Gentrified: No Middle Ground for the Middle Class
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photo from Washington City Paper
Note: The following is based on experience. If you disagree with anything said, I encourage you to make your opposition known. I will debate anyone until proven wrong. -Sonya Wins
DC is making progress in becoming a world class city. Tech is booming, foodies and celebrity chefs are in abundance, and there’s plenty of local booze to wash all that down while posting food pics on IG. I have contributed to many of the businesses borne from the aforementioned industries, but despite my fiscal support, my feelings continue to grow dark. As a proponent of the regional culture and the conducive commingling of cultures, I find that a different perspective on gentrification is necessary.
No Middle Ground. There’s no middle ground in the image of gentrification in DC. There are only two omnipresent images and that has led to simplistic racial and social offerings in the majority of neighborhoods in which the socioeconomic changes are occurring. Those racial images are “Black” and “White”, and the social images are hood and craft beers, dog parks, and all-bacon everything. We have long time residents who may or may not own their homes living next door to many newcomers who more than likely own their residences.
The HPOCs. Mixed into DC’s developing canvass you’ll find the “hip people of color (HPOC)” who can afford to buy the properties in these gentrifying/gentrified neighborhoods. The home owning majority dictate the nature of the neighborhood they live in until forces more powerful than their votes and presence at community meetings deem otherwise. You’ll find plenty of HPOCs in Columbia Heights, Bloomingdale, Brookland, H Street NE, Petworth, and even Trinidad, however, the majority of them live in group housing. We (yes, I am a part of this group) add the flavor and fashion to many of DC’s dining spots and watering holes. We are more style averse and have every piece of technology our conservative counterparts own.The incomes earned by most in this group life, complete with access to coffee shops, bars, thrift stores and at the maximum, mid-range priced restaurants all via Metro and Uber are not such that they can fight the force of gentrification alone (hints the reason we live in group housing).
Be Transient or Non-Existent. Here lies the problem HPOCs face – It’s either move from house to house every 1-2 years seeking the most house for the lowest price with the most tolerable landlord in order to maintain this lifestyle – Or give up these lifestyles for more modest ones in order to work towards home ownership. Under current socioeconomic conditions HPOC Homeownership is wishful thinking, a pipe dream sold by contractors and pop culture. Why do I stress the ability to buy property? How many transient homeowners do you know? As a result of gentrification HPOCs are nomads.
Frustration. I am experiencing a frustration fueled by constantly having to keep one foot planted in both of these social environments in order to find balance. I’ve made great friends and worthy acquaintances by walking on either side of the line. I now realize, however, that the hood is suffering because they miss out on opportunities to become “cultured.” The transplants remain aloof to what a city with soul looks because DC is filling with redundant superfluous commercial establishments. Where’s the diversity?
