Not to be rude. This was a thing in my local sub reddit. So it was very pro gentrification. For they were often the ones reaping the benefits .

I lived in San Francisco in the 90s as big tech was incubating, and there was a belief that the coming democratization of technology was going to unite us and better the world. There was an incredible sense of anticipation. What we, as 20-year-old punks enjoying the SF Mission district, did not see happening was the complete overrunning of affordable neighborhoods by tech workers and real-estate developers. Housing had become an act of gladiator combat where the most powerful weapon was cash.

During the pandemic, it seemed as if Austin had become the number one city that people moved to on the social employment site LinkedIn. Like San Francisco 20 years ago, people are coming to Austin to work in the tech industry and bask in the weird pseudo liberal culture that the city has become known for. Houses now regularly sell at a hundred thousand dollars over asking price. This has coincided with the building of a Google tower downtown, Facebook ordering 2m sq ft of office space, and Tesla moving their headquarters to Austin.

The true human impact of this influx of highly paid and economically mobile workforce is felt in the form of a housing crisis. I have had a keen eye on this since 2010 when I did a master’s degree in sustainability in the architecture programme at the University of Texas with a focus on affordable housing. What I found so disheartening in architecture school was the focus on sustainability in the design of luxury houses and buildings that a majority of people could not afford or access. I learned about designing energy-efficient structures rather than sustainability in terms of our ability to retain historical residents.

By 2014, I had refocused my energies on an equally brutal career: film-making. I believe that through visual storytelling we can communicate social needs and seek to preserve communities on the frontlines of gentrification- that’s why I produced my documentary, “Happiness is a Journey”, if you’d like to check it out.

What we hope to preserve in this film are the everyday routines of the invisible working class in a city that will soon be unaffordable for them. Much like I saw gentrification change the Bay Area, it is transforming Austin, and this film is an act of sustainability. We must recognize and give a face to the vulnerable people who make up our city before it is too late and they are forced to leave.

School Project. Bresnan, Patrick. “Gentrification Destroyed the San Fransico I Knew. Austin is Next.” The Guardian, 21 Dec. 2021.

I can’t stand hipsters, honestly I detest the closet racism that oozes from my interactions with them. Frankly, I’d rather deal with confederate flag waving Nazis. What good is their BLM flags if there’s no praxis in their daily activities? Like if you’re so anti racist why don’t you invite people of color to your house, help them enroll in colleges and vocational schools, or just not call the police on them when they’re in your proximity? Is that too much to ask for? (Sorry just ranting). Lol

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/black-farmer-calls-out-liberal-racism-in-powerful-facebook-message_n_5925a027e4b0650cc020eb4d

apartment searching and most of the ones in my price range that are decent looking seem like they’re in areas that are starting to be gentrified. how can i avoid contributing to gentrification in these areas? the only apartments in non-gentrified areas are either super expensive or pretty run down. is it even gentrification if it’s all i can afford?

Hello everyone!

My name is Lillian and I am a current undergraduate at Eckerd College in Florida. I am doing a final project in one of my courses about gentrification and more specifically how it personally effects individuals in different areas.

During non-COVID times we would go to town and interview people in person, but this year for obvious reasons can't allow it. Facebook groups give us a wider perspective of gentrification in America.

My hopes with joining this group is to get some person insight with someone who has been effected by gentrification. I will be posting some questions that can either be answered on the actual post or you can DM me if you would like to talk more in depth.

I appreciate and welcome any information or stories you may have about gentrification. I appreciate everyone's time!!

1. Have you, a family member, or someone close to you been affected by gentrification or displacement?

2. Where did this happen specifically? What town?

3. Did you notice any visual signs of gentrification in that town or in the state?

4. Is there a racial component to gentrification? If so, expand.

5. Do you think there is a benefit to gentrification in terms of urban revitalization? Who is benefitting?

Thank you everyone and I hope to hear from some of you! 📷