Well, it's now officially called Asia Town. Regardless of the name, it remains one of the coolest neighborhoods in Cleveland, a cornucopia of urban wonderfulness. I now live in the neighborhood, so I've gotten to know it pretty well, but one of the great things about it is that there's always something new to discover. These photos were taken on a recent evening stroll.

 

I tried to avoid taking photos of stuff that was in my first Chinatown thread, posted nearly a year ago. However, there are a few repeats in cases where I got a better angle or went inside the store/building (e.g. China Merchandise Exhibit).

 

There are efforts in the works to better publicize this neighborhood with signage, a Web site and perhaps new streetscaping.

 

EDIT 11/10: I realized what was missing from this thread were people shots. I was out today for a class and got some, mostly around the bustling Dave's Supermarket.

 

Shoppers outside Dave's Supermarket on Payne Avenue.

 

Dave's, with downtown in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

Josaphat Arts Hall, a former Polish Roman Catholic church and school now converted to an art gallery and artist studios, on E. 33rd St. (www.josaphatartshall.com)

 

This building at 33rd and Superior is home to the Chinese Freemasons Society.

 

Its storefronts are occupied by a shoe repair place and a fire extinguisher store. Do you love it?

 

Stefanec's Barber Shop, Superior and 33rd. A remnant of the area's Eastern European heritage.

 

Jet Shing Tong, an Chinese herbal store, and a convenience store, 33rd and Superior.

 

Check out Jet Shing Tong's storefront, complete with crazy statue and yes -- a penis enlargement kit!

 

A random house next door.

 

Luxury Nail Supply, Superior and 32nd. Cool!

 

One of the nicest storefronts in the neighborhood is #1 Pho, at 31st and Superior.

 

Golden Plaza at 30th and Superior, home to Superior Pho (formerly Pho Hoa), an Asian bakery and an Asian cosmetics store (at right in the photo). It also houses, improbably, a soul food restaurant.

 

E. 32nd Street, looking south from Superior.

 

Great Lakes Graphics, at E. 34th (I think) and Superior.

 

The impressive Tyler Village complex, at E. 36th and Superior, which houses among many other things a Shambala Center, a guitar maker and an art gallery run by CIA students.

 

Korea House Restaurant and China Merchandise Exhibit, E. 36th and Superior.

 

Inside China Merchandise Exhibit, endless rows of Asian tchochkes.

 

Another view. Britney!

 

A recent discovery for me is Kim's, a Korean market round the corner from Korea House restaurant.

 

Good Harvest Market on Payne is one of at least three large, free-standing general Asian markets in the neighborhood. The others are Tink Holl and Asia Food Company. Asia Plaza (pictured in my earlier thread) has smaller stores.

 

Chinese Christian Church on Payne, flanked by Eastern Sun Laundromat, which is "closed until further notice."

 

Here's how Asia Town Centre is coming along, at E. 38th and Superior. Now I don't like the design of this place urbanistically (parking in front) but it appears that beside adding the parking lot and a new building in front, they are also renovating some old brick warehouses behind.

 

Like these...

 

And these. New wall studs have been installed on both floors.

 

A sign on the fence around the construction site.

 

Cleveland Metrobark, a doggie daycare near 39th and Payne. The neighborhood's randomness is a big part of what makes it special.

 

This lovely old building is at the corner of 40th and Payne. It is home to Kaleidoscope Magazine.

 

Across the street is Bobby's Deli.

 

Another bit of randomness: A greenhouse perches atop a warehouse building near 40th and Payne. Somebody was in there watering plants.

 

The old May Company warehouse at 43rd and Payne, now apparently an office furniture warehouse.

 

Detail.

 

Across the street, some old brick buildings. Don't know what these characters mean.

 

An unexpected bit of frivolity: Jack Spratt's ice cream shop. Love the fire hydrant.

 

Mr. Spratt also operates a deli.

 

This building next door to the ice cream shop was apparently built by a guy named Grossman.

 

A trio of pretty shotguns on E. 45th Street.

 

Midway Delivery Service at 4420 Superior has a nicely renovated storefront.

 

Immaculate Conception Church, 41st and Superior. This church is so beautiful that I just may become Catholic.

 

Mass in Latin, anyone?

 

This is the school next door to the church.

 

Detail of the front entrance.

 

Ditto.

 

Just up the street is North Presbyterian, not as spectacular as Immaculate Conception but cool nonetheless. Next door is a company called Human Arc, which does something along the lines of administering Medicare plans.

 

Detail.

 

E. 40th Street is one of the coolest streets in Cleveland, and this is one of its prettiest blocks, north of St. Clair.

 

A nice house.

 

Yet another church. I think it's St. Paul, a Croatian Catholic church, though I'm not sure. Next door is the schoolhouse.

 

St. Clair east of E. 40th is one of Cleveland's more intact East Side arteries. From 40th to 55th it is mostly industrial with some commercial mixed in, and from E. 55th to 79th it is mostly commercial. Here is a view from E. 40th looking East.

 

Holistic medicine and chiropractic office, 41st and St. Clair.

 

Across the street, Celine's bakery.

 

Also at 41st and St. Clair is Kocian Meats, which has been around since 1922.

 

One of the better-known restaurants in Chinatown is Bo Loong, which also features late-night karaoke.

 

Siam Cafe, which occupies a former Denny's (I think), at 40th and St. Clair, is another of Chinatown's most popular restaurants.

 

I love these old-time diner signs.

 

The famous Mitzi's bar, on St. Clair. Mitzi herself recently passed away, and was Cleveland's most famous bartender.

 

Tin Fu is a Vegas-style Chinese restaurant on St. Clair and 36th; it is also home to the Baby Grand club!

 

The sun sets over Tyler Village. Goodnight.

Thanks for sharing your great pics.  Makes me homesick.

Asia Town's, Mayor Blinky strikes again!  Nice pictures...I have no doubt you will be relected by a landslide!  :-D

Loves it. Blinker's comment about the neighborhood's eclectic nature is true ... it's hard to imagine replicating a neighborhood that's home to working-class Eastern European taverns, to-die-for "southern thang" deep-fried Oreos, a plethora of Asian grocers (and what has to be the largest concentration of tea vendors in the city) and beautiful re-use of warehouses and churches as artist lofts.

 

If you haven't checked out Asiatown yet, shame on you. But you have a chance this Saturday, noon to 7, at the Day of the Dead (http://www.diadelosmuertosohio.com/english_version/event.html). The event is headquartered at Josaphat Arts Hall (1433 E. 33rd Street), the amazing arts colony/former Catholic Church featured in Blinker's first picture.

 

Last year, this traditional Mexican festival and parade drew more than 1,000 people for Latino ceremonies, music and dance (did I mention that the neighborhood is eclectic?). With a full line-up of events, this year's fest promises to be equally successful. So come on down to Asiatown!

Thanks for sharing your great pics.  Makes me homesick.

Ditto... Great pics, thanks for posting.

Ha, don't tell Joe C that you're the mayor of Chinatown!  This is his territory too!  :wink:

 

These are more great shots blink...some spots I've never seen. 

 

It's remarkable the change in this neighborhood over the century...yet there's so much that has remained the same. 

 

The storefronts, too, are remarkable.  From the variety of inhabitants to the fact that some are beautiful and glass, while others are just aluminum siding up to the 10' mark! 

 

And that May Co. warehouse...talk about showroom potential!  Look at the windows on the ground floor that have been covered up! 

 

I'm also glad to finally know where to get a penis enlargement kit in town at a place that doesn't treat it as taboo.  They put it in the front window for pete's sake!

They put it in the front window for pete's sake!

 

....and peter would be proud?  However, would any man admit he needs a penis enlargement kit?

Fantastic photos. When I bring in friends from the Big 3 (New York, LA, Chicago), this is one neighborhood I always try to show off. Every single tour guest is very surprised we have this. I suspect a majority of Greater Cleveland don't know about "The Near East" either.

Another great set of photos - I've been to Asiatown, but your photos have helped me pick new places to try, especially now that I know what I'm trying to find!

 

I know the owner of Celene's - she's a real sweetheart and let me tell ya, she makes a d@mn fine red velvet cake!

"Asiatown?" How annoyingly pc! Just kidding. I know things have changed a lot since the 60's, when non-Chinese Asians were barely visible in American culture. It's been decades since I've been in that area, but as I remember, it's surrounded by large swaths of predominately African-American neighborhoods (I remember as a freshman at Ohio State there was Chinese guy in my dorm from there who claimed he was the only non-black student in his high school); so I couldn't help but wonder, does the Korea House restaurant feature "Seoul Food?" 

. I suspect a majority of Greater Cleveland don't know about "The Near East" either.

 

KJP, I agree, since that can be said about so many CLEVELAND neighborhoods.

 

I can't begin to tell you how many people think shaker square is apart of shaker heights.

Fantastic photos. When I bring in friends from the Big 3 (New York, LA, Chicago), this is one neighborhood I always try to show off. Every single tour guest is very surprised we have this. I suspect a majority of Greater Cleveland don't know about "The Near East" either.

 

well, first off kjp there is only a big two...and all the rest. heh. but my question to you is why would folks from la, chi & ny be surprised? i am confused by that. my experience is they are the most likely to think everyone has a chinatown, a subway, etc. -- it's the kansas city or jacksonville, etc. visitors that i'd think would be most surprized.

 

I'm very excited to see how Asia Town Centre is coming along. It's great to see developers taking an initiative in this part of town.

 

P.S., A great Chinatown recommendation is Koko Bakery on Payne and E. 37th. I'd venture to say it's one of Cleveland's best bakeries outside of Little Italy. Yummm :)

nice pictures of Asiatowne.  I like the whimsical fire hydrant.

great pics. I always thought of myself as being up on what is happening in this neighborhood (which I adore). I concider myself to have a nose for anything new and did not know about celines..what kind of food?  Also I am interested in the Korea Market (I shop at Asia Foods, but am curious) . I love Korea House-awesome. I also think Superior Pho's Pho is superior to #1 Pho (but # 1 did a real nice renovation)

I'm not sure what kind of food Celene's has as far as lunch fare so I can't vouch for that. I know you're on the cleveland.com Food forum, and she's posted there every now and then.

 

I used to work with her and she always made cakes on the side and baked goods. They are To. Die. For. Last year, I bought my production department a dessert/cookie tray for the holidays - I was told that some of the ladies wanted to offer marriage proposals - and they KNOW they'd be barking up the wrong tree! :lol:

 

Although their site isn't up, they have contact info at http://www.celenescuisine.com/ so maybe just shoot them an email and see what they have.

I stopped into Celene's a couple weeks ago. I didn't really pay attention to lunch fare, although I think it was primarily deli sandwiches, maybe some soup. I gravitated straight toward her dessert displays and walked away with cupcakes ... the infamous Red Velvet MayDay mentioned. They were quite good and pretty inexpensive (I think I spent $1.50 for two medium-size cupcakes).

Great pics, the Immaculate Conception Church is a beauty!

maybe i missed it, but no shots of the lovely hi-lows bar?

^That was in my first Chinatown thread.

Added some people shots from today.

Wow, there's actually Asians in Asiatown/Chinatown/Near East (sounds like the view according to Pittsburghers. See http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=16851&st=0# )

^^ LOL, that was pretty funny. The Pittsburgh metro ain't exactly the diversity capital of the world. However they want spin it is fine with me.

nice link kjp.

 

"I have created a draft proposal for a Chinatown to be established in the bluff corridor between oakland and dowtown but am debating wheather or not to submit it to city council/mayors' office... etc ."

 

hee haw hilarious.

^^ LOL, that was pretty funny. The Pittsburgh metro ain't exactly the diversity capital of the world. However they want spin it is fine with me.

 

It may not be the diversity capital of the world, but it's no more/less diverse than Cleveland. We're very similar cities in many respects, and that's one of them.

It may not be the diversity capital of the world, but it's no more/less diverse than Cleveland. We're very similar cities in many respects, and that's one of them.

 

My guess is that Cleveland has larger; black, asian, and hispanic populations. Probably near the same percentage wise though when compaired to Pittsburgh.

The more I see of this neighborhood the more I like it.

 

I mentioned before how it seemed sort of "Chicagoesque" to me.

 

One or two of these shots could be right out of Chicago.  Two more things I see similar...the use of that burnt, blackened, unpainted common brick on the sidewalls and face brick on the street fronts is like in Chicago, inlcuding the type of common brick being used.

 

The elevated railroads through the neighborhood, with the plate girder bridges, also like Chicago.

 

Just a neat place, though, with the old factorys, churches, and storefronts.  The asian thing is nice, but I also like the look and feel of the neighborhood as a represntation of urban vernacular architecture.

 

 

It may not be the diversity capital of the world, but it's no more/less diverse than Cleveland. We're very similar cities in many respects, and that's one of them.

 

My guess is that Cleveland has larger; black, asian, and hispanic populations. Probably near the same percentage wise though when compaired to Pittsburgh.

 

Florida guy is right. Pittsburgh is a little deceiving because of the colleges located close to d'town that may make Pitt look a bit more diverse. The census numbers pretty much back up the fact that the Cleveland metro is pretty diverse area for a city outside of the East or West coast. Meanwhile, most of the residents of the greater Pitt area are mostly white.

The are 1990 census numbers for the cities proper:

 

Cleveland:

 

RACIAL DIVERSITY:

White: 49.6%

African American: 46.6%

Asian/Pacific Islander: 4.4%

Hispanic Origin: 4.4%

 

Pittsburgh:

 

RACIAL DIVERSITY:

White: 72.1%

African American: 25.9%

Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.6%

Hispanic Origin: 0.9%

 

 

For current (well, atleast 2000) Census numbers:

 

Cleveland:

 

RACIAL DIVERSITY:

White: 41.5%

African American: 51.0%

Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.3%

Hispanic Origin: 7.3%

 

Pittsburgh:

 

RACIAL DIVERSITY:

White: 67.6%

African American: 27.1%

Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.7%

Hispanic Origin: 1.3%

 

 

But really, like it matters.  It's chump change compared to other metropolitan areas in regards to Asian populations.

The asian thing is nice, but I also like the look and feel of the neighborhood as a represntation of urban vernacular architecture.

 

Agreed. The combination of the two, along with a burgeoning artist live-work scene, is what makes the place so intriguing.

Interesting that Cleveland is becoming less Asian/Pacific Islander while Pittsburgh is becoming more. And I'm surprised that Cleveland's Hispanic population is growing that fast while Pittsburgh's is small and staying small.

KJP,

 

Parma, quite possibly the whitest suburb of Cleveland for the longest time, is actually beginning to have a burgoning Hispanic population, especially north of Snow Rd. And while the first wave of Hispanics to Cleveland were mostly Puerto Rican and with a smattering of Dominican...there is a wide variety of Hispanic folks moving into the area. It's a great sign for Parma, which has hindered its growth by trying to keep everyone out for so long.

KJP,

 

Parma, quite possibly the whitest suburb of Cleveland for the longest time, is actually beginning to have a burgoning Hispanic population, especially north of Snow Rd. And while the first wave of Hispanics to Cleveland were mostly Puerto Rican and with a smattering of Dominican...there is a wide variety of Hispanic folks moving into the area. It's a great sign for Parma, which has hindered its growth by trying to keep everyone out for so long.

 

WE'RE LATIN, NOT HISPANIC PEOPLE - UNDERSTAND??!!! 

 

MY PEOPLE IN PARMA??  GETDAFUCKOUTTAHERE!  PASTELES Y PIEROGIS.  AY DIOS MIO!

KJP,

 

Parma, quite possibly the whitest suburb of Cleveland for the longest time, is actually beginning to have a burgoning Hispanic population, especially north of Snow Rd. And while the first wave of Hispanics to Cleveland were mostly Puerto Rican and with a smattering of Dominican...there is a wide variety of Hispanic folks moving into the area. It's a great sign for Parma, which has hindered its growth by trying to keep everyone out for so long.

 

WE'RE LATIN, NOT HISPANIC PEOPLE - UNDERSTAND??!!!  

 

MY PEOPLE IN PARMA??  GETDAFUCKOUTTAHERE!  PASTELES Y PIEROGIS.  AY DIOS MIO!

 

well respectfully I think the term "Hispanic" is used by the census bureau and I think we are talking kind of scientifically here. I know the term Latino/Latina is used more to describe a cultural identity than scientific ethnicity (sorry this is just my anthropology/sociology/scientific background coming out).  In fact I use"Latina/Latino" rather than "Hispanic" unless I am writing or speaking in scientific terms. I think either one is OK though, but imagine there is a preference for Latino/a when speaking culturally. that  said...Parma...eeek. I agree that when I hear the reputation I wanted nothing to do with the area. I think the isolationist (nice word for racist ) attitude does nothing to help this community. Although I think Parma Heights has a growing Asian (Vietnamese and Indian) population?

KJP,

 

Parma, quite possibly the whitest suburb of Cleveland for the longest time, is actually beginning to have a burgoning Hispanic population, especially north of Snow Rd. And while the first wave of Hispanics to Cleveland were mostly Puerto Rican and with a smattering of Dominican...there is a wide variety of Hispanic folks moving into the area. It's a great sign for Parma, which has hindered its growth by trying to keep everyone out for so long.

 

WE'RE LATIN, NOT HISPANIC PEOPLE - UNDERSTAND??!!!  

 

MY PEOPLE IN PARMA??  GETDAFUCKOUTTAHERE!  PASTELES Y PIEROGIS.  AY DIOS MIO!

 

well respectfully I think the term "Hispanic" is used by the census bureau and I think we are talking kind of scientifically here. I know the term Latino/Latina is used more to describe a cultural identity than scientific ethnicity (sorry this is just my anthropology/sociology/scientific background coming out).  In fact I use"Latina/Latino" rather than "Hispanic" unless I am writing or speaking in scientific terms. I think either one is OK though, but imagine there is a preference for Latino/a when speaking culturally. that  said...Parma...eeek. I agree that when I hear the reputation I wanted nothing to do with the area. I think the isolationist (nice word for racist ) attitude does nothing to help this community. Although I think Parma Heights has a growing Asian (Vietnamese and Indian) population?

 

Ms. Peabody...You so get it!  Thank you! :clap:  I so glad you said that, because I certainly didn't feel like writing all that  :wink:

Damn..HAVE to do this...so MTS...you are not Latino...you MUST be Chicano!?!?!  I LUUUUV being a dick!!!!!  LOL

Damn..HAVE to do this...so MTS...you are not Latino...you MUST be Chicano!?!?!   I LUUUUV being a dick!!!!!  LOL

 

OH hell to da naw..  How dare you!  Them there is fightin' words! :box: :box: :box:

 

For a minute there,I thought you had crossed over to our team!  I thoght you said you LUUUUV dick.  I had to read that twice. :-o

KJP,

 

Parma, quite possibly the whitest suburb of Cleveland for the longest time, is actually beginning to have a burgoning Hispanic population, especially north of Snow Rd. And while the first wave of Hispanics to Cleveland were mostly Puerto Rican and with a smattering of Dominican...there is a wide variety of Hispanic folks moving into the area. It's a great sign for Parma, which has hindered its growth by trying to keep everyone out for so long.

 

WE'RE LATIN, NOT HISPANIC PEOPLE - UNDERSTAND??!!!  

 

MY PEOPLE IN PARMA??  GETDAFUCKOUTTAHERE!  PASTELES Y PIEROGIS.  AY DIOS MIO!

 

well respectfully I think the term "Hispanic" is used by the census bureau and I think we are talking kind of scientifically here. I know the term Latino/Latina is used more to describe a cultural identity than scientific ethnicity (sorry this is just my anthropology/sociology/scientific background coming out).  In fact I use"Latina/Latino" rather than "Hispanic" unless I am writing or speaking in scientific terms. I think either one is OK though, but imagine there is a preference for Latino/a when speaking culturally. that  said...Parma...eeek. I agree that when I hear the reputation I wanted nothing to do with the area. I think the isolationist (nice word for racist ) attitude does nothing to help this community. Although I think Parma Heights has a growing Asian (Vietnamese and Indian) population?

 

Ms. Peabody...You so get it!  Thank you! :clap:  I so glad you said that, because I certainly didn't feel like writing all that  :wink:

 

Lord know I'm not a big defender of Parma, and it's reputation has been one it's been to itself by the fine city leaders we had. So, just for the hell of it, I looked into Parma's diversity vs. other suburbs using all Wikipedia...inner and outer ring, the results are kinda interesting:

 

 

Suburbs that have a population in the area of old Amrap:

 

Parma is 95.67% white, 1.57% Asian, 1.54% Hispanic, 0.14% African American

 

Lakewood is 93.07% white, 2.24% Hispanic, 1.97% African American, 1.41% Asian

 

Euclid is 66.36% white, 30.57% African American, 1.15% Hispanic, 0.94% Asian

 

Cleveland Heights is 52.50% white, 41.78% African American, 2.56% Asian, 1.58% Hispanic

 

Shaker Heights is 59.94% white, 34.11% African American, 3.16% Asian, 1.15% Hispanic

 

Mentor is 97.30% white, 1.19% Asian, 0.72% Hispanic, 0.64% African American

 

Strongsville is 94.18% white, 3.21% Asian, 1.27% Hispanic, 1.26% African American

 

Then there are the whitest suburbs of the Cleveland area:

 

Bay Village is 98.05% white, 0.98% Hispanic, 0.72% Asian, 0.27% African American

 

Chagrin Falls is 98.71% white, 0.89% Hispanic, 0.45% Asian, 0.05% African American

 

I guess Chagrin Falls gets a diversity pass cause it's rich and quaint. Eeek. ;)

 

 

 

KJP,

 

Parma, quite possibly the whitest suburb of Cleveland for the longest time, is actually beginning to have a burgoning Hispanic population, especially north of Snow Rd. And while the first wave of Hispanics to Cleveland were mostly Puerto Rican and with a smattering of Dominican...there is a wide variety of Hispanic folks moving into the area. It's a great sign for Parma, which has hindered its growth by trying to keep everyone out for so long.

 

WE'RE LATIN, NOT HISPANIC PEOPLE - UNDERSTAND??!!!  

 

MY PEOPLE IN PARMA??  GETDAFUCKOUTTAHERE!  PASTELES Y PIEROGIS.  AY DIOS MIO!

 

well respectfully I think the term "Hispanic" is used by the census bureau and I think we are talking kind of scientifically here. I know the term Latino/Latina is used more to describe a cultural identity than scientific ethnicity (sorry this is just my anthropology/sociology/scientific background coming out).  In fact I use"Latina/Latino" rather than "Hispanic" unless I am writing or speaking in scientific terms. I think either one is OK though, but imagine there is a preference for Latino/a when speaking culturally. that  said...Parma...eeek. I agree that when I hear the reputation I wanted nothing to do with the area. I think the isolationist (nice word for racist ) attitude does nothing to help this community. Although I think Parma Heights has a growing Asian (Vietnamese and Indian) population?

 

Ms. Peabody...You so get it!  Thank you! :clap:  I so glad you said that, because I certainly didn't feel like writing all that  :wink:

 

Lord know I'm not a big defender of Parma, and it's reputation has been one it's been to itself by the fine city leaders we had. So, just for the hell of it, I looked into Parma's diversity vs. other suburbs using all Wikipedia...inner and outer ring, the results are kinda interesting:

 

Parma is 95.67% white, 1.57% Asian, 1.54% Hispanic, 0.14% African American

 

Lakewood is 93.07% white, 2.24% Hispanic, 1.97% African American, 1.41% Asian

 

Euclid is 66.36% white, 30.57% African American,

 

 

 

 

Dude, what's interesting??  We all knew it was white as linen sheet!  :wink:

 

I haven't been to that area of Greater Cleveland in good knows how long.

 

When I was in High School and we would go to games at Parma, Valley Forge or Normandy, the school would always emphasis that we should not go alone, walk to our cars alone or venture into the surrounding areas...but get back to the eastside quickly!

Relax...I posted early....MTS. Relax...read it now.

KJP,

 

Parma, quite possibly the whitest suburb of Cleveland for the longest time, is actually beginning to have a burgoning Hispanic population, especially north of Snow Rd. And while the first wave of Hispanics to Cleveland were mostly Puerto Rican and with a smattering of Dominican...there is a wide variety of Hispanic folks moving into the area. It's a great sign for Parma, which has hindered its growth by trying to keep everyone out for so long.

 

WE'RE LATIN, NOT HISPANIC PEOPLE - UNDERSTAND??!!!  

 

MY PEOPLE IN PARMA??  GETDAFUCKOUTTAHERE!  PASTELES Y PIEROGIS.  AY DIOS MIO!

 

well respectfully I think the term "Hispanic" is used by the census bureau and I think we are talking kind of scientifically here. I know the term Latino/Latina is used more to describe a cultural identity than scientific ethnicity (sorry this is just my anthropology/sociology/scientific background coming out).  In fact I use"Latina/Latino" rather than "Hispanic" unless I am writing or speaking in scientific terms. I think either one is OK though, but imagine there is a preference for Latino/a when speaking culturally. that  said...Parma...eeek. I agree that when I hear the reputation I wanted nothing to do with the area. I think the isolationist (nice word for racist ) attitude does nothing to help this community. Although I think Parma Heights has a growing Asian (Vietnamese and Indian) population?

 

Ms. Peabody...You so get it!  Thank you! :clap:  I so glad you said that, because I certainly didn't feel like writing all that  :wink:

 

Lord know I'm not a big defender of Parma, and it's reputation has been one it's been to itself by the fine city leaders we had. So, just for the hell of it, I looked into Parma's diversity vs. other suburbs using all Wikipedia...inner and outer ring, the results are kinda interesting:

 

Parma is 95.67% white, 1.57% Asian, 1.54% Hispanic, 0.14% African American

 

Lakewood is 93.07% white, 2.24% Hispanic, 1.97% African American, 1.41% Asian

 

Euclid is 66.36% white, 30.57% African American,

 

 

 

 

Dude, what's interesting??  We all knew it was white as linen sheet!  :wink:

 

I haven't been to that area of Greater Cleveland in good knows how long.

 

When I was in High School and we would go to games at Parma, Valley Forge or Normandy, the school would always emphasis that we should not go alone, walk to our cars alone or venture into the surrounding areas...but get back to the eastside quickly!

KJP,

 

Parma, quite possibly the whitest suburb of Cleveland for the longest time, is actually beginning to have a burgoning Hispanic population, especially north of Snow Rd. And while the first wave of Hispanics to Cleveland were mostly Puerto Rican and with a smattering of Dominican...there is a wide variety of Hispanic folks moving into the area. It's a great sign for Parma, which has hindered its growth by trying to keep everyone out for so long.

 

WE'RE LATIN, NOT HISPANIC PEOPLE - UNDERSTAND??!!!  

 

MY PEOPLE IN PARMA??  GETDAFUCKOUTTAHERE!  PASTELES Y PIEROGIS.  AY DIOS MIO!

 

well respectfully I think the term "Hispanic" is used by the census bureau and I think we are talking kind of scientifically here. I know the term Latino/Latina is used more to describe a cultural identity than scientific ethnicity (sorry this is just my anthropology/sociology/scientific background coming out).  In fact I use"Latina/Latino" rather than "Hispanic" unless I am writing or speaking in scientific terms. I think either one is OK though, but imagine there is a preference for Latino/a when speaking culturally. that  said...Parma...eeek. I agree that when I hear the reputation I wanted nothing to do with the area. I think the isolationist (nice word for racist ) attitude does nothing to help this community. Although I think Parma Heights has a growing Asian (Vietnamese and Indian) population?

 

Ms. Peabody...You so get it!  Thank you! :clap:  I so glad you said that, because I certainly didn't feel like writing all that  :wink:

 

Lord know I'm not a big defender of Parma, and it's reputation has been one it's been to itself by the fine city leaders we had. So, just for the hell of it, I looked into Parma's diversity vs. other suburbs using all Wikipedia...inner and outer ring, the results are kinda interesting:

 

Parma is 95.67% white, 1.57% Asian, 1.54% Hispanic, 0.14% African American

 

Lakewood is 93.07% white, 2.24% Hispanic, 1.97% African American, 1.41% Asian

 

Euclid is 66.36% white, 30.57% African American,

 

 

 

 

Dude, what's interesting??  We all knew it was white as linen sheet!  :wink:

 

I haven't been to that area of Greater Cleveland in good knows how long.

 

When I was in High School and we would go to games at Parma, Valley Forge or Normandy, the school would always emphasis that we should not go alone, walk to our cars alone or venture into the surrounding areas...but get back to the eastside quickly!

 

Ummm...Parma has virtually no crime. Even stupid hate crimes are slim there. I'm not saying someone wont say something stupid....but you can get the same crap in "diverse" Lakewood. :)

What is "white?" Is Arabic considered white? What is African-American? You wouldn't call a Haitian or Trinidadian as such. These categories are way too narrow. So an area that is 90 percent white doesn't mean it isn't ethnic. Lakewood (93 percent white) have students in their schools that speak something like 25-30 different languages and require as many teachers fluent in those languages.

What is "white?" Is Arabic considered white? What is African-American? You wouldn't call a Haitian or Trinidadian as such. These categories are way too narrow. So an area that is 90 percent white doesn't mean it isn't ethnic. Lakewood (93 percent white) have students in their schools that speak something like 25-30 different languages and require as many teachers fluent in those languages.

 

HUMMM.....

 

We'll white(Caucasian) is what you fill out on drivers license. 

 

In America, Yes, Italian is white...German is white etc,.  However a person from Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cuban, Trini, Jamaica, Panama is Black when they hit the shores of America.

 

When I walk down the street people don't say oh there a black n pr guy.  They automatically "think" I'm black. Arabs, Persians typically fall under the category of Middle Eastern.

 

Nationality and ethnic background are two different things.

Nationality and ethnic background are two different things.

 

True but both ethnicity and nationality = diversity.

Nationality and ethnic background are two different things.

 

True but both ethnicity and nationality = diversity.

 

AMEN!

However a person from Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cuban, Trini, Jamaica, Panama is Black when they hit the shores of America.

 

True, but in the statistics noted earlier, how are those accounted for? Those nationalities aren't African-American. Just because someone is black doesn't mean they're African-American. And just because someone is African-American, doesn't mean they're black (see Egyptians, Libyans, South Africans, etc).

 

So why is African-American used as a way to describe race? It's not an accurate definition.

Typically, African-American describes a cultural group of American blacks.  Blacks is more "general," as it can mean Carribean, African, or an African-immigrant to a country (Canadian black; American black; etc).

Typically, African-American describes a cultural group of American blacks.  Blacks is more "general," as it can mean Carribean, African, or an African-immigrant to a country (Canadian black; American black; etc).

 

exactly!  well said CDM

This concludes UrbanOhio's Racial Issues and Lessons in America 101. Back on topic, please. :-)