via Wikimedia
Never before has America been so segregated. Following 60+ years of racist housing policies, another phenomenon is sweeping the nation and deepening the racial divide: gentrification.
According to urban theorist Philip Clay, there are four stages in the gentrification process. Awareness of them might save your community.
It all begins when people with more access to private and social capital purchase already-vacant property in state-neglected Black and low-income communities. Small-scale renovations are practiced in this stage; displacement is low.
Gentrification subtly begins to expand in stage two as large-scale developers take notice of renovations. The displacement of Black and poor residents or businesses begins, with the rent rising, available properties decreasing, and homeowners selling. A “hip” bar might pop up out of nowhere.
The media is involved in stage three. With the revitalization work in stage two now visible, previously disinvested areas are suddenly worth the investment. Aggressive developers may start bullying long-time homeowners by reporting code violations.
As James Baldwin called it in the 1960s, “Negro Removal” is at its pinnacle.
By stage four, the neighborhood has totally been transformed, many long-time residents displaced to provide luxury to the more affluent.
Knowing the stages of gentrification can help you determine the best action to take to protect your home and community - like not selling your property!
So tell us, is your neighborhood being gentrified?