Gentrification is defined as, "the restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle class or affluent people, often resulting in the displacement of lower-income people." Sounds like that definition was custom made for my borough- Harlem. A simple stroll through the neighborhood and you can see evidence of it- from the Target and Costco center on the East River to luxury condos on Lenox and 8th Avenue, to shops along 116th where the fee for a manicure and pedicure will cost you upwards of $40.
By no means am I against the restoration or upliftment of my community but I do however question the task being made possible through displacement. I remember my peers and I looked lightly at the reality of people being moved out of our neighborhood and either displaced or made to squeeze into tighter quarters on the other side of the block. At that point in time we were ignorant to the terminology "gentrification" Now it has come back to haunt us as we are beginning to feel like the outsiders in our own neighborhood.
I was perusing the Amsterdam News today and saw mention of a protest that took place recently on the footsteps on Columbia University in. A display of anger towards the Manhattanville expansion Project which Columbia has underwent as a model of its gentrification efforts in Harlem; Promises were made of 6,000 jobs to be created as a show of good faith that the goal was not displacement rather true enhancement and restoration as the definition attests to. Thus far it has not happened and the residents are not happy, and rightfully so.
Coalition to Preserve Community front person Carolyn Birden says, " I've been fighting Columbia for several years on this issue concerning Manhattanville. They are taking over 17 acres that invlove alot of businesses and a lot of homes. They are planning to put in something very dangerous, a biolab. Most cities force level three labs outside of the city." (Amsterdam News January 6-12, 2011 edition, pg. 6)
Level three labs are the 3rd highest out of 4 safetly levels. These facilities are used to house biomedical agents that can be lethal if exposed to the community. Construction of the facility makes Columbia eligible for federal grants and funding for biodefense.
All of this is on the horizon, but where are the jobs? Statistics show that to date Columbia has hired 900 local residents for a wealth of different positions from professional to administrative. Be that as it may the understanding was for 6,000; 900 falls well short of that objective.
My issue today is one of safety as well of that of a person who is directly affected by displacement. Pride was once taken in living in a neighborhood which felt like home; something that was ours. Restoration and upgrading is wonderful and definitely necessary, but is the price of identity worth it? Ignorance is no longer an excuse and unless we pay attention to gentrification among other things, we will slowly be working in reverse- with no one to blame but ourselves. If we do not fight for involvement, before you know it we will be picketing again in fear of taxation without representation.
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