Sometimes, they make it really obvious, like when they panhandle every light-skinned person who walks by leave other African-Americans alone.

In my neighborhood (the Bryn Mawr El stop), I've noticed that the panhandlers appear to solicit passers-by regardless of race. At least, I've seen black panhandlers solicit people of all races. I cannot say I've ever noticed whether the white panhandlers solicit blacks.

Of course, these are just basic panhandlers -- I've yet to encounter anyone there who had a whole story pitch.

Yet another difference on the north side -- Hyde Park-based panhandlers seemed to put more effort into it.