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Fri, Apr. 3rd, 2009, 03:15 pm
Austin - It Hates African Americans, Apparently


Businesses closing during Texas Relays

My favorite part - that there's no difference in crime during this weekend than any other big Austin weekend.  I love my adopted hometown, but anyone who thinks Austin is color blind or cosmopolitan is misled by it being the blue heart of a red Texas.  Austin is very segregated, and while it's as much economic as it is racial, the fact remains that most minorities in Austin live in the east and south parts of town, while whiteness and income increase as you move westward and, to a lesser extent, northward.  And, much as Avenue Q says, we're obviously all a little bit racist.

Fri, Apr. 3rd, 2009 10:29 pm (UTC)
[info]mmaresca

Having delivered pizzas during the Relays, I can say, regardless of race, some crazy shit happens that weekend.

That said, you are quite correct that there is a very real, downright tangible line drawn through the city at I-35.

Sat, Apr. 4th, 2009 11:10 am (UTC)
[info]da_craw

But as you say, regardless of race. Crazy shit happens when you get a bunch of 15-20 year olds all in one place, just because of youth.

Sat, Apr. 4th, 2009 03:47 pm (UTC)
[info]mmaresca

True. And I think that's the real thing about the Relays-- you've got a ton of marginally supervised teenagers in town, in hotel rooms, hitting the streets, etc. for the weekend. None of the other Crazy Shit Happens weekends (SXSW, ROT Rally, ACL) has that same youth factor.

Still, the highwater mark for Crazy Shit Happens weekend? The Lance Armstrong Won Sixth Tour Homecoming weekend. Holy fuck.

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