It seems that a reoccurring theme in many of our class readings and discussions has been the exploration of how individual factors, such as social bias against the “other” as exemplified in “white flight”, can join together to create a system that is biased on so many levels that it becomes an institutionalized system of selective oppression. That is, there are often commercial/economic motives involved in decisions made by the government (98), which is also influenced by social biases. These social biases are then reinforced by government and business policy, connecting the loop right back to the beginning of the vicious cycle that is “urban renewal”.
Fullilove is careful to note the pattern of American domination and marginalization of minorities and groups with less money or power, beginning with the Native Americans that were driven into reserves (57-59) to the early 2000s. As long as major businesses are making a profit,as long as the politicians make policies that will win them public support, people groups that are disadvantaged or have less power, privilege, and/or opportunity have little to no say in shaping any policies. Even as supportive, friendly urban communities were built in the face of pressure and discrimination, they were torn down to make way for luxury shops and art museums.
The thing is, when artists begin to attract wealthier people to the area, they can no longer afford to live in their own neighborhood. This is not limited to the 1960s or even the early 21st century; urban renewal has changed form to become gentrification, and it is happening now, here in Brooklyn. Art is not confined to framed canvases, and even the graffiti artists can no longer afford to live in the same neighborhoods. And artists getting kicked out is the least of it, as gentrification that is once again large-scale and supported by the political and commercial industries that are interested in gaining wealthy citizens and “beautifying” certain urban areas. These are the policies of gentrification that affect minorities and poorer populations with less political and social influence and opportunity.
Two recent documentaries explore the themes of gentrification and the history of urban renewal in Brooklyn, as well as the negative impact these policies and beliefs have on communities of local artists. In 2013, it was the gentrification of Williamsburg that affected, along with blacks and hispanics/latin@s, artist communities that filmmaker Sue Friedrich explored (and expressed anger towards) in her film Gut Renovation. Then, later in the year, director Kelly Anderson’s film My Brooklyn was released, taking a close look at housing discrimination and racially biased projects and connecting it to the history of urban renewal in the mid 20th century. Once again, many factors, biases, and influences have come together to, essentially, make the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. And once again, racial policies and their long-lasting negative effects have not disappeared, they have merely changed names and changed forms. Equality could be achieved if society was willing to accept minorities, aid the disadvantaged, and whistle-blow any biased policies that were noticed and acknowledged.
And recently, even Spike Lee has something to say about gentrification. (0:00-3:55)
