Rina Swentzell Thesis

Modernizations and upgrades of property leads to profit, and profits lead to the “American Dream.” One may be forced to sacrifice their dream in order to make a stepping stone for another’s dream. Rina Swentzell and Rory Caroll were witnesses to gentrification, yet at different emotions. Swentzell reflects on the sadness of the gentrification of her Native American tribal land, whereas, Rory, a journalist, who’s reporting the anger of the Boyle Heights residents fighting the current neighborhood gentrification.
The tone of Swentzell’s article is one of reflection and grieving because she realizes the disappointment rooted in the gentrification. She realizes that Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) not only “civilized” her and her fellow students, but also isolated them from their culture. The BIA’s schools were based on the “American” (Anglo) way of education. Furthermore, the BIA’s action of building a school without the input of the local culture was an insult to injury. Not only did they build without cultural consideration, but they also infected the community with the sense that school and …show more content…
The current residents anger is fueled by the utter disregard of new buyers changing the “old” neighborhood culture to suit their profits. Moreover, it seems as if the current increasing property values are a reflection of the middle class movement into current and former low income areas. As a result, the residents of Boyle Height are offended and angry that the gentrification is not only changing the neighborhood’s physical appearance, but also the inclusionary culture. In order to protest, they have utilized their inclusiveness as a weapon to fight and prolong gentrification. Consequently, their collective anger against gentrification might just save what Rina Swentzell felt like she and her fellow student’s lost in their