Weird, your response isn't showing up in the comments section but it does in your posting history. I'll repost it here for others to read. I'll respond to it shortly:
90's to 2000's. It didn't feel nightmare-level to me, just really disappointing. Especially when arriving at Purdue and later in Chicago.
At Purdue (Early 2000's), I expected all students to be open to learning (not only course material but to others) and culture. I wouldn't say everyone there was bad, I had a great time at Purdue and keep in touch with many friends from there. All my ex-girlfriends at Purdue were all white (funny thing is, I don't remember any instances where someone called me a racial slur when they were around -- not sure if it's just my memory). A few of my friends from Purdue tell me that I'm the only Asian person they are friends with (or even know). To me, it just speaks volumes of how others may not be exposed (positively) to minorities. Sadly, prior to arrival I didn't realize that much of the students going to Purdue were from small towns in Indiana.. Many of my friends mentioned how Walmart was their hangout place or how they didn't even have a stoplight in their town until recently. One of my ex's (dated for 4 years) was a blonde-haired townie who never imagined in her life that she'd be dating an Asian man. And SHE was the one who approached me during a party. I keep realizing that people are new to this. We're in 21st Century and it's like this. But I tell myself that about 50 years ago, there was government regulations condoning apartheid.
In Chicago (Late 2000's), I expected more.. I brushed off my encounters at Purdue and thought that since I was living in a real (relatively big) city, that everyone would be more open, educated, and diverse. At the time, I lived in Lincoln Park and later in Lake View. My old roommate (known since high school) still recalls the day we went to Subway outside our apartment (we lived VERY close to the L) and the employee at Subway made a racial comment to me when it was my time to order. Honestly, I didn't even hear all of it and was zoned out looking at the menu. All I knew was that my roommate (my roommate is a BIG white guy) went over the counter and grabbed the guy by his shirt, and then we left to eat at another place. He told me, after that moment, he finally realized all those times I mentioned my racial encounters.. He believed me before but I guess he came to a point of realization that it actually happens. I think most non-minority people expect that you're doing something wrong, acting poorly, or provoking someone to make racial comments. For him, such a simple task of getting food from Subway and encountering racial discrimination/comments, was appalling.
I love Chicago but I hope it changes. I used to have some family in Chicago and would visit every year (I think the food is amazing). My current girlfriend (also white) and I were recently talking about possible places to move to after we get married in the future.. Chicago came up and it brought up these feelings. I love the food, architecture, would easily be able to find a job, and still have many friends in Chicago. But do I want to subject myself to those experiences again? Has Chicago changed since I left? What if I only go to more mature places (i.e., not Wrigleyville)? In my current location, I have not received a single racial slur/comment. It makes me hesitant to select Chicago. I mentioned this to my girlfriend but I'm not sure if she really understands since she has never personally encountered racism.