Gentrification is a process where wealthier people move to an area bringing with them new housing, modern restaurants and businesses, and attracting many people around the area to visit. It sounds appealing on the surface, but it actually has some very negative consequences, mainly for those who are already marginalized in the community. This often means the displacement of black and Hispanic communities. Relocating has a host a negative effects, including pushing people to worse off areas, which perpetuates the issue of poverty further, increased depression and emotional health, worsening academic performance in kids, reduced continuity of health care, and many others. According to Urbandisplacement.org, zip code is a greater indicator of life expectancy than genetics. This is a shocking and concerning finding, especially considering it disproportionately affects people of color. This topic hits close home for me, who grew up in Cincinnati, where gentrification has been a major topic in the last 20 or so years, particularly in a neighborhood called Over the Rhine (OTR). I would compare OTR the hipster sister of Columbus’ Short North. People love to go there for delicious and unique dining experiences, an abundance of art galleries and festivals, and the beautiful Washington Park that lies right in the middle. Before now though, you may have heard of this area as the location of the shooting of Timothy Thomas, a black man wanted for non-violent crimes 20 years ago that sparked some of the largest protests to that point. For the 10 years following that, OTR was known as one of the most dangerous areas in the country (BBC.org, 2021). As the area has been revitalized since then, many people have been pushed out of their homes and businesses as rent has risen astronomically, and crime has been cornered into outskirt areas that weren’t as dangerous before. The gentrification has solved the problem for this particular couple of main streets but perpetuated it the farther you veer off the newly beaten path. Even worse is the fact that tax dollars from those that can’t afford the new housing is what has been used to fund the new area. Growth from gentrification is often inequitable and exclusive. It further ostracizes and “others” minorities. This is a systemic injustice, since it is happening all over the country. Modernizing and making neighborhoods safer is not a bad thing, but it becomes a bad thing when it continues the issue of segregation. As a country we need to do better to learn how we can do these things equitably.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56048812
https://www.urbandisplacement.org/about/what-are-gentrification-and-displacement/
Videos:
Here is a news video from OTR explaining some of the consequences of gentrification. If you don’t watch the above video, this one is a real glimpse into what’s going on, so please watch this one!
I thought this video did a really good job of explaining the effects gentrification can have on the minorities that are displaced by it, as well as describing who is affected by it.
Hi! Great post you wrote. I chose to comment on yours because I really learned some things from it. I was always aware of gentrification, but I did not realize how close I was to one of the biggest cases around here. It is really sad to think that families and other civilians were pushed out of their home and town due to small businesses and wealthier people taking over. I feel that as a whole we need to do better and try and preserve people’s homes and living areas.
As someone not from Ohio, I was not familiar with the effects of gentrification in Ohio, such as this place in Cincinnati. However, as a native Austinite (Austin, Texas), I am very much aware of the gentrification in my city. In Austin, East Austin has been the most gentrified area. Growing up, East Austin, going east of 35 (I-35) was an area you stayed away from. The level of poverty was tremendous oncoe crossing the interstate, it is getting similar to the levels of Los Angeles. Nowadays, East Austin is becoming a trendy area to go shop and eat, pushing these residents practically out of Austin and into suburbs and even into the country. This something that really needs to be evaluated in Austin.
Hi! Thank you for giving this attention, as this is not something that is often discussed. The consequences of gentrification are very clear and there is no doubt that they can be harmful to families and children. You mentioned poverty, depression, and academic performance, which are all important aspects that should not be taken lightly. I really enjoyed your post and being opened up to this happening right here in Ohio.