In the readings from There Goes the ‘Hood: Views of Gentrification from the Ground Up, there were many lingering questions that I began to consider in the context of my own neighborhood. In my understanding and experience with gentrification in my neighborhood, subtle changes are noticeable. There is this aspect of familiarity that becomes disturbed when new residents enter a neighborhood. It was when I saw an increase in white people roaming the area that made me question what was going on in East Harlem. Although I noticed this change, I did not notice an entirely new social scene take place. I still saw the same people out playing dominoes, saw my same neighbors every day, and interacted with the same friends. However, the affected familiarity and change still altered aspects of the social and cultural neighborhood.

The reading raised an important point about how the changes in service are affected by the new residents. The reading mentioned instances of the police and how their influence changed depending on who requested the change. In class, another expert question mentioned if there would be a difference between an upper-class black vs. upper-class white gentrifying a neighborhood. While class matters, race holds a vital piece to the puzzle of gentrification. If more police influence were requested in a neighborhood, it would most likely be upheld due to a white resident’s request in comparison to a black resident. Even the usual residents who hang out on the corner are ostracized due to a new resident speaking against something a longtime resident may have been doing for years. The agency to make change becomes vital and will usually fall into the lap of someone that has the privilege to make that change, whether it is subtle or major. From reading these instances, I thought deeply about the changes in my own neighborhood. While I used to think the pop-up café shop or the new store was a cool touch, they actually have a negative effect. A deli that I have been going to for years had to be closed down due to a new store owned by a white resident opening up a block away. These bars and restaurants that open up bring in a new wave of people that interact only with the neighborhood and its gentrified portions.

Another question I asked myself is if gentrification only exists in residents moving in. A new bar opening up that is for wealthier individuals in the surrounding area may bring in white incomers who eventually may want to live in the area due to the amenities. Gentrification doesn’t have to necessarily be a new resident but rather a new consumer to the social amenities in the area. Even the presence of white people that may not live in the area become apparent signs of gentrification. Amenities play a huge role in influencing residents. Even the conception of a neighborhood as “edgy” or “cool” can influence new incomers. I think it would be interesting taking a study that looks solely into why the gentry chooses to live in a specific neighborhood and what factors they look at. While the reading did incorporate the gentry, it would be interesting to understand why these individuals choose specific neighborhoods, surpassing the desire for cheaper rent.