Gentrification And Its Effects

The duality of gentrification has been a controversial topic. Gentrification occurs when a particular area has become increasingly attractive to people with more money because of its flair or edginess. This potential profit interests businesses and results in the buying out of the land. When they do this, they demolish the buildings standing on them, remove the tenants, and rebuild on that very land. While some people may see gentrification as redeveloping and rejuvenating a rundown community, others see it as a way for companies to take advantage of the low-priced land. This is at the expense of the original tenants, leading to the displacement, and even homelessness, of the residents. Sometimes, the intentions of these corporations are not genuine and filled with ulterior motives.  

“A pro, I would say, is healthier living. Not many people want to live in a neighborhood where everything has to be locked up. A con would simply be that you’re running families out who can’t really afford to go anywhere else but low-income neighborhoods,” said Melissa Jackson, a 17-year-old African American student at Miami Norland Senior High School.

According to U.S. News, of Norland’s total enrollment of 1,712 students, 99 percent are a part of minority ethnic groups and 79 percent of those students are economically disadvantaged. When speaking to Jackson, she explained that although she does think gentrification has its advantages such as community development, it also has its drawbacks.

“If low-income neighborhoods are continuously sought out, there won’t be anywhere left for them to go,” Jackson said.  She understands that gentrification doesn’t always have a positive effect and that sometimes, the residents who are financially challenged are the ones taking the biggest hit.

I personally believe that the the demonization of gentrification is pretty extreme, and shouldn’t be so one-sided. However, since a lot of the advocates who are against ingenuine gentrification are of minority ethnic groups, the groups who are primarily affected by gentrification, I’d say their anguish, disappointment, and want for change is called for.

“The only differentiation from gentrification and anything else is because it is disadvantageous to the original residents…that’s the missing piece,” said Clarence Harrison, a 26-year-old graduate of Florida State University.

He says he believes that in the sense of economy, gentrification does exactly what it was made to do; it gives aesthetics, encourages tourism, and increases property value. On the other hand, he also believes that gentrification strips away the culture and history of a community, which are very critical parts of its foundation. In the eyes of the government, gentrification is bettering the community and will facilitate a more enjoyable dynamic within it. But government officials and political figures are usually not the groups of people who have to worry about this issue.

According to Governing, a nationally published magazine who mainly caters to local and state governments, gentrification greatly accelerated in the top 50 cities in the U.S. since 2000. As of 2015, nearly 20 percent of neighborhoods and communities with lower incomes and home values have experienced gentrification since 2000.

Gentrification may not be a pressing matter for some, but it is a very real issue that can severely impact those who are disadvantaged, simply just because they are disadvantaged. There is plenty of room for growth and improvement in the process of gentrification, and necessary steps need to be taken so that this process positively impacts the community, as well as the community.

“The issue of gentrification isn’t solved in its active play, it’s solved at the core of the community, Harrison said.