn decide to run I94? Well, right through Rondo because it was only the Black neighborhood so who cares. And tell me how much has changed with the addition of the Hmong, Vietnamese and Somalis?

But I only lived there for 58 tears, maybe you've changed things.

I think your rose colored glasses need a cleaning.

[Vinca]

10. I always thought I might go to the southwest at some point to live.

I love the scenery, the architecture, the Native American arts and crafts and Mexican food. What a shame the place is infested with wingnuts.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

17. New Mexico's not near as bad.

The eastern part of the state can have quite a few bigots but, for the most part, we have a Hispanic community that's been here 400 years and is quite well represented i the state. Another thing I've noticed here is that mingling between Hispanics and "Anglos" is common and not given a second thought like it is in some states. Of course right now we have a wingnut governor just elected to office but hopefully it's an anomaly.

[UTUSN]

12. K&R #2 & I can't believe it's ONLY #2. n/t

[Alexander]

16. I lived in Tempe for 6 years, and saw more racism than I did anywhere else in the US.

Mind you, I went there for college, and the racism I saw wasn't as concentrated in the college population as it was among Arizonans who had lived there for years.

Many people, including my parents, live in gated communities in suburbs of Phoenix and hardly ever see the institutionalized racism or poverty, homelessness and fear that runs rampant throughout the area. But it's there, and I saw a very nasty side to Phoenix when I lived there.

[tekisui]

18. Assassination attempt. Giffords is still alive.

[MineralMan]

20. Others are not still alive. Sorry, but it was an assassination.

The primary target may still be alive, but that's picking nits.

[tekisui]

22. Your quote:

"..we have the assassination of a member of the House of Representatives to add to the ugly news..."

That is incorrect. A member of the House of Representatives was not assassinated. It is not picking nits, it is inaccurate.