I'm all for gentrification. (Atlanta, Boston: live, versus, shop)

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by Domitian

just curious, but what is the opposite of gentrification?

The loss of middle and upper class within a neighborhood, leaving only poorer people who can't afford to move out. Housing prices go down from lack of demand. Blight takes over if there aren't enough poor people to absorb the properties, or if the prices don't drop enough before the homes become unlivable from vandalism.

White flight, middle class flight, etc.

Chicago is seeing a bit of this with their middle class black population leaving the south-side as soon as possible.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Domitian

just curious, but what is the opposite of gentrification?

see most American cities during the 60's and 70's.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

I think, if I am understanding your point here, is that white privilege allows someone to abuse the system through their wealth and connections only if they are white. A black person with the same wealth would not get that pass.

My point is that not every white person has that kind of wealth and power connections. I don't think this is really an area where we would strive for justice, is it? That black wealth get the same unfair treatment by the system? That poor of any race still get trodden on by the same system is a worse sin in my mind.

I haven't had to go thru our court system for much.... traffic fines primarily. The one time I really came under its heavy thumb was my divorce. I represented myself. The ex's dad ponied up for a big time lawyer. Her family wealth trumped mine and I got the shaft. So while there is certainly a viewpoint to see the "system" as favorable to whites, and I don't disagree that many times it is... but wealth and political connections to the good ol' boy system is not equally proportioned, even in the white privilege realm.

Brother Marks,

I am really sorry to hear about what happened with your ex's dad. Not cool and not good.


My point was just that a person/kid can benefit from both white privilege and wealth privilege.


For example, a wealthy black kid may get less of a sentence due to a fancy lawyer--however, he is much less likely to be given the benefit of the doubt (ie. "affluenza," or that Stanford swimmer kid) that a white kid would receive.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well, that cements my status as a nobody.

Well...

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Brother Marks,

I am really sorry to hear about what happened with your ex's dad. Not cool and not good.


My point was just that a person/kid can benefit from both white privilege and wealth privilege.


For example, a wealthy black kid may get less of a sentence due to a fancy lawyer--however, he is much less likely to be given the benefit of the doubt (ie. "affluenza," or that Stanford swimmer kid) that a white kid would receive.

I understand that was your point. I think of that figure of Justice holding the scales with a blindfold. That is the standard to look at, that justice be blind. I think we have as good of a system to aim toward that mark as can be had. Still shows up the evil that prevails in the hearts of men no matter how blind the system is ideologically created to be. There is only one true, fair and right judge. But this isn't a religious post now is it?

[coolieandre]

Gentrification is a good thing ya'll. For the sake of this post let's just call it "change". There is always change. People come and go and things change including areas. The OP didn't use the best word choices which is a sad thing as this topic is controversial right now in a lot of cities and touches the subject of politics and race.


Anyway, Atlanta's history specifically is touchy and gentrification will be a big issues here as well as cities such as Harlem where there is significant black populations, culture and hyper fast changes. If anybody has ever watched NOISEY or even STREETS By Vice you can view in addition to doing your own independent research how racism has created the structure and layout of the city. Not to focus solely on race but, hey it's why things are the way they are now. The videos goes into detail about Chattahoochee Plantation, when City of Atlanta was gaining dominance with the black community and our neighbor to the NW wanted to stop it, explains the culture behind Ponce, explains why ATL has 2 names for the same street, and so so much more. Def worth a watch.... But with knowing all that, I'm for change.


Change is a good thing b/c after the extreme gas prices of the 2000's and 9/11 there was a shift and awakening. The move back to the city was sparked and that blueprint was all the black neighborhoods that circled the core. In ATL this change started earlier as we all know what event we had in 96'.


Anyway, to sum it up. Cities are kinda like businesses, and they want to compete with other cities to gain economic dominance. If the city wants to clean itself up, and build Wholefoods, and Trader Joe's. Go ahead! Do it! It's better than seeing decapitated buildings. This is the normal cycle of life ya'll. The only thing I do not support is changing the identity of an area. If a community changes that has a high percentage of minorities, and since this is ATL we are going to say black people, whatever develops in that community needs to adapt. Street names need to stay the same, Park names remain the same, art work, monuments etc. The area needs to keep the identity. It's sad what I've heard about Harlem, and although I haven't been in 5yrs, I look forward to visiting hopefully fall. It's just crazy how when it comes to AA history and the reasoning behind the present day our culture and history is never respected, and if an area is going to change we deserve the respect of keeping the image of what the area once was esp since Atl was a city that purposely segregated the people.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by aries4118

well...

lmao...

[cqholt]

There should be policies in places to protect those families on a fixed income, who want to remain in their homes/apartments and have no felony record.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by jero23

lmao...

Hey, y'all can belittle me all you want, but the books I mentioned are all by well known scholars who've been writing about this for a long time.

Dr. Keating is professor emeritus at Georgia Tech's School of City & Regional Planning.

Dr. Bayor is professor emeritus in Tech's School of History and Sociology.

Dr. Stone is a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy George Washington.

Dr. Ferguson got her Ph.D. at Duke and is a professor at Simon Fraser.

Those who think one recent book is the be-all and end-all to an understanding of history have, I respectfully submit, a lot to learn.

[Forhall]

Gentrification is a wonderful thing. It's why property values are going up throughout Atlanta, and why people can actual walk around and not get shot. It's also why we are getting all of the investment in midtown, food halls, the beltline, etc. Guess what? People don't invest in ghettos. You can't put a nice shop in an area of things are going to come rob it. Gentrification is the only thing SAVING Atlanta.

Is it racist? Not necessarily. All races are part of gentrification. Wealthy educated African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and whites are all part of the new wave of people gentrifying Atlanta. Are the "undesirables" being pushed out mostly black? Yes, they are. Unfortunately, the vast majority of crime in Atlanta is committed by black residents, so in order for areas to truly become safe it makes sense that the ones being pushed out are black. After all, you can look at the Atlanta police department crime reports and plainly see that many years EVERY SINGLE HOMICIDE in the city is committed by African Americans. Most years it is 90%+. But it doesn't mean they have to be replaced by white people. Many times they are replaced by more affluent black families.