The first overt gentrification protocol put in place in NYC was Seneca (Senegal) Village. Hang on, there is a suggested solution at the end of this post.
Seneca Village aka Central Park is a perfect example, that is not as well known as Tulsa or Freetown, of the early marginalization of people of color that lead to Jim Crow in the early 19th century and 'redlining' in the 20th century.. The same type of divestment of property and land that happened to the indigenous Turtle Islanders happened to 'Black' people because many of us ARE indigenous Turtle Islanders. In fact many of these towns, villages and settlements were a peaceful mixture of indigenous, descendants of Africans and a few Irish and/or German folks.
'Gentrification' is the 21st century version of this historical economic exclusion. And 'White', middle class individuals and families participate by taking advantage of the cheaper rents in historically minority neighborhoods. So when 'White' people say they have never participated in anything that oppresses or marginalizes people. You may want to reconsider the subtleties of how those things actually take place. "Well, it's not my fault; that's the way things are. What can I do?" YES: it is YOUR fault. One must take personal responsibility in this Life. Isn't that what 'White' folks are ALWAYS saying? So what you can do is make sure you know all of the laws involved in acquiring your apartment or property. Such as here in Harlem, you are supposed to be presented with two years worth of Con Edison bills and a history of the rent when the property is Rent Regulated or Rent Controlled. A absence of, or reluctance on the part of the landlord/management to produce, these documents could mean the previous tenant was not taken to housing court and evicted legally. In the case of property, especially HUD reclaimed or tax acquired make sure there were no liens - and if so make sure the correct legal motions were made in regard to the previous owner being given fair opportunity to rectify or settle the dispute. If you do not take the steps to be a informed consumer you could be unwittingly partaking in stealing the apartment away from someone who is supposed to inherit it. Or screwing a older or disabled person out of a rent regulated apartment. Landlords play court games with poor/working class tenants all the time so they can get market rent from someone more affluent.
Be responsible, be informed, do not just jump on it without considering the implications beyond you and your insulated Life. We all effect one another whether we want to accept it or not. You want to truly stop gentrification? That's how you do it. If not then be honest and face the fact that you are part of the problem too and are not truly concerned about the rights of others. That's fine. Just please cease making judgments and racist assumptions about "what's wrong with people of color" anymore.
Guest Post: 'Seneca Village Memory: The Problem of Forgetting'
https://earlyamericanists.com/2014/07/28/seneca-village-memory-the-problem-of-forgetting/
#housingdiscrimination #affordablehousing #HUD #Communitydevelopment #gentrification #realestate #apartments #centralpark #senecavillage #nycgov
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