Anti Gentrification Protests in Highland Park (best neighborhood, 2014, rent)

[jm1982]

I read about the recent Antigentrification protests in Highland Park

It seems these protests feel that 'new' businesses in the area are a negative and are 'displacing' long time residents with roots in the area.

This is an example of some of the signs that were posted on businesses
Anti-gentrification protest rolls down York Boulevard | The Eastsider LA

It seems crazy that there would be people so against new, legal businesses in their area providing JOBS and supporting the economy.

Especially since these aren't big national or multinational chains, but independent businesses.

As an example of how misguided this group appears to be...

"Restaurateur Andre Guerrero, who opened Maximiliano three years ago on York and has had his storefront defaced with anti-gentrification graffiti in the past, expressed anger and dismay.

“My family moved to Glassell Park over 50 years ago. In fact, when we moved here, we were the first Filipino family,” says Guerrero. “I guess the thing that I resent about people who want to protest my being here is that I was probably here before they were. And then they insinuate that somehow I’m a privileged white person with a sense of entitlement. I guess I do have a sense of entitlement because this is my neighborhood….I’m not some carpetbagger opportunist.”

- See more at: http://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/going-highland-park/#sthash.qIuxBJ2A.dpuf"

Is this a taste of things to come for highland park and other gentrifying areas or does one think this is more of a one time thing to blow off some steam?

Do these residents (if they even live in Highland Park) think they would be better off if all these newer businesses left and the gangbangers were more present ?

[munchitup]

I almost moved to Highland Park, glad I didn't after seeing these things.

Yes I am white but not rich or privileged and have no problem shopping at Latino-catering grocery stores etc. I think I would feel pretty uncomfortable with these borderline racist protests. To be fair, I read some comments on Eastsider and it does sound like some of the new 'hipster' arrivals have shown racist attitudes toward the established Latino community.

I just hope all of this is the loudest idiots (both gentrifiers and protester) having their voices heard and that they are just a vocal minority.

Take a drive down Fig, it is still overwhelmingly Latino-geared retail and quite a few empty storefronts. No one is getting pushed out.

One thing it seems these 'natives' are forgetting is that white people are getting priced out of Central LA and the Westside too. Are white people really not 'allowed' to live in neighborhoods that were previously dominated by marginalized races?

[MordinSolus]

I think a lot of the "anti-gentrification" movement is actually motivated by an anti-white agenda. And that includes white people in the movement. There's so much self-loathing among white liberals and they're always looking for issues to take up that are anti-white and pro-minority, even if it's only in appearance and not in actuality as we see here.

[the one]

I think its laughable. los angeles is a city of constant turn over ("forced" or otherwise). most areas have gone from being one thing to another over short periods. even "historic south central" has seen shifts - White>>Black>>Black/Brown>>Browner. I don't live in the best neighborhood and rail transit, contrary to popular belief, did little for us economically but I would welcome some of these changes in my neighborhood.
full disclosure : I own so rent prices wouldn't really affect me. obviously those who do rent are in greater danger of being displaced. but I would like to see some money invested in different sectors and interests. it would also be nice to not have to go out of my area for certain goods.
ANNNNND if you think about it and compare what exists in "hipster" neighborhoods, its not very different from these long standing latino or black hoods.

we have tacos, they have tacos. we have a bike shop, they have a bike shop. they have a juicery, we have a juicery AND BIONICOS(fruit and yogurt). they have a crepery, we have a quesadilla specialist. of course the main difference would be the price point, but latinos and blacks are already sort of hipsters. we have those creative ideas (just not always the capital).
its sad when people from the neighborhood are seen as "invaders" just because they don't look like everyone else.
I would hope that there would be a place for all kinds of business that cater to the various socioeconomic tiers in the neighborhood. I want it all. some people will survive, others wont. thats life.

[snatale1]

Not really surprising, let's be realistic, "Gentrification" is the politically correct way of saying White people pricing out minorities. If the area is on the come up, then I doubt those new businesses would want to hire people that can't even protest in our countries language let alone serve their customers.

[CarawayDJ]

No sympathy from this guy. OK, a bit. I don't like to see anyone have to relocate because they were priced out of an area. So why no sympathy?

1. It kinda highlights the hypocrisy of those who scream racism everywhere nowadays. All races and all subcultures can get antsy when they see their cultural enclaves being encroached upon. It only seems to be called racist when it's white people doing the complaining. In reality no race is beyond this. I'm not even sure I can classify it as racism. People settle into a particular culture and vibe and just don't want to see it changed.

2. This seems to get a lot of attention ONLY when it happens in cities. Seriously, city dwellers seems to be a protected species in America. If you settle down in a city and raise a family you seem to think you should receive some special sort of protection from being displaced. Again, I have a bit of sympathy, but only a bit. I'd have more sympathy if Americans showed any concern when it happens to people who don't live in a city. People in rural America get priced out of their homes every single day. They have their way of life upended every single day. Cities/urban areas grow and consume people and their way of life all of the time. Heck, this even happens in the suburbs. Where's all of the outrage? We hardly notice this. What makes someone living in a city special?

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by snatale1

Not really surprising, let's be realistic, "Gentrification" is the politically correct way of saying White people pricing out minorities. If the area is on the come up, then I doubt those new businesses would want to hire people that can't even protest in our countries language let alone serve their customers.

The sad part I think too is that a lot of these business owners I am sure do have a respect for the area . Otherwise they wouldn't sink a ton of money to create restaurants etc there .

There are still plenty of white majority areas business owners can open in and I'm guessing highland park isn't that cheap especially on York .

They are also mom and pop shops it seems like rather than the big faceless chains.

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by snatale1

Not really surprising, let's be realistic, "Gentrification" is the politically correct way of saying White people pricing out minorities. If the area is on the come up, then I doubt those new businesses would want to hire people that can't even protest in our countries language let alone serve their customers.

Whatever the color of someone's skin, gentrification is the "upscaling' of a less than appealing area. And it's a perfectly acceptable thing. It was acceptable when the areas first went downhill and it's acceptable for them to go uphill again. Life.

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by munchitup

Take a drive down Fig, it is still overwhelmingly Latino-geared retail and quite a few empty storefronts. No one is getting pushed out.

This.

The same could be said for lots of neighborhoods like HP, at least regarding the commercial property. If empty storefronts are what keep residential rents low there's something very wrong.

[GarrettD]

Originally Posted by MordinSolus

I think a lot of the "anti-gentrification" movement is actually motivated by an anti-white agenda. And that includes white people in the movement. There's so much self-loathing among white liberals and they're always looking for issues to take up that are anti-white and pro-minority, even if it's only in appearance and not in actuality as we see here.

It's less about anti-white agenda and more about preserving ones community and culture.