Hmm... I haven't been to Gettysburg (other than passing through it on the way to other locations since a field trip in junior high school. We toured the battlefields and the usual stuff-- I don't really remember much of it, too long ago. Certainly back in the 1960s it wouldn't have surprised me to see the things your co-worker saw and experienced, it is more than a bit sad to hear about it today.
For what it's worth, she might better enjoy a trip to Philadelphia.
Even traveling just 60 miles to the east from Gettysburg to Lancaster, PA, where yours truly resides, you wouldn't find such behavior to be the norm. I'd say the city population demographics are pretty close to what I found listed online:
The population of Lancaster, PA is 40.7% White, 38.5% Hispanic, and 14.2% Black. 36.2% of the people in Lancaster, PA speak a non-English language, and 94% are U.S. citizens.
Now, that's the city, mind you. If you venture out into the largely rural county areas, you'll find it still predominantly white. Politically it's a flip too-- in the last presidential election, the city voted something like 72% for Hillary Clinton, whereas overall in the county it was more like 62% Trump.
Despite the conservative leanings of the county, I will say that the majority of folks around here would not be so rude to an outsider like your co-worker. The area has a long history of taking in all manner of immigrants, and continues that to this day.
no subject
For what it's worth, she might better enjoy a trip to Philadelphia.
Even traveling just 60 miles to the east from Gettysburg to Lancaster, PA, where yours truly resides, you wouldn't find such behavior to be the norm. I'd say the city population demographics are pretty close to what I found listed online:
The population of Lancaster, PA is 40.7% White, 38.5% Hispanic, and 14.2% Black. 36.2% of the people in Lancaster, PA speak a non-English language, and 94% are U.S. citizens.
Now, that's the city, mind you. If you venture out into the largely rural county areas, you'll find it still predominantly white. Politically it's a flip too-- in the last presidential election, the city voted something like 72% for Hillary Clinton, whereas overall in the county it was more like 62% Trump.
Despite the conservative leanings of the county, I will say that the majority of folks around here would not be so rude to an outsider like your co-worker. The area has a long history of taking in all manner of immigrants, and continues that to this day.
/end plug for my hometown
-OnM