How do you think gentrification has affected Seattle, Berlin and possibly your hometown, and how does it compare across these places? What connections do you make between gentrification and one or more of the themes of the program?
While gentrification can come in many shapes or forms, based off of my experiences in class, I have come to define gentrification as any urban development or urban practice that displaces a native group. This Seattle Times article regarding gentrification in Capitol Hill is one I read many months ago and that in particular hits home to me. According to this article, "in 2014 there were 35 reported bias incidents in the police precinct covering Capitol Hill — 11 more than the year before — and just after midnight on New Year’s Day 2014 an arsonist set fire to the gay nightclub Neighbours." Anthony Preciado is a gay man who was a victim of one of those 35 reported incidents (likely more that go unreported). Him and I have mutual friends, which is how I heard his story. He was assaulted this past December for his sexual orientation. Capitol Hill, and many other places in Seattle, especially Fremont, are quickly becoming diluted with a variety of groups who consequently "run out" the current inhabitants by exerting their power to make a hostile environment for these groups.
In the city of Portland (my hometown) gentrification has affected the city at an even more alarming rate. When I was growing up, Portland was filled with all sorts of strange people who weren't strange because in Portland being strange is being normal. In recent years, this "weirdness" has been capitalized on, in particular from shows like "Portlandia" and by individuals who have relocated to Portland. The phrase "Keep Portland Weird" is not one that any person actually from Portland would say. Now, instead of harboring the weird, Portland and the demographic who consider themselves weird no longer have
In a city like Berlin which is so easily accessible and diverse, gentrification likely blooms. The Wall is a prime example of this. Initially, Berliners wanted the Wall torn down for what it represented. But in later years, there was a push to commemorate the Wall, which begs the question did Germans who lived in Germany during this time of conflict actually later want to commemorate the Wall? Or was the flow of tourists and those not native to Germany enough to cause this shift in thought? This hearkens back to what kinds of indivudlas and groups is German identity actually inclusive of?
In the city of Portland (my hometown) gentrification has affected the city at an even more alarming rate. When I was growing up, Portland was filled with all sorts of strange people who weren't strange because in Portland being strange is being normal. In recent years, this "weirdness" has been capitalized on, in particular from shows like "Portlandia" and by individuals who have relocated to Portland. The phrase "Keep Portland Weird" is not one that any person actually from Portland would say. Now, instead of harboring the weird, Portland and the demographic who consider themselves weird no longer have
In a city like Berlin which is so easily accessible and diverse, gentrification likely blooms. The Wall is a prime example of this. Initially, Berliners wanted the Wall torn down for what it represented. But in later years, there was a push to commemorate the Wall, which begs the question did Germans who lived in Germany during this time of conflict actually later want to commemorate the Wall? Or was the flow of tourists and those not native to Germany enough to cause this shift in thought? This hearkens back to what kinds of indivudlas and groups is German identity actually inclusive of?