Do Black Gentrifiers Exist?.
Can black people be gentrifiers in black neighborhoods? Gentrifier shatters conventional ways people are often programmed to view gentrification. Gentrifier succeeds by,“illuminating a path where it must begin” more than “outlining a path forward”.
Other books on gentrification will feel like reading a masters dissertation, that Only experts will understand.
Gentrifier however excels in making its point clear. Examples of, Why people gentrify, and the different types of gentrifiers, are great break downs of complex subjects. Furthermore you get 3 unique real life perspectives from the book.
Gentrifier can be purchased here
CNN’S Marc Lamont Hill, wrestles with trying to not be a gentrifier while choosing the best life for his child. Hill has that desire to be around those he advocates for, while experiencing an “authentic” black experience. This “authentic” experience contains crime, poverty, and low performing schools which curator types seek to preserve and experience.
Gentrifier is an eye opener that experts in urban planning will enjoy or first time readers of gentrification literature
Or take John Schlichtman’s experience. John is married to a black woman and they have a biracial child. John acknowledges his privilege as a white male and wants his daughter to grow up around “authentic” black people. John and his wife debate on sending their daughter to a predominately white school or a diverse poor performing school.
While his wife is more concerned about their daughters education, John is concerned about the cultural impact. John supports local owned business’s and interacts with neighbors, to not appear as a gentrifier.
So are black people with moderate wealth who move in to lower middle class communities gentrifiers?. What about white men with biracial children who want their children to grow up having an “authentic” black experience?.
Common phrases such as, “don’t forget where you come from” and “sellout” are told to the same people we call gentrifiers. This book will make you observe and potentially revise how you view gentrification but is that enough?
If the meaning, symbology, causes, and effects of gentrification has been eradicated, something must replace it. Which brings us to the end of the book. In what is the shortest section of the book we’re given several pages of practically well thought out solutions. However, our perspective of gentrifiers has been rearranged were left with wanting a definitive good and bad of gentrifiers.
The book is called gentrifiers, therefore it’s only right that gentrifiers’ perspective will dominate the book..However, not enough time was spent on the developer’s and politicians’ perspectives and motives(profit), (votes). The gentrifier, Developer, and politician all have an interrelated relationship when dealing with gentrification that can’t be avoided. Each influences the other to get what they want to be done, whether it be politically, resources, impact.
Despite disinvestment being discussed throughout the book, accountability is also missing. Someone has to sign off on zoning, someone has to raise the rent, property tax, someone has to protest and raise awareness and get other residents involved. But again, the book is called gentrifier and these are minor errors in an otherwise good book.
Gentrifier is an eye-opener that experts in urban planning will enjoy or first-time readers of gentrification literature. While Gentrifier gives a unique perspective on gentrification AND the gentrifier it leaves the reader wanting more. Only because it’s a good book though.
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