East Austin on My Mind

Man, oh man, I had lots of mulling to do after finishing Harlem on Our Minds.  I've actually been thinking about the issue of gentrification for a while now, especially since I've lived for the past two years in East Austin, a part of town that is becoming/is already a "hip" place to live in town.  It wasn't until maybe five years ago that this area began to really feel an influx of "white-ification," and my husband lived here before then.  He explains that it was an issue of cheaper rent for more space.  It's also a function of location in Austin--the east side is closer to downtown, without having to slog through all of the traffic on Mopac and I-35.  However, the demographics of the area are definitely changing these days.  Instead of being feared by White people (though some still ask me how scary my neighborhood is--the only terrifying thing is how early the roosters begin crowing), E. 6th is a mecca for all bars hipster.  Even farther east, where I live, there are more boutiques and trendy pubs opening every week.  Although they're all local businesses, instead of the chains mentioned in the book, they're definitely the kinds of shops that the lower middle class cannot afford.  I can't afford most of these places.  However, I would feel welcome in them, which is a function of race.

Kinloch is quick to provide evidence that White people feel that gentrification is more of an issue of class than of race.  While I feel more comfortable saying that it's only based on class, I'm sure that it is an issue of both class and race.  On my block, we are the only white people.  The rest of the houses contain Latino families, some of whom have been there for decades.  Although we rent, we are discussing buying a house in the near future, and we would like to be on the east side.  It's an area we know well, and there are many local artists and gallery spaces in this area of town that are important to us.  However, I am concerned about my role in white-ifying the community.  I think that, as Kinloch points out, involvement in the community is important so that I am preserving the neighborhoods rather than stripping them of their history and culture.  In addition, I do think that Austin tries to alleviate some gentrification issues.  For example, many neighborhoods on the east side have very strict zoning laws to prevent the construction of condos and corporate businesses.  In addition, there is a housing program available through the town for residents of Austin who have low incomes to be able to purchase a house.  In this way, the town is allowing people the opportunity to own rather than to have to deal with the financial strain of constant rent increases.  I mean, we've even had to deal with the rent increases; interestingly, we rent from a Latina woman who owns many properties throughout the east side.

I don't think there are simple solutions.  While I cannot change the white privilege that I enjoy, I can use my space constructively.  As a member of the community, I plan on being involved more in activities and the neighborhood planning boards (we're a part of the Govalle community).  As a teacher, I can utilize projects such as the activities that Kinloch discusses so that my students understand the history and the current state of the spaces they inhabit.  And when I do buy a house, I will make my decision responsibly and acknowledge the role that both race and class play within my community and the way that it functions within the larger scope of the city.

Even with all that said, I'm still mulling.  Kinloch's put East Austin on my mind.