I’ve worked alongside Black professionals in major business organizations since 1970, in cities like Atlanta, Louisville, Miami, Washington D.C., and New York. In all that time, I never once heard a racist remark directed at a colleague—publicly or privately. In fact, people often went out of their way to ensure fairness and opportunity.
The constant talk of systemic racism doesn’t reflect what I’ve seen on the ground—it’s been weaponized by politicians to divide us and by race hustlers to generate donations.
Boston in the 80’s and early 90’s was pretty much as bad as it’s been described.
I am from Western MA and when I went to college in the early 80’s I was surrounded by kids from Boston. I was actually stunned when I heard them talk about the blacks back home. In my city, I would have gotten my ass kicked if I spoke like that in public.
A lot has changed since then. I doubt that people are as “rough” as they used to be. But it was bad, back in the day.