downpat t1_iwtaczt wrote on November 18, 2022 at 4:28 AM

Reply to comment by themaskedewok in Oak Bakeshop on east side has opened! (more details in comments) by n0m_chompsky

Pretty sure the “Black” neighborhoods of Providence consist only of South Providence and this part of Mt. Hope, what used to be called Lippitt Hill. Basing that only on my own experience and no demographic studies or anything, though. Either way - I’m certainly not saying the gentrification is a bad thing. I too have noticed its improvements. But this conversation should be happening. And my point was more that the kinds of businesses popping up in the area now would very likely tell you that gentrification is racist and wrong.

themaskedewok t1_iwtbxkv wrote on November 18, 2022 at 4:43 AM

It's funny because when you said "black" neighborhoods in your original comment, I thought of south prov after the east side area. The area between eddy, broad and south of the hospital. Which, let's be honest, is rough.

I agree this conversation needs to happen. I want to understand why you say it is racist. Is it because these new businesses charge more and that prices generational locals out of the area? And by doing that you are forcing people out of the area without explicitly making them leave? And if that is the assertion isn't that more classist than racist? Or is it racist because there neighborhoods are specifically targeted for this kind of thing?

JoeFortune1 t1_iww1awn wrote on November 18, 2022 at 7:53 PM

Class and race are tied together. This is how gentrification works. Businesses open without racist intentions but there are racial implications. The way our economy works, property values based on your neighbors value etc, when a neighborhood “improves” it becomes unlivable for people who can’t afford it and that tends to be a certain ethnicity being forced to relocate. From what I am told, Benefit street used to be a largely black neighborhood as well