Scoops – tons of people going in and out of this new ice cream shop in Highland Park with millions of flavors. Just down the street there is a family getting evicted from their home. Gentrification is happening all around us. Just look around.
The pros are for wealthy high class second and third time buyers. Look around Highland Park, there are new parks and activities. Walking down York Boulevard looks so different. We recently got a new park named York Park, it is a lot newer than Cleland Park! But that’s only one side. There’s a whole other side.
My name is Becky, Sally, Nate, or Jim, and I’ve lived here for 40, 50, 60, or 80 years. I’m a renter with 7 kids. I work at Super A Foods. I’m struggling to pay the rent. I live with 5 brothers, I get to sleep on the couch but I only get a small old blanket. I’m cold.
I think it’s hard to realize this side for people who have lived here for years but can’t afford to live here any more.
You’re probably wondering where else this is happening. Other places around the country such as Oakland and New York are also experiencing gentrification.. A report by Mike Maciag shows in New York 128 neighborhoods are gentrified. In Oakland 29.3% of neighborhoods have gentrified and 15.1% of Los Angeles neighborhoods. In Santa Monica and Venice there are lots of new fancy restaurants and coffee shops like Antigua Coffee House. This was a rundown neighborhood ice cream shop that was renovated during this round of gentrification. There are also many art galleries which give local artists a chance to show their work.
In Boyle Heights there are many markets like OK Market, an old carneceria which can no longer afford to stay in business. The owners were evicted and forced to close down after many years in the neighborhood. A helpful organization “Union de Vecinos” has been helping these business owners, but they cannot save every business and slowly the neighborhoods of Boyle Heights lose more and more of their local commerce. In their place new restaurants and shops will open as housing continues to develop in the area. There is an ongoing project to turn an old vacant Sears lot into more than 1000 housing units.
Research shows that gentrification is harder on renters than it is on home owners. It is an example of the “rich getting richer.” Which can cause problems in our society. I believe that people should be treated equally and feel sorry for those that are not able to afford the improvements that I enjoy in my neighborhood.
We need to be mindful that although these new buildings and places are amazing, we have to remember the other side. I am conflicted myself on what side I am on. I love many of the new restaurants and shops in my neighborhood, but feel sorry for people that cannot afford to stay in business or lose their homes.
Olivia is a perceptive young writer growing up in Los Angeles.