As the title says.
Plan on moving soonish, and I'd prefer to avoid living amongst rich suburban libs, but also don't want to gentrify up working class neighborhoods. Is this even possible as a white guy in tech?
Also if you have any books or resources on gentrification, they'd be much appreciated.
gentrification is a function of capitalism, it's going to happen whether you "contribute" to it or not. Like all other forms of consumption, none of them are ethical. Everyone is simultaneously seeking the cheapest everything.
Ugh, I know.
It's just frustrating how capitalism encourages pursuing self interest no matter the social cost to the greater community. Capitalism mandates making unethical decisions just to fulfill basic needs. I think it's partially why people are so eager to be rabid capitalism defenders...they don't want to admit to themselves that they make unethical decisions every day and can't decide to do otherwise.
It's not possible. Gentrification is caused by capitalism. To fight gentrification, fight capitalism.
Well if you move to Portland, you'll be displacing poor white people, if it's any consolation. Otherwise, no, no advice, sorry. Individuals need to live places, you don't control the zoning laws and construction permits which are actually responsible for gentrification.
don't forget the banks. they are as responsible as 'pro-business' government policy.
From my (limited) understanding, part of it is just being able to afford higher prices, by causing:
- an incentive for existing cheap local businesses to raise prices to match the area's increasing ability to pay
- a selective pressure favoring businesses that cater to the desires of the wealthier implants
Is it even possible to not contribute to gentrification while being somewhat wealthier than the existing community? I already live cheaply & plan to do so indefinitely. I won't frequent any upscale hipster coffee shops, but I know I'll make some purchasing decisions that I wouldn't have if my income necessitated a frugal lifestyle.
I know "no ethical consumption under capitalism yada yada", but is it less ethical if my consumption takes place in a poorer neighborhood vs a wealthier one?
Is it lib brain to concern myself with this? Never thought so before, & I've listened to other socialists go off about gentrifiers (PMC hipster libs in the context), but the praxis smells suspiciously like the ever-liberal "boycott [company]! Buy from [other capitalist company] instead!"
Also if you are buying, don’t redo the face of the building to look “expensive”.
This one is obvious. Wouldn't consider it, even if I owned my place. If I renovated anything, it'd be the space I actually live in.
the banks and government are to fault for gentrification, not individuals choosing where to live based on criteria they had no control over.
Absolutely.
I'd just prefer to mitigate any harm that stems from my choices, even if indirect. I still recycle despite knowing corporations are responsible for the vast majority of environmental harm.
I don't want my privilege to reinforce racial and class hierarchy. I wanted to know if I was missing some socialist praxis prescriptions for combatting gentrification.
like solaranus said, "shop local". also, if you can, build solidarity with your community. do tenant organizing/unionizing, learn the local struggles and do what you can to support. beat up other yuppies or "torch" a "bank" or something.
