Do I think the Susquehanna River is a racial divide? Please. Is the Pope Catholic? When I first moved here 10 years ago from Washington, D.C., (the murder capital of the United States), I lived in an apartment in downtown Harrisburg. I figured Capitol Hill in Harrisburg couldn’t be any worse than Capitol Hill in D.C. I was wrong. In my six months living in downtown Harrisburg, I was hassled, groped and just generally bothered more than I ever was in my two years in D.C. Also during this time in Harrisburg, the window of my boyfriend’s truck was blown out with a shotgun the weekend he came to visit. It got worse. One night, a stranger followed me as I walked the 5 blocks from the only available parking space to my apartment. During "our" walk, he first asked me if I had found Jesus and then proceeded to ask me about my sex life. The icing on the cake, however, was the evening I was walking home from the newsstand with a Sunday paper under my arm, when I was solicited by a passing motorist. I was angry and offended, but most of all, I was dumbfounded — how many hookers trolling for business do so with a Sunday Patriot-News under their arm? That did it for me. I fled to the West Shore before I ended up a Harrisburg city statistic — and believe it or not, on the West Shore I NEVER had to worry about not making it home alive from my car.

I think it is for some people.

Since the city of Harrisburg is the only city around here, people who don’t go there apply all the stereotypes about urban problems to it, and so they’re afraid of it. They don’t really know what a great place it is; unfortunately, their fear keeps them away. (Sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy…) I’ve heard black people tell stories about harassment on the West shore, but I’ve never seen it myself. It seems believable to me though.

Comments? On what? This is not an educated editorial opinion that you are asking people to respond to. Instead, you are opening a can of worms that only feeds on people’s fears and insecurities. I trust and hope that the follow-up article to this "opinion poll" will be more informed than this questionnaire.

Bad Courts and School Districts.

As long as I can remember the west shore was always called the white shore because they did not like the people from the east shore. Take a look at football. The east shore kids are always in fights because of the west shore snobs. They just don’t like us.

It is total ignorance from both sides. But I recently moved from the East Shore (city of Harrisburg) to the West shore (Lemoyne) and it was very interesting that my friends called me a traitor. I only moved for my kids to have a nice school, and good school district. I’m even closer to downtown than I was before. But I do know of people who won’t go into Harrisburg. Amazing isn’t it. It’s not like NYC or anything. Like any place, just be smart and don’t travel to the bad sections of any city.

Yes it’s still a topic.

In reality, it would be a mute [sic] issue if the media would leave it alone and face reality.
People live where they feel most comfortable for the most parts. They also shop, entertain themselves, etc., in the same area. There will always be some "divides". I am a white American and would not want to live in community that has a majority (key word here) of any other ethnic or racial group. Why? The answer is: "Why would I want to?" I don’t mind and even refer to have it mixed up. Living in a neighborhood or area with different makeups is healthy and makes you "grow". So — If I was black, progressive, had a good job, etc. — would I want to move to the West Shore? Yes — if I found the right place. Would I move back (that is where I started in the area) to the East Shore? Again, If I found the right place. I prefer the West Shore because that is where I have been for the last 20 plus years and where all my friends are. Why would I want to move?

I believe the topic is still debated because race relations are still a problem for America. Although race relations have come a long way there is still a serious need for more communication between the races, especially for the younger generation. It’s not only race that separates the shores but we must look at income also. Classism is perhaps the biggest problem we have yet to address. If you are poor, whether white or of color, you are looked at as trash. Money seems to be the ultimate determinate of social acceptance. I have lived on both shores. I personally like the east shore because it has more life and vitality than the west shore. More communication is the key to easing the tensions between shores and races. And it is up to people who care to make the difference. I am glad to see The Mode has taken on the debate. I hope The Mode will continue to provoke such debates on race and class. Good Job.
The east shore needs to clean up some areas of HBG starting with Market Street, 17th Street, 13th and Derry Street area, and most of State Street. These are some major access areas into the city. Do any of the HYP people live in any of these areas? The West Shore area seems to take more pride in their housing conditions and is void of street litter.

Old habits die hard!

I’m currently a resident of the East Shore and I was born and raised on the East Shore. I live in the midtown area of Harrisburg in a predominantly black neighborhood. I am a white male that experiences racism everyday by the looks I’m given in my neighborhood. I am treated like, why are you living here, why are you in this neighborhood, and you are a rich white kid. I try to live my life without racism. I have been racist in the past but try to live a racism free life now. I have friends and family members that will not come to my house because I live in what is considered as a bad neighborhood. I’ve lived there for years now and haven’t had any major problems. I believe that the people that won’t come to my house are scared of blacks. I do believe that most of the people that live on the West Shore live there for a reason, because there are less black people. It is kind of a safe haven for people to be racist without admitting that they are indeed racists. I hear people make comments about living on the White Shore and that there schools are better because there are no blacks in them. I believe that neighborhoods and society needs to become more racially integrated. This is the only way that whites are going to stop being scared of blacks and learn that blacks are as equal as they are. Living in the city has opened my eyes to how hard it is for blacks to break out of poor lower class society. Living in the slums, you grow up differently and it is hard to escape what you see and become accustomed to.

Greetings, I write to you to say that the Susquehanna River is a symbolic divide not nearly as deep or as wide as the HISTORIC and still present racist mentality in AmeriKKKa. I have to say that living on the West or East shore does not make you a racist, but what is in the heart and mind and expressed thru ACTION and NON-action does. Ralph Nader who is a White Man running for president as part of the Green Party, and is an example of someone who I believe is not infected with the systemic Racism known to all but the insane. I myself am a 35-year-old Black Man, presently a Democrat, and after the election of Al Gore I’ll be a Green Party member. I attended the Million Man March and have no criminal record and am a US Military Veteran. Go to http://www.votenader.org.

Hi, this is my second response to your survey, sorry, but I’ve been thinking... I do PR for the Harrisburg [ORGANIZATION NAME WITHHELD]. We have about 150 members on both shores, and one problem I run into, with the local daily paper, is they always insist on running local events in EITHER East or West supplements. For instance, our Community [award] of the Year was picked up by them as a feature, which was wonderful, BUT it was only printed in the East Shore supplement. Do you think this policy by the local media could be divisive???? (Please don’t use my name or org. in any criticism of them; I can’t afford to "fall from their graces.") Thanks for allowing me to vent!!!
[NAME WITHHELD]

This is the way it seems to be. For many people, to go to one shore or the other is equivalent to entering a foreign country. They feel that going to the other shore will not benefit them and will cause problems. Somewhat like East Mall has been characterized in the past as a ‘black’ mall. This characterization is, of course, truly nonsense, but when it comes to prejudices, there is no accounting for stupidity and ignorance. Here in Harrisburg, the West Shore is perceived as being exclusively white; while Harrisburg is viewed as a black city and the West Shore types won’t have anything to do with the blacks. This is clearly a holdover from the past and in actual fact, it is a bigoted viewpoint. It is racist and unfair. I believe the only way to correct this is to clearly show that Harrisburg is a city for everyone. We can’t allow bigotry to continue in this nation - it’s too expensive.

Contrary to your assumptions, this is not a topic at all in the year 2000! You are trying to drive a wedge between this community for your own purposes, and are stereotyping people in the process. It is wrong, it is unfair, and you should be ashamed. I live on the west shore and work in downtown Harrisburg. I’ve made this commute for over 12 years, and thousands of people make it with me every day. Everyone crosses the river from west to east, be it for work, shopping, worship, or culture. Our church in Camp Hill sends volunteers to Downtown Daily Bread every week (my family was there two weekends ago). Other church members volunteer at Habitat for Humanity and the food pantry. Most of the people I know are middle class Republicans, and no one has ever told me they won’t go to the east shore or called it the "slum shore" (a term your question poses that I have never heard before). One or two narrow-minded people do not a trend make! I think you owe your readers an apology.

I was born in 1958 in the Harrisburg Hospital. I grew up on the West Shore, New Cumberland and Lemoyne area. I graduated from Cedar Cliff only to join the army. In case it is necessary to clarify my skin color before I continue I will. I am Cherokee by my Mother and German by my father. I married a man while in the army only to find my family’s rejection as a blessing. He was black. I say "was" because I am now a widow. I have retired from the army and I am still considered a young woman. I find upon my return to this community the basic belief that the East Shore is not a place to raise a family. I am a single Mom of 4 children. When I asked why it was stated that the East Shore is very run down. All I can say is I am in no position to change anyone’s belief when it comes to how one makes a living. I do know I have lived in towns where there were drug dealers & prostitutes and homeless abound. [This was] In my front yard. This was close, too close for comfort. I, as a parent, have to be aware of the surroundings 24/7. I need good role mottles [sic] for my kids to mimic. In closing, I miss my husband. Even though I lost my blood family because of something so simple as skin color.
I go to the East Shore all the time. This doesn’t mean I am not aware of my surroundings. I am. To those of you refusing to travel to the East Shore because of fear, I feel sorry. Living a life allowing fear to conquer, well, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Showing your offspring the "RIGHT WAY" to live. I feel sorry. Stop and think the next time u refuse to cross that bridge to see a doctor or a dentist because of the "side of the river". Change will not happen with just one person. With a community, perhaps a change will begin with another community’s help and interest in mankind. Thank you for the chance to voice an opinion I thought no one else even cared to hear.

There is definitely a cultural clash between the two shores. I believe this has less to do with the color of skin and more to do with the cultures. We are in an age of instant access and instant gratification. Both cultures find it hard to look outside their respect communities. So of course we do not understand each other and grow to fear each other. All we have to fear is ignorance and blindness.

Stereotypes of an older, west shore, generation who remember the East Shore in its depressed state, who still believe it is a blighted/violent area.

I think it is still an issue, but has changed over the years. The real issue is Harrisburg vs. the rest of the area. I know several people from Hershey and Lower Paxton, as well as west shore people, that would not step foot in Harrisburg outside of work hours.

Because people like you bring it up.

I think at one time this was a raging topic, but not anymore. I live on the West Shore and everyone I know would not think twice about crossing the river. Times have changed, despite what people think. Harrisburg is a lot safer now than it has bean for years. I have no problem with driving or walking downtown, even at night. Yes, there are neighborhoods that you stay out of. I am not a stupid person or a racist because I chose to stay out of certain neighborhoods. There are just some places on the East and even the West Shores that you just don’t go to at night because of the high crime. I think the attitudes of many people throughout the region will continue to change with the increase in development and revitalization in Harrisburg. Thanks, Chris

Frankly, the dividing line is not the Susquehanna River. It’s this whole township system in Pennsylvania. Anybody from the South could tell you that people screaming for "township rights" and "township autonomy" sound an awful lot like the people who tried to stop desegregation in Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia and elsewhere by elevating "states’ rights" as a way to block federal civil rights law. People on both shores of the Susquehanna maintain rigid township boundaries and school district boundaries as a hedge against sharing power, resources, or, god forbid, classrooms, with the majority black population at the center of the region. The Susquehanna River is only the most obvious barrier. Harping on it lets the people in Lower Paxton, Susquehanna and Swatara Townships sleep better at night. They can rest easy believing the problem is with those racist people over there on the "West Shore" and not on both shores.

I think the people who will not subject themselves to trips across the bridge are those who are from (i.e. born & bred) Central PA and continue to harbor, for whatever reason, feelings of ‘us versus them.’ People in this area do not claim to be from Harrisburg, but from Upper Allen, Camp Hill, Hershey, Susquehanna Twp, etc. I’ve lived here for several years and still don’t know where some of these places are, nor do I care. And I really abhor those who tell me the live in Whispering Pines, Mulberry Woods, or some other such contrived name made up by some beleaguered real estate guy or gal to force us to envision evenings of grandeur and tranquility from the depths of our suburban cape cod. I’m from Harrisburg — that’s all that matters. Nobody has ever heard of those other places anyway.

Any ideas of perceived crime in the city of Harrisburg are simply that — perceived. Sure, there is crime, but according to a city police officer I spoke to recently, most of the victims knew their perpetrators. Burglary, breaking and entering, and random assault are practically non-existent. It must also be noted that crime is certainly no stranger in the middle-class suburbs in this area. Even amongst the teenagers.

This entire subject is a huge pet peeve of mine; unfortunately, I don’t have any suggestions to resolve it. I guess you can’t force people to do something they don’t want to or aren’t comfortable with, but you can laugh to yourself at their ignorance and hypocrisy. It will just allow another parking space for you and I near a city establishment.

I think that this is still a topic because it is an issue that has never been resolved. There has been no action taken to solve the problem of the "racial divide" and few, if any, people seem willing to make an effort to change that fact. I must admit that, as a West Shore white person, I do at times feel uncomfortable on the East Shore. I think that both parties in this issue are guilty of making people from "the other side" feel uncomfortable and that a conscious effort needs to be made to change the general mindset concerning the shores. I would be interested in finding out just what exactly you (MODE Weekly) plan on doing with the information you gather from this poll. If this is just simply to prove that "Yes, there is a racial divide," then I implore you to look beyond the mere facts and see the people behind the issue. It is a shame that racial issues still pervade our society and that the issue is so marked between the East and West shores. I think that the information and opinions gathered by this poll could be used as a starting point for repairing the rift between the two shores. I encourage MODE Weekly to make the extra effort and put these polls to good use.

The inhabitants of the "East Shore" are viewed by most of the residents of Cumberland County as being of a lower standard. This opinion is not as apparent in either Perry or York counties who also border the western side of the river, but it just seems to be typical of Cumberland County residents. These shared resentful opinions run even as far inland as Newville and some of the other western Cumberland County farming communities. Most Cumberland County business employers also view the "East Shore" as a source of limitless, cheap, unskilled labor. Those mega distribution centers recently built on the West Shore to accommodate a thriving warehousing industry employ mainly from the opposite side of the river. So there is merit to the river being not so much a racial divide, but one of equality concerning its residents. Having moved here about 7 years ago, one of the first things I picked up on was a real "in your face" attitude projected by the western side of the river, concerning their dislike of East Shore inhabitants. So in my opinion, there is some justification for the title of "Snobs" being hung on the West Shore residents, from what I have observed, it has been well earned.

My opinion is that most only compare the urban area of Harrisburg city limits against all of the West Shore suburban area. If you drive beyond the city limits on the East shore there are striking similarities among the ‘suburban’ areas. Having grown up on the West Shore I do have to say that there were, and still are, prejudices between shores. This is something that exists in any geographic area you go to. I see this same argument in the section of the state I currently reside in.

Because some people just don’t want peace in the world.

If I go shopping I go where it is closest. I live on east side, but did live on the west side. The west side would always said you don’t want to go to the east shore — but there is so much to do here on the east side. People are friendly on both sides and many friends on both side — No problem. NO, NO — bridges are made to cross over.

The divide does exist, but is slowly being broken down. While the African-American community is centered around Harrisburg city, more African-Americans are living and working on the West Shore. Our state government employs many people in Harrisburg from the entire region. Thousands of West Shore residents work on the East shore. I believe more are coming for leisure/recreation with the slow revitalization of the City.

As a non-resident (I live in NYC and work part time in the H-Burg area) I have heard the "White Shore" comment and asked for an explanation. People indicated that the term was a "leftover" from years ago and didn’t really apply any more. Certainly there are neighborhoods that are more affluent than others, but the convenient downtown location makes the city a very diverse, racially mixed area. The same applies to the West Shore, although maybe not at the same percentage. The RACE issue is mostly for people with too much time on their hands, nothing worthwhile to talk about, and a generally negative disposition. Residents on both sides who only try to make their neighborhoods better and safer probably don’t see this so called division.

Yes, it is a topic and I personally wish it would be put to rest quickly. I think that both "shores" have a lot to offer and if Harrisburgers were smart they would take advantage of the good aspects of both. Thanks for the chance to give my opinion...

Times have changed but yet they haven’t! When I was growing up in the 50’s, my dad worked for the airlines, so we moved around some and at this time period we lived on the "west" shore and I do not remember anyone but white persons living on that side of the river. But since this time, we moved out of the area about 1957, equal opportunity and the civil rights movement has come into play and now more American citizens are given the opportunity to have a better lifestyle and/or career. I now have lived here in Harrisburg for the last 25 years, since 1975, and it seems to me that due to better careers of people and rights of people they can now live where they choose … but you will always raise some eyebrows on the "west" (or white) shore as it has been referred to me. If you don’t believe me go to beauty salon over there, as I sat in Kenneth’s & Co. and thought I was in Stepford wife country!! But that’s another issue.

I guess I am just an independent 55 year white female, who doesn’t care what your color or handicap is as long as you have a brain … which I am having trouble finding in this area. Too many small minds, or maybe it is because they never left town!! Thanks for letting me vent.

The shores just provide a graphical and somewhat misleading metaphor for something more universal. In most areas, there are people who come from the "other side of the tracks," even if there are no trains there, and the issue in this case is much more racial than economic.. Black people are assumed to be from the East Shore regardless of their economic status, and the "White" shore is where there are few black people. Here as in most metropolitan areas, a higher proportion of African Americans live in the city. The city is Harrisburg. It’s on the east side of the river, so there you have it.

I must say I’ve been away in the Air Force. I return home every year and I still see the racial divide. It is a shame for our community. I recently married and my spouse, who is white, could not believe that the Great State of PA was so racist. The East Shore has many problems with crime and crooked police. We need new and more powerful leaders for our community. I vow when my career in the Military is complete I will return to PA and try to create a place where visitors and the people who see it everyday will be proud of. This I promise.

I do think it is still the topic … I think that the best-kept secret on the west shore is that it is becoming integrated. There are too many people on the west shore that won’t accept that the racial mix has and will continue to change The "white shore" isn’t so white anymore.

This goes beyond the usual demographics. Both counties consistently vote Republican in the majority. The problem is that ever since Brown v. Board of Education and the subsequent legislation enabling consolidation of school districts, people have voted with their feet to escape from school systems that are substandard. Do people know that the City of Harrisburg was forbidden from merging its school district with the neighboring ones in Dauphin County? Most do not. So while other school districts were able to pool resources and become better (Eg. Redland and Cedar Cliff), Harrisburg’s system has fallen apart and become a fiscal backbreaker on the property owners. (30 mil increase projected within the next 5 years.) No one with children wants them in schools such as Harrisburg’s. I live in the city. I am a white male who grew up in Camp Hill and hated the homogenous, WASPy atmosphere there. I have no children in the city schools. Yet even I am hard-pressed to remain here, watching my property values stagnate, my taxes increase, and the neighborhood fall further into disrepair as Pinnacle Health abandons us to the drug-dealing rot from 5th Street east to 7th. So my brother-in-law and his wife never come over to Harrisburg. I don’t blame them. It isn’t an issue of Race. It’s an issue of class. America is supposed to be all about moving up to something better. The reverse side of that coin is many people are left behind. Even Mayor Reed has given up trying to patrol against vice in the Midtown and Uptown.

I agree with the "White Shore" stereotype, but disagree with the "East Shore" is the "Slum Shore" stereotype. I live on the west shore, in a neighborhood where our non-white neighbors are looked down upon. This disgusts me. I hope to soon find a place to live in downtown Harrisburg, where I feel there is much more cultural diversity, and a higher level of racial acceptance and tolerance. The west shore people do have a snobby attitude. Wake up. The east shore is where the action is. New malls, great housing, great schools and places to eat, and talk about movie theatres and the Whitaker center.

I travel wherever I want to regardless of the "you don’t belong here glares". I believe that when you refuse to go east or west because you feel out of place you are giving the bigoted minority too much control. I feel there is ignorance on both shores. I moved here from the South (Atlanta). The South so integrated I can’t believe that North is SOOOO segregated. It is the same segregation that leads to the ignorance and fear of the unknown.

I have been a resident of Harrisburg for 10 years. I came here from Phila. I had to accept the difference in culture here. I took for granite that we as a people could go where we wanted. Coming from another city where diversity is far more appreciated than I think it is here, I liked shopping on the Main Line, Bala Cynwd, Italian market, etc. I find that the people of color don’t venture out to the "West Shore" better know as the "White Shore". We argue about it all the time. My question is always why. Before the fire, I really enjoyed shopping at the Farmers Market there. It had more variety than the Broad Street Market. I enjoy going to the Camp Hill Giant and the Camp Hill Mall as well. I live very close to the Harvey Taylor bridge so it just makes more sense to go over there than to the East Mall or Colonial Park or even 29th street. I once mentioned the houses that were situated on the hill coming down Front St. from the West Shore to the East Shore. I often admire them and I asked could we sometime go and look at them. "Hell no!" "I don’t go on the "white Shore." I think it is so stupid that a mass of people can stay contained and not venture out and know their surroundings. I mean, the closet that black folk in Harrisburg get to the west shore is when Kipona is on Front Street. I don’t know how they can limit themselves to such nonsense. I can’t speak for the white folk on the West Shore. I really never had a bad experience over there. I have to admit that sometimes it can be a little frightening because the African-American community is so spooked about the West Shore. I can’t believe in the year 2000 that these fears still exist. Once I questioned a friend as to why she won’t go over there. She said that she had no interest in being around white people that don’t want to be around her. It still doesn’t make sense because she has worked for the State for 25 years and there are white folk everywhere. I remember wanting to go to a movie over there. It was one of those artsy films and it was only showing on the west shore. My significant other at the time said he did not do movies on the west shore. How can these people be so limited??? There has to be a comfort level somewhere; I see more interracial couples here than I have ever seen in my life. So what’s the deal? I think its still a topic because all of those involved chose for it to be a topic. They enjoy the drama. I think both sides are trying to keep the feud going only to hold on to beliefs that are old and out dated. As far as the East Shore being for the poor, I find it very comfortable and there are slums everywhere you go. I am sure there are parts of the west shore that are not desirable to live in. I am just happy that I feel good enough and free enough to go where I want.

Harrisburg is drawing more people into its community every day. The more that is added by way of restaurants and entertainment, the more people from the surrounding community choose to go there. The same holds true for the surrounding communities. The more they have to offer, the more they draw people from outside of the community boundaries. People don’t travel from one area to another unless there is something to attract them. As more is developed, the old hostilities erode away. The thought process on both shores of the river should be, "Have we done enough to attract people from elsewhere?" If not, the problem may be self induced.

Why isn’t there a question asking whether people believe there is a racial difference in the first place? (I do believe there is — I grew up in another area, inner city, and went to schools which were 50/50 black/white; when I moved here, I was in shock, wondering "Where’re all the black people?" and "Why am I the only one noticing this?" I am white.)

Besides Age, Gender, and Shore of Residence, why isn’t there a question asking what the person’s race is? Your "survey" is highly flawed, both by a presumption of the answer to the question (a presumption I agree with, but it shouldn’t be part of an honest poll, if you want an "honest" one), and by the fact that you then ask insufficient questions once you get further into it.

By the way, while I’m writing you — this has zero to do with the poll, but did you people ever consider moving your "Upcoming Events" up by one week? As it is, by the time your paper is found at local establishments, half of the events are already over. One out of every two weeks you show is essentially a moot point by your scheduling/tardiness.

It actually seems that way. The West Shore is an expensive community to live in, which unfortunately a good majority of minorities cannot afford. The East Shore is definitely more economy "savvy" for the not-so-wealthy. Not that everyone who lives on the East Shore is poor, but the majority who live in the city are. One question that I have is why are the not-so-wealthy unable to keep their communities clean (meaning busting out window, graffiti...)?

I live near Lewisberry, is that part of the "other shore"? When I am looking for entertainment, whether it is music, bars, or restaurants, I go to the Harrisburg area. The "west shore" is very limited in its entertainment resources. I also work on Paxton Street.

I believe your concern is more of a small town mentality — perception is strong that many folks that still live in the east shore area do believe that folks from the west shore have an attitude and the problem is that folks on the east shore residents really believe this myth.

Of course the folks on the west shore love to hear they live in a better area — makes them feel important… Background: I have lived on both sides of the river. I grew up in old ’burbs of Harrisburg and moved over to the west shore to live in a wooded community that was similar to an area in Susquehanna Twp. called Mountaindale (you call this the slums?). Intent was not to align to a different area to move from the slum shore it was a life style issue — affordable community with wooded lots. You have snobs in all regions, in all walks of life regardless of where you live; it’s more of how you were raised than where you were raised. R/ John

First, it is only an issue if you were raised here because if you moved from another area, it is simply ridiculous. When I first moved here in 1987, there was a cross-burning on a black family’s lawn in Camp Hill, and subsequently a similar racial incident in Swatara Twp. (East Shore). There was the infamous incident in Hanover where old redneck men were interviewed in a bar after a racial incident. They said they didn’t want "those black boys mixing with our white girls," and then they flashed their toothless grins.

Actually, it is the people of Central Pennsylvania generally who are racist. They can’t seem to help themselves. They were raised that way and they have no interest in doing anything other than what came before. When I first moved to Harrisburg, I was treated badly by blacks because I was white. Name-calling, racial slurs, etc. I was embarrassed that anyone would treat me that way because of my skin color. I thought based on how I was treated and what I saw and read that I was time trapped in Selma of the 1950s. Then I remembered I was living near the Mason-Dixon line where some people were still fighting the Civil War every day.

It seems there are as many 250,000-dollar homes on both shores of the river, so whites who can afford homes in that income bracket can live in either place. The question that begs to be asked and answered is when blacks move on up, do they move to the West Shore or further out on the East Shore?

From personal observation, I will say I am always startled to see minorities shopping in the Capital City Mall because generally they are not made to feel welcome in the West Shore neighborhoods. I often wondered how two of former Governor Casey’s white female cabinet members were able to purchase homes on the White Shore when their husbands were black. I guess they never went outside to meet the neighbors. Perhaps when you are an upper class culturally mixed family, your neighbors don’t object.

Its only when you are poor that there is a problem.

S. H.

Funny, it is my understanding that Perry County and Goldsboro are located on the "West Shore". Perhaps the "snobs" on the West Shore need to take a look at their neighbors (and their front yards). People in glass houses should not cast stones. Isn’t it true that Hershey and Mountaindale are located on the East Shore? Why is it that so many people on the West Shore belong to the Harrisburg Country Club instead of their own neighboring West Shore Country Club? I personally have lived on both shores and I have found positive and negative similarities on both shores. It would be nice if the snobbish people would reside not on the west shore nor on the east shore but at the bottom depths of the Susquehanna River itself. We would all be better off without them.

The west normally has a negative connotation like, the west side of Chicago where New York has the Upper East Side. And one more thing, why is it that there are so many bridges trying to "bridge" the gap between?

I feel that this is still a topic due to fact that it gives people a reason to debate and/or argue. Yes the river exists and it is unmovable, but this topic is ridiculous. Being that it has existed in the past, things never change! People are set in their ways.

I also think that stereotypes about each shore are a relevant factor in this debate. Being that neither side is more rich-looking than the other, it’s all hot air. There is always someone that has to feels like they are better than another person just to help their ego. This idea of "I’m better than you are" is why this topic still exists. And no matter where you go or travel to, race problems will always be present in society.

I grew up in Palmyra but left for a bunch of years right after high school (military). We were paycheck-paycheck when I was a kid (no car for me) and all of our family was on the East side. So, this was never an issue. However... I moved back for a few years (recently left again) and was VERY surprised to not only find people who didn’t/wouldn’t go to the West Shore but that people didn’t leave their regional communities in general. The idea of driving more than 20min to get somewhere was like a nightmare to some. This is not only a "Harrisburg thing" either. I saw it in Omaha NE, parts of DC and in Reading PA. Maybe it’s the characteristic that separates the large towns from the small cities?

My ken (sic) is that there only a few people who feel this way; for THEM it IS a topic!