Racism plays a fundamental role in the gentrification process, but I think in the opposite way you are thinking of. The 1st comment on the article above puts it nicely: todays whites are less racist, they are more willing/ think it's normal to live around black people or other ppl of color.
One of the many factors that depresses and as been depressing property values in black neighborhoods is racism. Black neighborhoods are perceived by both whites and blacks as "worse" than white neighborhoods with similar income levels and similar crime rates. As people get less racist, their perceptions of working class black neighborhoods improve. Property values can rise, people can start to feel like opening a business is a good idea etc.
Let's remember how the black ghettos in American cities were created in the first place: blacks moved into working class white neighborhoods in the 40s, 50s, 60s. The racist whites on the one hand wanted to get away from their new neighbors, and on the other hand had access to easy credit to buy brand new houses in the suburbs. So they fled. The sudden mass sell offs tanked property values, leaving the remaining black homeowners owners of newly depreciated assets. 
If we could go back in time, and be magicians, would we say, "hey whites, don't be racist and leave! Hey government, don't build a bunch of sprawl!" We would prevent the creation of the ghettos we now have: neighborhoods characterized by LACK of diversity, under-maintained buildings and a lack of businesses. Instead we would have neighborhoods with many races, many business, no abandoned houses, and houses well maintained because property values are steady.

That is what a neighborhood looks like in the absence of racism, and that is what neighborhoods formerly decimated by racism are starting to look like, now that we're a few generations beyond Jim Crow. Ironically, progressives are somehow heartbroken by these results of the decline of racism, instead of seeing a long awaited correction, it looks like a new injustice.



On Sun, May 11, 2014 at 3:16 PM, Sam Tepper <sam.tepper@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the link, Ryan.  I don't think people doubt that gentrification has its upsides - that's why it's so sought after for so many people - but there are two main downsides, I'd say, that are against the values we generally try to hold at Sudo Room.

1.  Gentrification and its benefits target white middle-class families.  Even if many or most original residents who stay are financially better off, those who are left are far less diverse, and racism plays a fundamental role in the gentrification process.

2.  Gentrified neighborhoods are generally home to fewer artists, immigrants, and even aspiring hackers because these people can frequently be poor to the point of destitution, even when their skill level is high.

We do need to address the positives in order to have a dialog, to educate and address the problems behind most gentrification efforts, and try to increase financial health and stability in more positive, socially responsible ways.

-Sam


On 05/11/2014 02:38 PM, Ryan Bethencourt wrote:
I'm intrigued by this discussion, what's seemed odd to me for a while is that the conversation seems to be very one sided, i.e. all gentrification is bad, yet what about if it isn't? What if a rising tide lifts all boats?

I came across an article a while back that was published on NPR (not known for being biased one way or the other) which discussed the data which actually tended to support the positive aspects of gentrification for residents of poorer neighborhoods. It's worth a read:

"We're finding that the financial health of original residents in gentrifying neighborhoods seems to be increasing, as compared to original residents in nongentrifying, low-priced neighborhoods," says Daniel Hartley, a research economist with the bank."
http://www.npr.org/2014/01/22/264528139/long-a-dirty-word-gentrification-may-be-losing-its-stigma

I would also make the argument that spaces like Sudo Room, Public Schools, LOL space, Counter Culture labs and etc actually make a net positive impact for the entire community and yet do have a gentrifying effect. We have much work yet to do but communal spaces, open education and the maker movement have the potential to empower many communities and I say that as someone that hopes to do more to help lift others up, I think most of us are of the same mindset?

Upwards and Onwards!
Ryan

May 11, 2014 at 10:43 AM
Quick point - you guys know that it was the housing market crash (sudden DECREASE in home values) that set off waves of foreclosures, right?

In other words, suppose you're in one of these loans. You realized what is about to happen to you ("FUCK! I can't afford the mortgage after reset!) let's look at two scenereos: 

Scenereo one: the value of your house has increased since you purchased it two years ago. The house is worth more than you owe on it, and there are many buyers interested in buying homes like yours in your area. 

Scenereo two: the value of your home has decreased since you purchased it two years ago. The house is worth less than you owe on it, and there are very few people interested in buying homes like yours in your area. 

Which scenero is better for you? What do you do in each scenereo? 


On Sunday, May 11, 2014, Autonomous <autonomous666@gmail.com> wrote:
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May 11, 2014 at 9:56 AM
>Oakland gentrification is very well planned & executed

Indeed. It is particularly reprehensible that specific neighborhoods in Oakland were targeted for predatory loans and fraudulent foreclosures. The attached image shows foreclosures in Oakland represented by small dots which is overlaid onto demographic data showing non-white neighborhoods in red and white neighborhoods in blue. See a pattern here? This is a form of economic warfare targeted against people of color who have lost a massive amount of wealth while investors have moved in to profit from the resulting increase in real estate values.

The scam involves a loan with very low interest for a period of two years followed by a dramatic increase in interest. When people ask for a loan modification, they are told they need to miss a payment in order to qualify - it's in the servicing contract. Then, upon missing one payment, the bank refuses to accept any more payments by giving the run-around and the home is subsequently foreclosed upon. If that wasn't enough, people are forcibly removed from their homes by illegal eviction proceedings. Typically the unfortunate former homeowner only learns about the eviction when the police show up to kick them out on the street along with all their possessions. This is because they aren't served properly and have no idea a court action even existed. This pattern was repeated over and over in Oakland, as you can see in the attached image.

Inline image 2



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May 10, 2014 at 7:33 PM
On Sat, May 10, 2014 at 7:29 PM, <batkid@gmx.com> wrote:
Don't worry, Oakland won't become the East Hamptons anytime soon

http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25737160/oakland-man-shot-driving-truck-near-courthouse
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25732368/jurors-convict-man-murdering-two-west-oakland-neighborhood
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25731273/oakland-man-dies-from-injuries-from-downtown-fight

Oh good - I was getting worried about having too many museum shows and cat video festivals in the neighborhood...

Patrik 

-----Original message-----
Sent: Saturday, 10 May 2014 at 21:30:39
From: "Romy Snowyla" <romy@snowyla.com>
To: "Sudo Room Discussion List" <sudo-discuss@lists.sudoroom.org>
Subject: [sudo-discuss] Oakland gentrification is very well planned & executed
The museum shows, the cat festival.. I guess we are all part of the master plan : P
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May 10, 2014 at 7:29 PM
Don't worry, Oakland won't become the East Hamptons anytime soon

http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25737160/oakland-man-shot-driving-truck-near-courthouse
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25732368/jurors-convict-man-murdering-two-west-oakland-neighborhood
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25731273/oakland-man-dies-from-injuries-from-downtown-fight

-----Original message-----
Sent: Saturday, 10 May 2014 at 21:30:39
From: "Romy Snowyla" <romy@snowyla.com>
To: "Sudo Room Discussion List" <sudo-discuss@lists.sudoroom.org>
Subject: [sudo-discuss] Oakland gentrification is very well planned & executed
The museum shows, the cat festival.. I guess we are all part of the master plan : P
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--
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Ryan Bethencourt

Tel: (415) 825 2705
ryan.bethencourt@gmail.com
@ryanbethencourt


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