Over the years, there were what I considered "no-go" areas in the US. And now there are a few more in other areas.
Over the years:
In the 60s- don't go to Harlem. That has changed somewhat and it's much safer, back in the 60s, it was no place for a white guy particularly after dark.
In the late 70s and into the 80s- lots of NYC areas were places it was smart to steer away from.
Parts of LA have been "no-go" areas in the 70s, but I'm not sure which areas are still bad. But then again, I pretty much refuse to even go into CA as I consider the entire state a "no-go" area.
Same with NJ as a whole.
Here in my state of CT- then are "no-go" areas. Parts of New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, and a few other cities are stupid places to go. Those cities have changed over the years since the early 70s when I first started driving. Some areas have gotten better- some have gotten worse.
I wouldn't take my wife to places like Dearborn, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Altanta, and a few other cities without having serious conversations with the local cops first. I did go to Baltimore for a weekend, but was carefully coached on where to stay and what areas not to go to. Even went to Nashville once but had an in with a local cop who steered me clear of certain areas. That's why I keep up my presence on a few cop forums.
It's not all about any particular race, creed, or anything else. It's about trying to stay current on high-crime areas and visiting area that aren't. Even rural areas around the country can be problematic.
It's risk assessment pure and simple. Minimizing any risk is a key component of that process. To do that you need good intel on the area you are going to. My wife wants to go to CA. I won't refuse her and took her she can go but I wouldn't be going with her. Of course, she's jealous because I have had vacations throughout Mexico, many of the islands and I wouldn't go to many of those places anymore. They were safe enough back when, but not worth the risk now. Plus I dread leaving the US these days. And I don't fly because I hate what the feds have done to that whole process. So I'm very narrow-minded on options. I guess actually, even airports are a "no-go" area for me.
