For a few years now, predominantly African-American and Latino communities have faced growing gentrification pressures. Getting good information about gentrification can be difficult. In some ways the phenomena is a lot like beauty; it’s in the eye of the beholder. So interested persons need to read widely and carefully before forming hard opinions. And any insistence on reducing the issue to one factor (only race, only class, etc.) is bound to be frustrated with conflicting data.
A sister in our church forward a link to a podcast dedicated to thinking through and examining gentrification called, “There Goes the Neighborhood.” Here’s the show description from the website:
A podcast about how LA has gone from the place to chase your dreams to one of the least affordable cities in the country. Housing prices are soaring, developers and landlords see opportunity, and many longtime Angelenos are getting squeezed out. Is there a place for you here? Get the podcast to hear about how gentrification is playing out in Los Angeles, and share your stories about housing and gentrification in the There Goes the Neighborhood: LA Facebook group. There Goes the Neighborhood: Los Angeles is produced by KCRW and WNYC Studios.
You can find shows for season one and two at the website. Give it a listen and let us know what you think.
