Re-gentrification

means to "re-populate" with "gentry"... those of a higher class...
We are facing it in the Neighborhood Association where I live.
Many of the participants want to see property values go up, to
attract new businesses and see folks move into the neighborhood
who will be like them... folks who will take care of their property
and share their values.  It seems reasonable enough.
They are now targeting the homeless as barriers to this, and are
actively seeking to move them out of the neighborhood.
Here's the thing -
Eventually, after the homeless are gone, it will be the low income
folks, the working poor - those who can afford to live here right
now, but who will not be able to fix up their places to the required
specifications like other residents will be able to do and demand,
who will see their property taxes go up and won't be able to afford
them, especially the folks, mostly elderly, mostly on fixed incomes,
who have lived here for thirty years.  They will have to be displaced.
Privately owned businesses will not be able to afford the required
improvements and lease rates and/or taxes, so they will be replaced
by chains as bankers, realtors, real estate speculators and developers
come into the area and "improve" it.
The "gentry" will move in, the same kind of folks who lived here
over thirty years ago before the neighborhood "changed", buy up the
property and make it nice and neat.
And a community will be displaced... lost... those like King David
(II Samuel 12) addressed by Nathan the prophet, who have power
and wealth and who can do whatever they want to do, will get what they
want, wherever they want, regardless of who is hurt or what affects
the exile/diaspora will have on families, schools and those who have
less power and wealth.
The irony is that many who are clamoring for this now will not be
the ones who can afford to stay, but they do not see that coming yet.
When they do, it will be too late.
I want to live in a world and a community that VALUES everyone:
the black, brown, white, gay, straight, religious, spiritual, non-believers,
wealthy, working poor, public assistance recipients, homeless...
EVERYONE...
I don't want it to be that neat and tidy at the expense of "those people",
who are pushed out to find somewhere else to live, "as long as it's not
here."
It does damage to our souls individually and collectively to value our
property over people, profit over people and exclusivity over others' lives.
It seems to me that property has the value any individual places on it...
the meaning we attach to it... it is not more valuable because of some
"red" line drawn around a certain area that declares some are welcome
and some are excluded.  It is only valuable to me because I like living
in that community, on that street and in that house.  Truly, we don't own
anything.  That is an illusion, as is the idea that some property is more
valuable than other property.  It will be here long after we are gone...
individually and collectively.
Why not value PEOPLE who live here and now, even those who are
different and those who are poor, over property?  Give it a try!  God had
something to say about it through Amos (Chapter 8).
Why not mark "progress" as the coming together of people in support
of each other - building community.  Jesus had something to say about
it (Luke 16; 20:45-47).  The 1st Century Church responded to His
teachings and example and lived it (Acts 2:43-47; 4:32-37).
Perhaps the church that claims the name of Jesus could stand with and
for the poor, homeless and voiceless in these circumstances in city
neighborhoods!
Perhaps individual Christians could address it in communities and their
own neighborhood associations.  Perhaps concerned neighbors and
citizens could do the same!
What is YOUR value?  How will you voice it?  How will you act on it?
Pastor Jamie