[Little Bill]

What makes you think that the people in Southie are racist? As opposed to the people in Concord?

[massgopguy]

I didn't want to overreact, but my State Rep. who is a Democrat congratulated me last night in advance for retaining the Corner Office.
But as far as Patrick goes, he questioned "the character" of his two Primary opponents for disagreeing with him on policy during the debates. When he gets to Kerry Healy he is going to reiterate the words that Rep. Charles Rangel uttered in 1994 how "tax Cuts are code words for "S" and "N*".

[Ganymede]

"What makes you think that the people in Southie are racist?"

Hahahaha! Good one...

[maryz]

What makes you think that the people in Southie are racist?

There are, of course, racists in Southie, but the worst racist I ever encountered were in the Boston University English Department. (Yes, I've lived in Southie almost all my life -- we lived in the project in Roxbury for a few years when I was a kid.) Working class Southie has never been very PC, and all sorts of ethnic/racial jokes are de rigeur. (Some of them are even funny.) But Southie people are as ready as anyone -- and more than most -- to become good friends with a black -- or anyone else -- at work, school, etc.

If you're thinking of the busing fiasco, I hope you're not of the opinion that the only reason to oppose busing is racism. If you are, I suggest you give up FR and take up reading the Boston Globe.

[misterrob]

Different types of racism. One was a class battle (long rivalry between the Irish and the blacks) the other a more patronizing perspective.