During the white flight migration of the mid-19th century, many white families fled their urban neighborhoods to avoid various levels of racial integration. When they left the cities for the suburbs they took with them their money and businesses. Their departure created a ripple effect. As they moved out, crime moved in. Property values shrunk and with that tax revenue also declined. With less money to support the established infrastructure public services became less and less available. The documentary, Flag Wars, chronicles the gentrification of Olde Towne East, a downtown, urban Columbus, Ohio neighborhood. In the 1990’s several of Olde Towne’s rundown and at times abandoned properties became viewed as desirable real-estate to cash-flushed
…show more content…
Flags displayed on the properties become a symbol of were each resident’s allegiance fall. Rainbow flags for the new gay homeowners, while established black home owners fly the Pan-African flag. Beyond the issue of gentrification Olde Towne faced conflicting cultural identities, heterosexual versus homosexual and Afrocentric versus Eurocentric. Homophobia is real and present in the hearts and minds of some of the longtime Olde Towne residents. They did not embrace the idea of sharing their neighborhood with gays. One gentleman states that he wouldn’t want a gay man deemed “too flashy, too flaming” to teach his children. It is important to note that the documentary was filmed before gay marriage and anti-hate crime laws were established yet several gay residents are burglarized and assaulted. It is unclear if they were targeted because of the sexual orientation or because of their perceived wealth. Perhaps, it’s both. In addition to the division caused by homophobia is the issue of racism. Several blacks feel the neighborhood is being poached from them. One longtime residents boldly and honestly states, “I don’t want to wake up in my black community and see white people. While another of Olde Towne’s longtime residents, Chief Baba Olugbula Shango Obadeua, equates the gentrification of Olde Towne …show more content…
While the new homeowners are flushed with cash and available credit to rehabilitate their properties, many longtime residents are on fixed incomes or simply do not have similar access to funds thus leaving their properties in disrepair. The neighborhood was declared historical in 1979 and hence any change in paint colors, signage, and upkeep are monitored. The largest penalty for a resident found out of code or noncompliant is a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. In the documentary, Ms. Linda Mitchell is a lifelong Olde Towne resident, who inherits her family home. Her home is continually sighted for multiple violations. She suffers for a terminal illness and receives only monthly disability. However, she fights to stay in the only home she has ever known as it crumbles around her. Some longtime residents assert that the government officials use code enforcement to legally remove them from their homes without providing them any housing
Flags displayed on the properties become a symbol of were each resident’s allegiance fall. Rainbow flags for the new gay homeowners, while established black home owners fly the Pan-African flag. Beyond the issue of gentrification Olde Towne faced conflicting cultural identities, heterosexual versus homosexual and Afrocentric versus Eurocentric. Homophobia is real and present in the hearts and minds of some of the longtime Olde Towne residents. They did not embrace the idea of sharing their neighborhood with gays. One gentleman states that he wouldn’t want a gay man deemed “too flashy, too flaming” to teach his children. It is important to note that the documentary was filmed before gay marriage and anti-hate crime laws were established yet several gay residents are burglarized and assaulted. It is unclear if they were targeted because of the sexual orientation or because of their perceived wealth. Perhaps, it’s both. In addition to the division caused by homophobia is the issue of racism. Several blacks feel the neighborhood is being poached from them. One longtime residents boldly and honestly states, “I don’t want to wake up in my black community and see white people. While another of Olde Towne’s longtime residents, Chief Baba Olugbula Shango Obadeua, equates the gentrification of Olde Towne …show more content…
While the new homeowners are flushed with cash and available credit to rehabilitate their properties, many longtime residents are on fixed incomes or simply do not have similar access to funds thus leaving their properties in disrepair. The neighborhood was declared historical in 1979 and hence any change in paint colors, signage, and upkeep are monitored. The largest penalty for a resident found out of code or noncompliant is a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. In the documentary, Ms. Linda Mitchell is a lifelong Olde Towne resident, who inherits her family home. Her home is continually sighted for multiple violations. She suffers for a terminal illness and receives only monthly disability. However, she fights to stay in the only home she has ever known as it crumbles around her. Some longtime residents assert that the government officials use code enforcement to legally remove them from their homes without providing them any housing