Skip to main content

I am about to say the G-WORD right now. . . .

GE-GE-GENTR-

GEN-GEEEENNN

GENTRIFICATION!!!!! ALERT!!!!

what?!?!? Who? Who did it? Where? WHHHHYYY?

I will tell you all about it in this brief update but first let me explain what gentrification is by using an excerpt from Tom Wetzel's 2004 article on the G-Word itself.

"In other times and places an inflow of investment fuels gentrification. Upscale condos are erected, houses are rehabbed. Candle-lit restaurants and stores catering to people with higher incomes displace bodegas and used appliance stores. Rents rise as landlords realize they can attract professionals and business people as tenants. An area of "valuable city real estate" is being cleansed of its working class residents."

There was no question in my mind that Brooklyn's Infamous Coney Island is on its way to G-Land. A disney style amusement park with a neighborhood of tourist attractions to match. Sounds great right? Yeah sure if you are an ATM. If you are the Asian, Russian, Black and other minorities here in Coney Island that have been dealing with crime and graphitti filled neighborhood sitings the change may be a good site for soar eyes as well. But quite frankly my experience with gentrification has proven that it rarely assists the people even though the outer appearance is great because you can get your "Mc Fatty" with the gracious smile of a local who is making minimum wage and happy to at least have a job in these trying times. When can a change for the better feel like a real change for the better? Why are the liberal anti-capitalist, and non-profit outreach do littler's always complaining? What is their solution? Hmm well maybe instead of another corporation infiltrating the landscape of what use to be the best city in the world (until capitalism and false logo idols replaced realism and the spirit of true diversity) Instead of that same old solution how about this. Corporations pay money to educate folks in the rural neighborhoods how to develop their own franchises and infrastructures in order to address their needs and the needs of the natural habitat surrounding them. You mean to tell me with an aquarium near by no one is an expert on how to turn the beach into a hydro-electric nature preserve that will bring jobs and educate tourist on taking responsibility of our planet and communities? I don't know. Maybe I am just a humanitarian with a visionary rising but I just feel that gut feeling when I see another Mc Donald corp popping up in a neighborhood that can use some empowerment that I seen this movie before and already know how its going to end.

Whats your thoughts on the G-Word and Coney Island?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Happy Hannukkah ā­ BEAT x Blavity šŸ’Ž Happy Birthday James! šŸŽ‚

  BEAT logo on white background with black, blue, yellow, and red lines and arrows forming the letters B-E-A-T. Bridging Education & Art Together is in black text below the logo. Happy Hanukkah! A candlelight menorah between two blue stars of David with the words Happy Hanukkah in front. Today's the fifth night of  Hanukkah  and BEAT would like to wish everyone who's observing a happy and safe celebration.  Spin those dreidels and collect all those chocolate coins! But as the days go by and you light your menorah, don't forget to "light up" the days of your loved ones with joy and laughter as this turbulent year comes to an end.    Happy Hanukkah! Free Breakers Program for NYC Youth It's the season of giving and BEAT has some exciting news! We're offering a  FREE  4-Day BEAT Breakers Workshop for NYC students ages 7-18 years old. With schools closing for break, BEAT wants to make sure students still have access to fun and engaging ou...

Welcoming Women's History Month ā­ļø

Welcome March Happy National Women's History Month Women's History Month is a celebration of women's contributions to history, culture and society. The United States has observed it annually throughout the month of March since 1987. BEAT Global is proud to have served and worked with many women all over the world. We will continue to spread the joy of music to everyone regardless of race, gender, ability or disability.  Happy Cerebral Palsy Awarness Month Cerebral palsy is a neurological disability, a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth. This affects thousands of children and adults worldwide. March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, which allows us to celebrate and educate others about the disorder. BEAT Global is proud to have created a safe space where people of all abilities can feel...

7 Reasons why becoming a member of Beat365 rocks.

As you already might know I go by the alias Undakova (Undercover) and I am beat maker, DJ and MC here in NYC. I have been producing hip hop beats since the 90s and have produced my own hip hop instrumentals for my album created here in New York City. I often get asked by R & B artist and MCs "Can you produce some beats for my album?" One day the question popped up in my head "Where does an artist find great sounding Hip hop, r&b and rap beats that sound so good you play them in your car for fun as well as record song after song with them?" If an artist doesn't have a friend or business partner who is a producer or know how to/ want to produce beats on there own spare time (which can take a lot of time and money) where does he/she find a complete collection of hip hop beats? Well the answer is simple. . . . To find Hip hop, r&b and rap beats that sound so good you play them in your car for fun as well as record song after song with them go to Beats365...