Gentrification (noun): the art of converting an aging neighborhood into a more affluent one, as by remodeling homes; raising to a higher status.
I was listening to WBOK 1230 AM's "The Good Life" on January 16 with Oliver Thomas. The topic was about gentrification in the New Orleans area and what could be done within the community to combat it. Mr. Thomas brought up a conversation he had with his brother about the ninth (9th) ward home they had grown up in as children. He made some interesting points. A lot of us go off to college or to find better work in other areas, sometimes forgetting what is left at home. Some people call those who go off to college and don't return "brain drain." There was a time (and, to an extent, still does) where, when a minority moved into a white area "white flight" began. Suburbs were made. When you have a major flux of a group move out of an area, whether it's brain drain, white flight, or whatever it may be called, and no one is left to fight for better (financial or otherwise) education, or tools to grow, areas tend to be affected. Large or corporate businesses leave, small businesses that do remain may not receive the support they need. Some neighborhoods fall apart.
Others with no ties to the community may come in, see potential, buy property, and encourage others to buy up land and property. Next thing you know, established residents and businesses are forced out to attract those with higher income, those who, at some point, were suburbanites that now wish to be closer to town and have better options.
But what happens to those who want to come back, and come back to a different neighborhood? One that is culturally different, where the vibe is different, as well as the faces from what they are familiar with? And what happens to those who are forced out in the name of progress and modernization?
Mr. Thomas stated that, during the conversation with his brother, his brother asked, "What would it be like had we stayed?" That's a powerful thought. What would it look like if everyone, especially those who are degreed and/or financially well-off, stayed instead of building newer houses in the suburbs, or move to the more major cities? What would it be like if, like those who only see dollar signs in our communities, saw the value in their (old) neighborhoods instead of seeing it as being behind on everything? What if we were to place a vision on our diamonds in the rough?
What would it look like if we acted on that vision?
I would like to think that more people would foster the "each one, teach one" philosophy. Even before I received any degree, I wanted to better neighborhoods in New Orleans, especially in the Gentilly, New Orleans East, 9th ward, and Broad section of Mid-City areas. I have loved the idea of historic and cultural preservation and becoming a curator for the longest. I love the pride people take in their communities even when their community isn't what others consider top of the line. Imagine the pride they'd feel if their communities had more fresh markets and full-service grocery stores than corner stores and liquor stores? Imagine if they had more small businesses and banks than cash checking facilities and prisons? Imagine if their school buildings were beyond "up to par." There are so many buildings that can become recreation centers, community stores or libraries that can be made with some buildings.
Do I have any idea how to get in to the field with the tools I have? Not exactly. But, I know I want to work with people in the community to make the ideas of collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, unity, creativity and purpose a reality.
And, don't get me wrong. I'm all for developing older neighborhoods and making it better for the people living in them. I've made that known several times. But, I'm also pro-culture: keeping the established vibe of that neighborhood intact: neighbors getting together for picnics, kids being able to ride their bikes late or play hopscotch, Ms. So and So selling frozen cups and other treats. How many times have I gone to some New Orleans neighborhoods and felt the difference of an area because chain businesses or out-of-state people have moved in to an area and changed the dynamics of an area, all in the name of money or "I know what's better?"
What scares me about New Orleans right now is that it's not the same as it was before Katrina. To me, it seems like the need for it to become more tourist-attractive is spilling into areas that were not traditionally tourist areas. Meanwhile, rent and home prices are ridiculous...not as ridiculous as it was right after Katrina, but ridiculous. It wouldn't be so bad if the jobs-to-wages-to-cost-of-living ratio were better. I have friends with counseling degrees that are afraid of moving back to the area because of the fear of not having a living wage to rent or buy a home and still be able to survive. And some neighborhoods seem quieter now than they did pre-Katrina. I'm used to seeing school kids around my house. I don't see as many anymore. I miss going past Kennedy High and seeing people; I miss going down Hayne, Morrison or even St. Bernard Avenue and seeing action. I miss running in to people uptown and starting conversation.
I miss the old projects and going to Charity Hospital. I appreciate the new buildings up for the projects, and newer hospitals, but I still believe that these infrastructures could have stayed in place and just been renovated. I feel that, by tearing them down and/or refusing to reopen the old Charity Hospital, the dynamics of the city has changed. A Diaspora of sorts has been created in the city, causing a more negative impact on the poor and minorities. To me, as I'm sure for many others, the city feels stripped.
Something has to give, though.
What's my vision for New Orleans? I'd love the community come together and decide for themselves what's best for their community. I'd like to see elected officials, especially at the local and state levels, support the citizens they represent in bettering communities, whether it's funding for schools, forums that help enhance (tax breaks or incentives for new small businesses to an area, or parks and community gardens). I'd love to see churches become more actively engaged during the week with citizens, too.
I am also up for community activism to take root. Helping neighbors move back to New Orleans. Fair and affordable housing practices. Equal access to real estate, and/or the opportunity to finance said real estate. Finding ways to fund initiatives that will help update homes, lots, buildings and schools, start job training and small businesses, arts and health programs, and community gardens. Financial education. A part of me wants to find ways to promote the beauty and uniqueness of areas outside of the French Quarter and certain parts of uptown without exploiting them.
People need something to believe in, and for someone to believe in them. They can have the vision, but, sometimes, it takes a village within the village to help them spell and draw out that vision. Everyone wants a vibrant and successful area, but there is no one definition of success that will fit every area: the lower ninth ward has a different vibe from Gentilly, and Gentilly's different from even the Lakefront/Lakeview area. When you're in these areas and they're in their element (especially if you grew up in New Orleans), it all makes sense.
All in all, I'm not going to knock the idea of gentrification, per se. I'm all for progress and fresh ideas and new people coming to New Orleans. But, I don't like the idea of outside forces tearing up a community solely for their benefits, with no input from, or consideration for, the residents in that area - if that makes sense. Yes, there's opportunity to make business decisions that would be mutually beneficial to all involved, but, I would love to see successful (small local) businesses, banks, churches, and the community itself come together and reach each other first.
In the name of making an area more affluent, start by educating, empowering, and leading the people in the area of what steps they can take to make it affluent and their own. Each community should be able to tell its story in its own way, and every story has room to grow gracefully in its skin. "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
Think about it.
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