Confessions of a Black Gentrifier

Trumystic, you've convinced me. So long as I get to choose which uneducated or unemployed folks (without regard to color) are to be allowed to move onto my block, after carefully vetting their personal histories, behavior and values, I will not worry about their presence or seek to exclude them.

Anyway, I think some people have a goal to rid all people of all of their stereotypes and prejudices.

Is this a conclusion you've made about anyone here based on what anyone has posted? How does wanting to avoid groups that have been shown to contain elements that are dangerous equate to wanting to get rid of them? This is what I meant by putting words in people's mouths, albeit in a roundabout way

And I think it's pretty easy to come up with instances or scenarios in which stereotyping is appropriate; to suggest that no such scenarios exist is to suggest that people are wrong to use prior experiences to make judgment calls on how to proceed in an impending but familiar situation... its like forced amnesia

Of course, danger lies in the creation + usage of stereotypes to disenfranchise or harm someone (i.e. the growing # of attacks on people assumed to be of Muslim descent since 9/11, the blocking of mosques etc), but IMO there's no harm/foul in saying "there is high crime in the inner city, I do not want to live there" or having experienced a change in the worse for one's neighborhood due to inner city folks moving in and saying "since these inner city folks have moved in the quality of life has gone down dramatically, i do not want to live around them"

Its no different from not wanting to live around young party people or whatever, certain demographics just have higher incidences of certain behaviors. And it's not the same as to say "i do not want to live around black people" because, TBH, black people are a more diverse group than inner city people. The quality of life issues are way more prevalent + common in poor areas than in "black" areas, the primarily black middle class suburbs in the south are proof of this.

8/10/2010

Separate is never equal:

Rice Professor: Damage from segregation rises with each generation

(excerpted)

...

Emerson, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and co-director of the university's new Institute for Urban Research (IUR), gave a brief summary of segregation in Houston based on the 2000 Census that showed distinct separation between black and white neighborhoods, with Hispanics somewhat more integrated but still dominating many neighborhoods of their own.

"People make their own decisions, their own incomes, and they're all trying to get the best house and neighborhood they can get. How does it end up they live so segregated by race?" he asked.

Emerson said he hears two common answers. The first: "It's not race; it's class.

"In fact, that's not the answer," he said. "There is a range of incomes within any racial group, and when we look at where people live by income level, (they're) still segregated by race. Segregation by race is substantially greater than segregation by income."

The second answer -- "People like to live with people like themselves" -- is somewhat more accurate, he said, but still not the answer. “What we have found is that in current times, many people want not to live with certain people -- people they think will drive down their property values, raise crime and lower the quality of local education. They use race to decide these other factors."

Emerson's own neighborhood is a good example of what has befallen not only Houston but also major cities nationwide. "When I moved there, it was mixed with many racial groups, but now it's 99 percent black and Hispanic," said the professor, who is white. He noted that in 21st-century America, he's "totally convinced we have to live in integrated neighborhoods, so my family and I choose to do so."

Too few are so committed to diversity, according to the most recent Houston Area Survey.

A "factorial experiment" of African-Americans, Hispanics and whites, 1,000 each, revealed important results. Individuals were first asked if they'd buy a house that had everything they were looking for, was close to work and within their price range.

"Everybody hears that," Emerson said. "Then there was a part that was computer-generated (with parameters that changed for each phone call): Checking on the neighborhood, you find the property values are increasing/decreasing, the crime rate is high/low, the schools are of high/low quality, and the neighborhood is X percent respondent’s own race and X-to-100 percent of another racial group.

"This is a lot to remember," he said. "That's exactly what we want, because we're looking to see what people key on. For example, if I hear 'crime rate is increasing,' that's what I'll remember, and I probably won't buy that home."

Emerson said the results showed, as expected, sensitivity among all groups to high crime rates and low-quality schools. Blacks and whites were more sensitive to home valuation than Hispanics.

"Are there still racial-composition effects? If what people tell us is true, they should go away," he said. Race is indeed less of an issue for Hispanics, at least in Harris County. But for whites, "you get a different story. They are highly sensitive to percent black and percent Hispanic.

"Even if you take a neighborhood that has low crime, high-quality schools and rising property values and you say it's 30 percent black, in almost every single case, the white respondent will say, 'Not likely to buy the home.'"

And the more educated whites are, the more likely they are to live in highly segregated neighborhoods, he said. “Again, this is not an income effect; it’s an education effect.

"What we find is that we can have diverse neighborhoods; we just can't have whites in those diverse neighborhoods for very long because of their racial preferences."

...

http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=14607

BY MIKE WILLIAMS

Rice News staff

...

Black On Black Gentrification - personally speaking, I hate the idea of my economic presence pushing-forcing anyone out because I can afford the market rate, more than they pay etc.

But, when the community is of African descent (black), it has an extra sting of a cumulated effects of long, historic pattern of systematic injustice in Afro- Americans attempted home ownership and being systematically denied loans - when qualified - racial convents in leases not to sell to blacks etc

In all honesty, this is the first community where I'm a "Gentrifier" of sorts. The E Vilage & Park Slope had long been gentrified when I moved in.

Black on Black gentrification is a highly nuanced subject, especially in NYC.

But personally, I try to "fit in". Engage and truly try to know and understand this particular community. I don't want to live near crime, gun violence, drug activity and ignorant people of any race or class.

Unfortunately, there is a major class divide in CH regardingvtge new arrivals and sone of the long yoners, mainly the rent controlled or Section 8 receptiants, and quite frankly I try not to call attention on what side of the line I fall on.

I also notice a large group of mainly Midfle-age, Midfle class, people of African descent, home owners who do not seem to be recognized in these discussions of gentrification. As they seem not to fit the "cultural type" of what some of the newcomers recognize as symbols of middle-classiness.

Personal, I feel Criwn Heights is on the road to gentrification.,, BUT if you're renting with a roomaye or two to pay the rent, you may pay more than your "long time" neighbor.., but don't kid yourself.., you are more like the constructionworkers in my mind.

Tearing up or changing the old, to prepare for the new or true gentry. The home, condo or co-op buyers making very comfortable high 5 figures, but more than likely 6 figure salaries.

Right now, in Crown Heights, more white kids may be moving in, in higher numbers than before renting at higher prices than before.., but are they the Gentry? In my personal opinion no.

They are the transitional kids who will help transform the social-racial- and somewhat economic demographic to make the true Gentry, deep pocketed professionals, feel comfortable crossing Flatbush ave, least more Washington, Franklin or Nostrand.

So, unless you own, or are making plans to own in the next 3 -5 yrs.., be prepared to be exploring East New York soon and starting all over again.

They vulnerable, low capital individuals are the first to be screwed. It may be the long term renter today, but tomorrow when a population of young, single professionals - making a confutable very high 5 figure salary at the lowest - and medium salary in the 6 figures discovers Crown Heights - then truly say hello to the Gentry as you are being priced- forced-pushed out.

BottOn Line - O personally take no pleasure in pushing any hard working, law abiding person or famy out because I earn more -and it does sting just a bit more when they look like me and/ or my relatives - but lack the education, resources and social networking skills I posses.

Snowboard Q-

Good post.

When a neighborhood changes, a lot of the research says that those who are most likely to be priced out of a neighborhood are folks who were barely able to afford it before the change. Basically, unlike higher income groups, they have no cushion of discretionary funds to allocate toward more rent.

As you stated, this is partly due to government programs (such as Sect 8, rent stabilization, etc) that effectively protect long term residents lucky enough to receive them.

I also agree with your assertion that those displaced are often replaced by those who earn only slightly more than them.

Capt Planet and I discussed a group of folks that we feel are particularly susceptible here:

http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/topic/housing-abandonment-and-homeless#post-728051

The problems arises in that not everyone is in favor of increased protections for tenants.

For example, people who own rental properties would like to get the most money for their properties and be free from government restrictions.

For example, taxpayers and politicians are weary of promising protections and assistance that will be expensive or tedious to implement and enforce.

We also live in a city that tries to merely balance the pace of change, as opposed to actually preventing change. We also live in a neighborhood that has had a huge boom in housing construction and refurbishing of long vacant properties ....which is to say, not all of the new faces in the neighborhood are the result of old faces being displaced.

As a result of the competing forces in the housing market, I can't say I think we ended up in this situation as a result of anyone's (political party, rental tenants, mayor, REBNY, HUD, landlord, potential homeowners, homebuilders, etc.) actual design and strength.

The forces are just too complex and strong to point a finger and say ....you are too blame!

In fact, I have concluded that NO ONE would design our present system, because it is not logical in so many ways.

...the "system" stems from an ongoing evolution of ever changing regulations, preferences (which includes ones based on race), and incomes.

As a result of this ongoing evolution, no one interest or set of people has control over it.

But, yup, those with money, education and connections always have more control over their lives than those without. I can't imagine ever changing that fact, and you are wise to be aware that someday you too may be priced out. (as may I)

Due to the factors I have listed, I do not think I will ever get to see what it look like to live in a place that went to the extent that it attempted to prohibit neighborhood changes that arose from market forces.

Nor am I certain that I would want to live in such a place.

The easiest way may be to see whether the cars parked on the block are still beat-up heaps, or whether the proportion of new Toyotas and Hondas is increasing. Once you see a significant number of BMWs (ones without spinner rims and blackout glass), Audis and Land Rovers, it's too late... The nabe is gentrified.

That's probably another reliable sign of regime change.

Actually I think NYC probably has more economic diversity within neighborhoods than most places. Granted there is still extreme geographic segregation by class even in diverse neighborhoods, but look at neighborhoods like Ft Greene that has very well off professionals, long-time middle class homeowners, lower income folks in housing projects and no income college students.

If your taste in reading includes the academic, there's a case study of this matter (apologies if this has been referenced earlier in the thread).

Mary Pattillo, Black on the Block (2007).

Wow, that's a lot to ingest. Speaking of ingesting I am about to get some baguette bread, blue cheese, and some olive oil -- three things I could not get around the corner last year this time. And oh, it's nearly 1am in the morning... As I make the walk, I will be wary of the brothas up to no good, the white girls who give me cautious glances, and the white dudes with fixed closed faces as I walk by...

Gentrification brings with it access to better goods and services. It's a crest of betterment that if you can afford it, it's a wonderful thing. If you can't then it sucks like crazy. I am riding the wave as best I can.

Here is another article that refers to the issues of gentrification, and being a person of color:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E0DC113DF933A15751C0A9679D8B63

MHA said:

Wow, that's a lot to ingest. Speaking of ingesting I am about to get some baguette bread, blue cheese, and some olive oil -- three things I could not get around the corner last year this time. And oh, it's nearly 1am in the morning... As I make the walk, I will be wary of the brothas up to no good, the white girls who give me cautious glances, and the white dudes with fixed closed faces as I walk by...

Gentrification brings with it access to better goods and services. It's a crest of betterment that if you can afford it, it's a wonderful thing. If you can't then it sucks like crazy. I am riding the wave as best I can.

Here is another article that refers to the issues of gentrification, and being a person of color:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E0DC113DF933A15751C0A9679D8B63

Interesting article. The city is always changing now. I get scoffed at by young people for having moved to Manhattan

But various parts of the city have gone through radical changes. I know old white dudes from ENY... ENY! They sometimes mention in passing how different the neighborhood was.

How does one balance the combined wisdom of

The Jackson Five and the Brady Bunch

against

the wisdom of Public Enemy?

Gasp, can both perspectives be right?

Trumystic said:

Snowboard queen, interesting point about waves of people moving in that foretell the "real gentry" coming in...

You defined the pre-gentrifiers pretty clearly. So how do you tell when the gentry are moving in? People make jokes about it being a neighborhood blog, a Starbucks or big name real estate company opening an office. What's the tipping point in your mind that tells you the real gentry is coming?

Tipping Points:[u]

When I park and retrieve my motorcycle from the garage, there are many nice, under stated expensive cars, and I'm not the only one tipping the attendants.

Being invited to the Harvard Club - by a few neighbors - to discuss a fabulous idea they have for a documentary.

Being invited to my new neighbors - lil' cottage - ie huge mansion/summer house in the Hamptons.

The "Hipsters" quickly disappearing and being replaced by the Upper East side casuals with bank accounts and/or family funds to match.

Asking if I can recommend where "qualified" help to clean their homes, take their clothes to the cleaners etc.

When apt rentals become condos and are brought 2 to 3 at a time - by 1 person - to make 1 lovely apt.

When lovely brownstones are brought, quickly gutted, either rehabilitated or completely modernized as the new owners comfortable rent, lease live elsewhere.

Starbucks - why would it exist? When your sweet domestic help can be trained to make a mean cappuccino in your coffee bar off the side of your renovated kitchen.

And finally, when the sweet, young kids living 2 or more to an apt., start bombarding the boards with how they are being priced and/or forced out by their greedy landlords to rent to a single person who can afford to rent at twice the rate all the roommates combined were paying. And they are now being forced to consider housing East of Utica.

This is just the being as Franklin Ave and Nostrand ave will be completely unrecognizable AND there will be a rumors that West Indians and people of African descent used to live in Crown Heights - just as in Park slope.