I have this really incredible neighbor whom I absolutely love! She makes me think, and ponder life in ways I haven't had the privilege to in years.... Thank you Carrissa for stretching my thoughts and for being a living breathing example of God's version of a neighbor to me and my family. We live an a rather adventurous part of Edmonton, her and I.... Carrissa is wrting an article on "gentrification". She asked some of us from the area to give her our thoughts on the issue, so after asking her for a lovely little definition, here's what came to mind:
I'm going to do my best to give you my thoughts, as scattered as they may be, on this issue. Please keep in mind that honestly, I haven't thought about it, either in it's complexity or quite frankly very much at all, in.... well I don't care to count the years since I last found myself sitting in Sociology. But you've awakened in me, the girl who loved to sit and ponder this stuff! I think that's one of the reasons I'm excited to count you as a new friend!
Gentrification:
One of the things that troubles me when considering this issue, is that there seems to be a real "us" and "them" mentality. So the question is, on which side the the scale do I find myself?
As someone who has seen my own share of challenges in the financial department in the last few years, I have to tell you, I see a real value in walking through life with Strength in the financial department. I don't like the idea of limitting the market, or even pondering the question: "Should I be fixing up my back yard even though it may feed the market, bring higher property values, and displace the poor? I honestly have never even considered it. Should I? Honestly, the whole concept seems very backwards to me, but maybe I need some more education.
My thinking has always come at things from the opposite extreme: I've always thought that it was my responsibility to make sure I took the best care possible of my environment. (don't judge this by my yard! Oh how the mighty have fallen, in my expectation department!) I've never considered how pouring Beauty and Care into my environment could actually harm my neighbours if they didn't happen to be the most advantaged ones. Infact, in the book: "The Tipping Point" by Malcom Gladwell, the author discusses how the entire crime rate of New York City fell dramatically as a result of a huge Community Clean Up on the Subways and inner city Neighbourhoods. When the appearance of things looks like no one cares, frustration, despair, and disallusionment settles in on residents. He says that when we start to take initiative, clean up graffiti, fix the broken windows, and not allow a general state of disrepair, we take back our streets!
But then, maybe someone on the other side of this discussion would ask: is that the goal?
Our eyes are a gate to our souls. What do we allow them to see day in and day out? Disrepair? If we go to an extreme in this issue, and choose to take a stand against developement and property value increases through neglecting any improvements, exactly what message are we sending out about our expectations, hopes and dreams? Honestly, sometimes I really struggle with what I have to see when I walk through our neighbourhood. These are the things that run through my head. But closing my eyes, or moving away, doesn't make the derilect building or despair go away. Ane even over the short time I've been here, the air has changed so much! Thanks to community efforts of others, we can all enjoy the talents of so many from right here! There is so much talent in this little community, and I am so thankful for how it is beginning to be celebrated! I won't despise the day of small beginnings. There's a part of me that feels the energy of this place. I can almost feel the change that's coming... and I for one, am excited for it.
I guess now would be a good time to let you know, I am a Dreamer. I tend to dream Big. The other thing I don't like about this issue, is that there seems to be almost a negative around people who have means. Is this issue asking me to make a choice between economic progess and helping the poor? This seems again, so backwards to me! I may not have many means right now, but honeslty, I plan to. Do I want to live in a gated community where I am surrounded with people who make six and seven figure incomes? No. I don't have any interest in that. Nor do I think that's neccessarily a great goal to have for myself. But that being said: If I am making six figures, will I no longer be welcome in this community? Would others preferr me to NOT to build a new house here? Am I not to invite other larger income earners to buy in my fabulously talented and spicy neighbourhood? Will we complain when a Starbucks finds it's way to our door? I guess I have to ask: Why can't I have both diversity and affluency? To hold back on market progress almost hints of a socialist premise that I am just not comfortable with honestly.
So what's the answer?
I don't really have it. But here's what I do have: A desire to pour strength and hope and belief in the possibilities around every corner. For EVERY ONE. What if we who have eyes to see, got out of debt and got some strength in our family's finances? What if those of us here, in this very neighbourhood were to start buying up the derelict buildings? What if we made them into apartment buildings, and actually kept the prices low enough to help the single mother be able to provide a descent home for her family? What if we, as neighbours on the Ave, created "living spaces" for the temporarily broken, the temporarily homeless families. What if we gave people the skills and address needed to get a job? What if we connected them to child care? What if we just gave them a cold drink of water, and hope for tomorrow? What if we were the bridge to hope?
I really don't feel like holding back progess is the key. I think the key is involving EVERYONE in that progess.
Is it a possibility? Probably not on a human level. But we're not left to merely human abilities.
Just a few thoughts. Maybe I don't even have a true understanding of the conversation you're looking to have.... but hey, this is what's on my heart so far
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