Evgenia Gorovaya
Peopling of NYC
Professor Bonastia
3/17/14
Contextualizer Role
In Chapter 6 of Helmreich’s The New York Nobody Knows, he discusses the issue of gentrification. He talks about whether gentrification is indeed an issue or a boon. He seems a little biased towards the latter, as he references people like Lance Freeman, Ingrid Gould Ellen, and establishments such as the Furman Center, and only offhandedly mentions that not everyone agrees that the poor isn’t being displaced by gentrifiers. However, I digress. I looked up the history and etymology of the word gentrification, and I found that gentrification is derived from “gentry,” meaning superiority of birth or rank. Gentry comes from the Anglo-Norman French word gentil, which derives from the Latin word “gens,” meaning Roman clan. I think it is very much possible that the meaning of the word used to be simply a changing of cultural and influences on an area by changing the types of people there. Within this chapter, gentrification is particularly talked about as wealthier people moving into a poor neighborhood, making it safer, and bringing along pricey cafes and shops. It was interesting to see how the word’s meaning changed over time.
In Tony Fletcher’s All Hopped Up and Ready to Go, his chapter 12 talked about the history of the Lower East Side. He discussed the music, the drugs, the activism, and the youth culture. Frequenting and working in the Lower East Side, it’s interesting to see that not much has changed. It’s considerably safer, of course, and the drugs are not as widespread, but they’re still a strong presence in the housing projects of Alphabet City. The neighborhood has a strong sense of community and is passionate about protecting and preserving their public spaces, such as their community gardens. Many devote countless hours of the week for their beloved Lower East Side in environmental activism, such as promoting biking, and keeping community gardens alive. Fletcher’s Chapter 13 discussed the emergence and struggles of the gay nightlife scene in NYC. I was shocked at how unaccepting this city was towards the gay community, especially since New York is known for its tolerance of everyone. It was surprising to read about covert gay bars while hanging out in Chelsea, where there are gay bars on almost every block. It’s not only interesting, but it’s also important to know the history of our city and that which it has seen. Thankfully, the city has come a long way.
Leave a Reply