Taigi Smith and many other groups have experienced gentrification, including myself. I got to see the point of view from the people moving into my neighborhood and basically " invading " our culture. As being part of Brownsville community, seeing a different group of people such as White people, it's a bitter sweet experience. For one, rent has basically raised sky high. My family and I used to pay for a 3 bedroom apartment for only $1000/ month. Now as a result of gentrification by White people my family had to relocate to a new apartment now paying $1,500/month for only 3 bedrooms. As Smith said in her essay," When White people move into black neighborhoods, the police presence increases." Due to the fact of more police presence there's been less crimes around my neighborhood and more safety. You can now walk around my neighborhood past midnight and it's rare that you'll run into trouble. Though, Black people have to be cautious while walking around that time of the day, because most likely you'll be stopped by a cop, black male specially. Also, it's pretty cool to have a " chic cafe " around the corner. It's safe to study, and even chat with a friend. Before then it was rare to have a cafe in my neighborhood 5 years ago. Ever since White people started to pop up so did the " chic cafes ". I just wonder would had my neighborhood become a better place if the White people wouldn't had moved in.
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ReplyDelete"Now as a result of gentrification by White people my family had to relocate to a new apartment now paying $1,500/month for only 3 bedrooms."
ReplyDeleteOMG white people actually want to live in the cities they created, in the country they built? The audacity!
"I just wonder would had my neighborhood become a better place if the White people wouldn't had moved in."
Probably not, since it doesn't seem to have had a school before they showed up..