Comments on: A Starbucks Here, A Starbucks There http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/2008/04/21/a-starbucks-here-a-starbucks-there/ Washington City Paper's Music Blog. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:37:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Washington City Paper: Black Plastic Bag - Beat Grinder! http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/2008/04/21/a-starbucks-here-a-starbucks-there/#comment-10847 Washington City Paper: Black Plastic Bag - Beat Grinder! Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:56:12 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/2008/04/21/a-starbucks-here-a-starbucks-there/#comment-10847 [...] three-round event will be hosted by Grap Luva and will feature performances by locals Kokayi and Oddisee. Damu and Underdog will be holding down the turntables all night long—so expect to hear the [...] [...] three-round event will be hosted by Grap Luva and will feature performances by locals Kokayi and Oddisee. Damu and Underdog will be holding down the turntables all night long—so expect to hear the [...]

]]> By: thesimulacra http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/2008/04/21/a-starbucks-here-a-starbucks-there/#comment-3173 thesimulacra Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:40:16 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/2008/04/21/a-starbucks-here-a-starbucks-there/#comment-3173 I sympathize with people who are getting forced out by gentrification, but c'mon, seriously, when it comes to the problems of the city, for a lot of people the city IS the problem. Complain about "urban decay" all you want, but the problem isn't that "college students" are guilty of tossing out "history", it's that the people who have been there have been forgotten by society for too long. I think anyone would much rather live in a neighborhood where the only drug being sold on the street was the caffeine in a cup of Starbucks, even if it isn't exactly an emblem of deep cultural evolution. There's nothing wrong with people seeing an opportunity to turn a blighted area into a profitable neighborhood by investing in the property. There's nothing wrong with people opening up new businesses in neighborhoods where the only thing open before was the corner liquor store. And there's nothing wrong with people who want to work and live in this city looking for a place to live that doesn't cost $2500/month. The beef here shouldn't be with the people who are just trying to make the best of things themselves, but rather the city that's allowed those who suffer from gentrification to be made so vulnerable in the first place. I live in a "gentrified" neighborhood. My roommate and our friends have been assaulted by local kids telling us to "get out of the ghetto", throwing rocks at us and our cars and apartments. Engendering anger and distrust towards people who are only trying to save a little money on rent each month is going to get us nowhere. I sympathize with people who are getting forced out by gentrification, but c’mon, seriously, when it comes to the problems of the city, for a lot of people the city IS the problem. Complain about “urban decay” all you want, but the problem isn’t that “college students” are guilty of tossing out “history”, it’s that the people who have been there have been forgotten by society for too long. I think anyone would much rather live in a neighborhood where the only drug being sold on the street was the caffeine in a cup of Starbucks, even if it isn’t exactly an emblem of deep cultural evolution.

There’s nothing wrong with people seeing an opportunity to turn a blighted area into a profitable neighborhood by investing in the property. There’s nothing wrong with people opening up new businesses in neighborhoods where the only thing open before was the corner liquor store. And there’s nothing wrong with people who want to work and live in this city looking for a place to live that doesn’t cost $2500/month.

The beef here shouldn’t be with the people who are just trying to make the best of things themselves, but rather the city that’s allowed those who suffer from gentrification to be made so vulnerable in the first place.

I live in a “gentrified” neighborhood. My roommate and our friends have been assaulted by local kids telling us to “get out of the ghetto”, throwing rocks at us and our cars and apartments. Engendering anger and distrust towards people who are only trying to save a little money on rent each month is going to get us nowhere.

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