RANTING


Yes. Stop Gentrification Now!

(7/19/05) - The message is clear. The writing is on the wall. The writing is on the stop signs. And the light poles. Tacked to front porches and the Comal Food Mart. It's glued to the back of the crack head running back and forth in front of the Sold Out 4 Christ Ministry right next to Fish R Us:

"STOP GENTRIFYING EAST AUSTIN"
"GENTRIFICATION SUCKS!"
"YUPPIES GO HOME"

Actually, I made that last one up because I can't remember exactly what the poster glued to the intersection signal box said. I was distracted as I tried to cross the street and was almost smooshed by an SUV making a right turn without signalling with moderate disregard of bicycles and the damage my shitty Schwinn I bought from that crack head in front of the Sold Out 4 Christ Ministry might do to a luxury gas guzler. But before we get into the obvious problem here, let's take a peak at what the argument is about:

Main Entry: gen·tri·fi·ca·tion
Pronunciation: "jen-tr&-f&-'kA-sh&n
Function: noun
: the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces earlier usually poorer residents

The point I'm getting at is just the amusing observation that the increase of the signs screaming "Stop Gentrifying the Eastside!" on the eastside is kind of a good way to tell how far along the gentrification process is.

Argue what you like, and I've never seen anyone putting up one of these posters that range in style from punk rock poster to an almost Reverend "Bob" Dobbs ad, but I've got a sneaking suspicion Gentle Ben hobbling up and down Comal Street, Robert the bike thieving crack head or any of the brothers outside the Nation of Islam on Chicon Street are taking the time and money to print up these hard core, in-your-face, political ads and glue them onto everything in East Austin.

Thank you yuppies. Thank you for continuing to keep irony alive.

-T$



 

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