In “Gentrification in Black and White: The Racial Impact of Public Housing”, Edward Goetz highlights the disproportionate displacement of African Americans stemming from the demolition of public housing projects. Goetz asserts that through the U.S.’s housing policy, particularly the demolition of public housing and the displacement of its residents- a majority of whom are African Americans, local governments are able to instigate neighborhood change and gentrification. In “Gentrification in Black and White”, Goetz effectively highlights the intersection of race and class through his analysis of the phenomenon of “Black Gentrification”, in which the gentrifiers are Black middle-class homeowners who displace low-income Black residents, as well
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While Goetz explains “Black Gentrification” as the displacement of low-income Black households by middle-class Black families, he emphasizes that this phenomenon is a result of a legacy of racial segregation and inclusion, coupled with the restricted mobility of the Black middle class (Goetz 1583). By highlighting the phenomenon roots in institutional racism and classism, Goetz reveals the intrinsic connection between the racialization of African Americans as the non-white “Other” and the capitalist, wealth-based hierarchy has served to further marginalize low-income Black households. Additionally, Goetz’s analysis of the greater frequency of state-sponsored demolition of public housing developments in predominantly African American communities with a high concentration of poverty and families receiving welfare assistance further highlights the neoliberal US housing policy, in which the displacement of low-income Black communities serves to reimagine urban spaces in ways that are favorable to private investments (Goetz 1582). Goetz’s analysis illuminates how dilapidation and neglect of housing projects in low-income, Black communities is intrinsically tied to how the US Department of …show more content…
Goetz’s work opens doors for further discussion regarding the government’s emphasis on neoliberal, urban redevelopment and support of the reimagination of urban spaces in favor of corporate interests over the protection of low-income, minority
While Goetz explains “Black Gentrification” as the displacement of low-income Black households by middle-class Black families, he emphasizes that this phenomenon is a result of a legacy of racial segregation and inclusion, coupled with the restricted mobility of the Black middle class (Goetz 1583). By highlighting the phenomenon roots in institutional racism and classism, Goetz reveals the intrinsic connection between the racialization of African Americans as the non-white “Other” and the capitalist, wealth-based hierarchy has served to further marginalize low-income Black households. Additionally, Goetz’s analysis of the greater frequency of state-sponsored demolition of public housing developments in predominantly African American communities with a high concentration of poverty and families receiving welfare assistance further highlights the neoliberal US housing policy, in which the displacement of low-income Black communities serves to reimagine urban spaces in ways that are favorable to private investments (Goetz 1582). Goetz’s analysis illuminates how dilapidation and neglect of housing projects in low-income, Black communities is intrinsically tied to how the US Department of …show more content…
Goetz’s work opens doors for further discussion regarding the government’s emphasis on neoliberal, urban redevelopment and support of the reimagination of urban spaces in favor of corporate interests over the protection of low-income, minority