Hello everyone, I need some help

July 24, 2007

I am still looking for apartment leads in veg friendly areas in Berkeley. However, I have a question for those who live in the area. Here is what happened a few minutes ago:

So, here's an interesting update about how people assume the person they are talking to on the phone "is not a certain gender or race, or is an omnivore, etc." The lady renting the triplex that my husband and I had an appointment to view this Saturday, just called me. She ended up renting it to someone else and wanted to let us know. She tried to be " helpful " to tell us where we want to look for other possibilities: North of Berkeley (Northeast) hills part. She also " warned " me not to live South of Berkeley. Why? She said, " It's dangerous there and there are black people there. " I am black, last time I checked.... I guess it never occurred to her that she could be talking to a " black " person who could be offended by that comment.

Is this something I am to expect a lot of in the area? I have not been to Northern California. I am a East Coast girl used to the " racial politics " and " racism " on this side of the country. What's funny is that my husband was worried that if we send to my URL to prospective landlords to " get to know me better " , they may be " scared " that I say I'm a vegan and not rent to me. However, I told him that landlords may more or less be uncomfortable that we are an inter-racial couple. If folks can enlighten me on what to expect when I get out there, that would be great. You can write me privately, but I need upfront honesty on what to expect as a black vegan woman looking for apartments in the bay area....

Best,

Breeze-- Amie Breeze Harperbreezeharper

www.breezeharper.com/617-877-2096------------