Great points, ladies. I'd like to add that there is a difference (in my mind) between several types of gentrifiers. There are folks who come into town to work and leave after 5 pm and, similar to them, the folks who rent a loft but never spend time in the city, just jump in the car and drive to the suburban mall or their favorite bar. Then there are people who actually stay in the city and use its various services. While both drive up prices, at least, in the second case, we may hope that these folks will be more in touch with the reality in the city they live in and will be a powerful ally to all inner-city dwellers. For instance, I see a problem when (mostly white, well-to-do) Rochesterians who have never been to the transit center or on a city bus pass judgment on the city kids who ride the bus. The same goes for the library, etc., etc.
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Great points, ladies. I'd like to add that there is a difference (in my mind) between several types of gentrifiers. There are folks who come into town to work and leave after 5 pm and, similar to them, the folks who rent a loft but never spend time in the city, just jump in the car and drive to the suburban mall or their favorite bar. Then there are people who actually stay in the city and use its various services. While both drive up prices, at least, in the second case, we may hope that these folks will be more in touch with the reality in the city they live in and will be a powerful ally to all inner-city dwellers.
For instance, I see a problem when (mostly white, well-to-do) Rochesterians who have never been to the transit center or on a city bus pass judgment on the city kids who ride the bus. The same goes for the library, etc., etc.
It's true being engaged and invested in the City we share--AND it's people--is important. We need more allies. Thanks for your comment :)