The only racism I've been seeing is baseless accusations and chips on the shoulders of black transplants obviously uncomfortable in a town full of white people and probably wondering why so few of us want to pal around with them. It's a cultural thing, really; I just don't dig it, same as I didn't dig the crusty old mutant conservative villagers in Switzerland when I lived there. Same as you probably wouldn't dig the company of Amish farmers.

The native Portland white is for the most part a mellow guy who doesn't like confrontation or violence and feels uncomfortable, even disgusted, by garish displays of macho posturing. Knowing that what we regard as civility is considered “pussy” by African Americans who come here with Big Bad Cali/East Coast attitudes simply adds insult to injury. Maybe if you'd holster your iron and let us get to know you and not the strutting rooster you'd be pleasantly surprised at how accepting we are.