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Class 12 – Income Segregation // Sheena Chin
March 9, 2015 | Leave a Comment
Regarding zoning based on income segregation in New York City, I have to say that I agree the most with what Ed Glaeser from the Daily News. With that being said, I agree that income disparity in New York City is what makes New York City the way it is today, and that these ranges of income give New York City its reputation. Before I dive right in, let me explain why I agree or disagree with the other articles.
In the first article by Emily Jane Fox of CNN Money, she informs readers of the Manhattan’s “Tale of Two Cities,” of which I thought was while very interesting to read, but also the kind of thing you shrug off because that’s just the way life is. In her expose (?) of sorts, Emily writes a sad tale of how the lower income residents of a particularly classy Manhattan building are being discriminated because they have to enter through a “poor door” or more specifically, a separate entrance from the rest of the high income residents who can actually afford a gym, a playroom, or visitation to the roof decks. I don’t know if it is my ignorance that I’m missing the point of her article, but from my perspective, you get what you pay for. I realize lower income New Yorkers may wish to live among the richer, which as I may point out is entirely the point of “segregated” Manhattan condos, you just can’t expect to be allowed access to fancier amenities if you can’t afford it. Besides, the Glaeser article pointed out that New York’s public transportation is the solution to everything. Maybe if you feel humiliated or victimized by New York’s income disparity since it forces you to enter through the poor door, try living in Queens or another borough because commute by public transportation will get you where you need to be.
Another thing I want to say about that article by Emily is her comment on how the condominiums in New York City that allow resident of both high and low income alike are in reality “separate but equal.” Pause. Did this woman really compare a top tier Manhattan condominium to the Jim Crow Laws from the early 1960s regarding race segregation? Yes she did. Let me tell you all why this is so wrong: you just can’t say that people who live in the same building are coined “separate but equal” if some can access fancier amenities when others are restricted because those who can HAVE THE MEANS TO. These two categories of residents are not restricted because of their skin color, or by gender, but by MEANS. You just can’t give away free oranges to people when you have others paying good money for them. Needless to say, I totally disagreed with Emily’s article.
In another article by the UChicago student in the Washington Post, I have to say that his perspective on zoning do provide good points, but they would not apply to New York City. His overall attitude towards the wealthier Americans was one of disgust as he blames the “well to do” “yuppies” for their cafes and “$4 toast” where residential housings for lower income citizens could be built. I thought his attitude was totally unfair and unjustified because why should the wealthier Americans be cast as the bad guy and be blamed for being able to live in the center of luxury that unintentionally created an exclusivity in zoning? I believe that this sentiment is especially unfair in New York City as there is an equal opportunity if the issue comes down to job or career opportunities made efficiently by subways and public transportation.
Now, let me tell you all why I agree the most with Glaeser’s article. Right off the bat, Glaeser points out that New York City, scratch that, Manhattan is the most unequal county in all of the United States. In his best argument in my opinion, Glaeser states that while Manhattan may have the most extraordinary income statistics, it reflects on New York City’s extraordinary reputation for the city with the most accessible public mass transportation, largest hyper-dense immigrant communities, and broadest social services. These are the characteristics that make New York City so unique and gives it its reputation, which is why I believe that income inequality is not an evil, but more of a necessary evil.
