Two sides of the gentrification conversation in LA

Photo with the Weekly story by Stephen Ziegler. Note sign.

The latest issue of LA Weekly takes an interesting approach to the subject of gentrification. They paired up two writers to argue whether Los Angeles is being ruined by gentrification. Says an editor's note: "What better topic than gentrification to split people in Los Angeles into distinct camps? Below, writers Art Tavana and Isaac Simpson passionately argue the point and counterpoint of L.A.'s gentrification boom."

First, a snippet from Tavana's "Just say yes to gentrification" opener.

Angelenos are sun-addicted colonizers who expect the pristine charm of their Victorian homes in Echo Park, the hippie stank of Venice, and daily weather patterns to respond to their personal preferences. When someone interferes with their self-entitled chi, they freak out and rely on loaded words like "gentrification" to identify the boogeyman: middle-class hipsters. We're spoiled enough here to have "tall-fence critics," who whine that residents of Venice won't let drunks run around their front lawns.

Angelenos don't know their history from a 99-cent store: Before the film studios, in the mid-1800s, ranches and prostitution houses reigned. Then posh coastal resorts, the automobile business and film studios turned L.A. into what it is today. The hipster-hating mob ignores evidence that gentrification helps eradicate gang violence, strengthens the local economy, and encourages diversity in neighborhoods separated by racial lines. These positives far outweigh the only logical advantage to opposing progress: Cheaper rents and Spanish Colonial architecture that will crumble like Jenga pieces in the next big earthquake.

Now Simpson's introduction to his argument on the no side.

Stephen Ziegler hangs out near his studio on the edge of Skid Row and watches the community drift by. After seven years there he knows the homeless people, the restaurant people and the artists. Across the street a new neighbor, a young woman in high heels and business clothes, walks her small Yorkie. A homeless woman lurches into her path and shrieks, “Aww! Look at the doggie!” and bends to pet it. The suited woman pulls her dog away, but trips and falls. She climbs to her feet and screams, “Don’t fucking touch me!” and stomps across the street to Ziegler.

“She tried to touch my dog!” she says. “I don’t know what that bitch has!” Gentrification, illustrated. Gentrification is white flight in reverse, but it's worse than that because it’s based on the belief that you're doing the right thing. It wasn’t I who decided our society was done oppressing the poor and the brown-skinned. I was taught that in school and on TV. My heroes are men and women who fought for equality—that's who I was taught to idolize. These are the standards with which we measure ourselves.

But gentrification puts those standards to the test. We say we’ll do it responsibly, that we’re making things “safer” and “better for everyone.” No one is actually hurt. But what are the results? Displacement. Eviction. Forced homelessness. Police violence. Destroyed communities. That's oppression.

Much more at the Weekly website. Only nine comments so far.