For my ecofeminist activist action I decided to focus on the issue of environmental gentrification, particularly in the state of Massachusetts. Currently Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Diego, New York, and Chicago account for nearly half of the gentrification within the United States. Gentrification refers to “what happens when lower-income neighborhoods receive massive levels of new investment, adding amenities, raising home values and bringing in new upper-income residents” (Wiltse-Ahmad). While some my view gentrification as a positive as we’ve learned within our previous blog post it often leads to negative impacts like forced displacement and a discriminatory behaviors by people in power towards low-income individuals and people of color. As a result, plenty of individuals end up homeless or living in communities which have more environmental burdens than benefits. Sadly, Boston landed the 20th slot in the cities listed by the intensity of gentrification between the years 2000-2013. While in comparison to the top seven cities Boston is quite low it is still contributing to the problem nationwide.
Thus, I plan to start a tweeter page to share awareness within our state. I would like to educate those on the realties of gentrification and how naturally it can occur. For example, within New Bedford (where I grew up) there have been some major improvements towards the downtown area made to promote tourism. And while the number of homeless individuals have grown within the city all the local news reports many focus on is the benefits associated with the “beatification”. I would like to post pictures of local areas such as Boston, Cambridge, and Lowell communities which have been gentrified. I would also focus on highlight the number of power plants and waste facilities within the cities and towns, as well as poor health outcomes. After highlighting the negative effects associated with gentrification I plan on introducing positive movements in which these communities can learn from. Movements such as Majora Carter’s “Greening the Ghetto,” which brings in sustainable initiatives to improve the lives of those living in communities subject to environmental racism.
By making this tweeter campaign I hope to further educate those of whom don’t fully understand gentrification and how quickly it can take over communities. I would also like to relay the information on how as a community members can empower one another to work together in order to stand against tactics of gentrification. I believe my plan will be successful, because not only individuals be able to learn what gentrification truly is. The hope is they will continue to spread the word and teacher older family members who may feel powerless when faced with the threat of displacement. Ultimately, spreading awareness will make someone feel less hopeless.
Sources:
https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/07/11/in-massachusetts-an-uneven-impact-from-rising-rents
Hello,
I think it is a great idea to spread awareness of gentrification. I like how you not only planned on stating the issues, but stating possible solutions. I hope in doing this, you not only show them the facts, but perhaps can obtain statements from both sides of people affected by and affecting gentrification. It would be cool to see the twitter page become essentially a resource that has not only reputable sources of facts and arguments, but primary sources taken from the people experiencing its affects as well. Perhaps you could even start a movement that encourages people to take care of each other and become less dependant on the central power and more reliant on themselves and neighbors.