In a political season where the phrase "spread the wealth" has become increasingly popular among the candidates, it would be great if Black America was able to share in the wealth that has accompanied the gentrification movement in urban America over the past 20 years. I looked up the word "gentrification." The word has origins rooted in the French word genterise, roughly translated to mean "people of noble birth."
With this definition in tow, if the gentrification of urban America is the movement of people of "noble birth" (that is, middle- and upper-class professionals) into inner city communities, then gentrification is a "bad thing" if the Black community can not do two things. ...
1. Leverage the talents and resources of the "noble people" in order to create new opportunities to create Black wealth of resources (e.g., increased job opportunities, better educational avenues and accomplishments, more Black talent infusion); and
2. Become more of the "noble people" that benefit from gentrification.
Of course, the problem inhibiting this movement towards a better position for the Black community is the fact that there is movement of the Black community – namely, as many of the benefits of gentrification move in, much of the Black community often is forced to move out.
Without changing the dynamic, gentrification will remain a cyclical occurrence within the Black community where we are moved like nomads each time land values dictate a potential sound investment opportunity for developers.
So, how do we change the dynamic?
We must be involved in the voting districts that we live in, especially as urban development plans are currently made around us without us in mind. That dynamic must change. We must see to it that we are more involved in planning boards, zoning discussions, and land development proposals that exist in our communities. This will allow us to be proactive in the process rather than being reactive to discussions and decisions that occur without our input.
If we are homeowners and/or land-owners in the areas that gentrification is likely to occur, we must be wiser with our negotiations and decisions as change comes to the neighborhood.
If we decide to stay in the neighborhood, we must position ourselves to ensure that we are capable of providing valuable feedback and influence over the new developments coming into our communities. By knowing the laws, the vision of the city and/or developers, and the history of the area(s) affected, we would be better equipped to save historic areas and aspects of our communities as well as carve out niches within the new developments that we can leverage and/or influence.
If we decide to sell and leave the area, we must negotiate prices closer to the potential future land values that our land will command after new development is complete, not settle for the current value. That is the benefit of urban revitalization for investors – buy land at low values and create high-value properties afterward. As smart capitalists, we must make sure that these deals benefit us as much as possible as well. If we are going to create Black wealth as a result of gentrification/urban revitalization, we must make sure that the subsequent wealth created touches a maximum amount of people, including those that no longer live in revitalized areas.
Even if we are not homeowners and/or land-owners, we still have an opportunity to benefit from gentrification should we be forced to endure it. For example, any move by governments of cities or towns to move one set of the population out of an area for the "benefit of urban revitalization" must be politically accompanied with dedicated, premeditated focus on destination schools, crime prevention efforts, and job opportunities. Initiatives such as job fairs in the new area would allow for those affected by gentrification to have opportunities to benefit from the revitalization of the area even if they do not remain residents.
Again, this takes regular political activism at the polls and in the government meetings to make sure that the wealth created from revitalization touches everyone impacted by new urban development. By not doing this, cities and towns merely move a challenged area to another geographic location. The pattern stays cyclical.
As long as Black people continue to be highly impacted by revitalization efforts as displaced residents without strengthening their political, legislative, and economic standings to change the dynamics, "urban revitalization" will continue to be synonymous with gentrification for Black people. If so, we will continue to get the short end of the stick. Once we begin to influence these new developments at a higher level, Black communities will find that we can benefit from revitalization and, eventually, be leaders during these societal changes as well.
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Lenny McAllister is the Political Guru for Fox News - Charlotte and blogs the Republican side of the election for BlackVoices. He is a frequent contributor to The Charlotte Post and The North Carolina Conservative.
Comments: (10)
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By: Calvin on 11/05/2008 6:41AM
Come on now, Lenny.. Don't you know there is, was, and will always be no such thing as gentrification in black neighborhoods. Our neighborhoods are too dilapidated to ever turn around. There's too much crime, too much poverty, too much unemployment, etc. And whoever thinks otherwise is fooling themselves and the public at large. Black communities have no history worth maintaining. Why would you ever want to repeat the past?
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By: angry white man on 10/31/2008 10:12PM
hahahahahahaha i have to stop laughing before i get the hiccups is their anything black people dont try to blame the white man for you dont save a neighborhood by making sure nobody steals it thats like saying you can win a basketball game by not letting the other team score at the best your going to get a 0-0tie you have to invest you have to work you have to make it better no blame someone else i was down in liberty city berfore the riots and ten years later what the blacks were doing with it and what the spanish have done with itis all i need to see about how the blacks take care of their own [hoods] you have no one to blame but yourself
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By: BlaAdri on 11/01/2008 1:41PM
I'm sorry Calvin, but I have to strongly disagree. I don't know what part of the country you reside in, but in big metropolitan areas, such as Chicago, DC and NYC, impoverished areas have become quality real estate areas for new condos and homes at discounted prices. They discount the prices to entice people to this "bad area" that has been rebuilt.
The bad side of this is the original inhabitants of these gentrification areas usually are forced to relocate to areas that are far away from their homes.
On they other hand, if you are a young person and want to own a home and can't afford one, the gentrification property is usually in your price range.
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By: texas George on 11/08/2008 8:49PM
So, after a certain point you just give up, have no vision, throw in the towel, that's the problem, Everyone now days think every thing suppose to be easy. Flash it's done. and most important no faith in self.
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By: Sheila Maddox on 11/02/2008 8:52AM
Thanks for this article. If've been a homeowner in Baltimore for over 30yrs. I've seen this neighborhood go through quite a few transitions, including the ominous rating of the highest crime zone in the city. Now, I'm being barraged with requests from these "developers" to purchase my home. We've had an influx of "community development" which includes soccer fields, bike paths, rugby leagues, etc. We've always had the 2 golf courses, 3 universities, great hospitals, lake views, etc. I've tried to become enlightened through the community association. But I'm being shut out. Any suggestions?
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By: Marcus Right on 11/03/2008 5:19AM
this will truly be a sad day for america if obama is elected into office.voting for a president just becsuse he is black,very sad.just like sheep to be slaughtered,blindly voting for higher taxes and more welfare,gay marriage,killing even more of our babies with abortions. black at ANY COST????
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By: Nerby on 11/03/2008 7:07PM
on november 5th your laughter will end. VOTE OBAMA / BIDEN *2008*
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By: John on 11/03/2008 7:10PM
In my experience with people over many years, you can usually make a reasonable judgement of a persons character by the company they keep and family ties. In looking at Barack Obama I have used this to make, what I consider, a reasonably accurate judgement on his character. I have looked at his Pastor, Reverend Wright, and see a man full of hatred and racism. Barack referred to this man as family, spent 20 years in his church and baptized his children there. The next is Bill Ayers, known as the washed up terrorist. The key word is "Terrorist". Old or new, he still says today, he should have bombed more. These were innocent people he is talking about killing. He also launched Barack's political career from his living room.
Next is Tony Resco, convicted felon, slum lord, who sold Barack a house for 300,000 under market value, not a crime, but why would this man treat Obama in such a friendly manner? Next is Khalidi. some feel is a spokesperson for the PLO. Obama attended a farewell party for Khalidi at the university of Chicago. Then there are groups like ACORN, which have been involved with voter fraud that Obama's has "worked alongside all his life", his words not mine. What did all these people see in Barack that they wanted to support him? I will not vote for a man because of his color. Now I have drawn my conclusions, and it may be time to make yours. Do you feel you can trust his judgment with your future and that of our children.
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By: linda on 11/03/2008 9:33PM
yes, I think we can trust him with our furture and our childern. He will be one of the most honorable president. He will be nothing like George Bush and his administration. That is why the United State is in the shape it is in now. Money gone, Houses gone, United State is broken because of a Bush Admin. John McCain want to keep our troops in a war forever, spending all of our money on wars we should not have had, sending our son's and daugther's to war, killing tnousands and thousands of our son's and daughter's in war. We will have the same thing under a McCain president. Lets try Obama, and we will see later we was glad we did. Think of Healthcare, Money, retirement, homes. All of those things are our american dream to maintain. Obama 2008.
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By: Mike Askew on 11/04/2008 1:21AM
In response to John first of all I disagree with your assertation that Rev. Wright is "filled" with hate. I would say at least attend his church or talk to one of his members before making such a statement. I grew up listening to Rev. Wright and have several friends and family members who attend his church and there are so many positive attributes you can attach to the man and his church but "hate" is definitely not one of them unless you are referring to his hatred of injustice and bigotry. Next Mr. Khalidi was never a spokesperson for the P.L.O. Yes, Sen. Obama has many acquantances that span the political and ideological spectrum but that is a good thing, Bush's major flaw is surrounding himself with only like minded individuals. I think he will make a good president because he has such a wide range of associates. We need to stop demonizing people and painting with a broad brush and grow up and realize America's strength is it's diverse population and stop labeling people because we're all in this together.
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