Gentrification

            The topic of gentrification comes up many times while in all Sociology classes, and one thing I have noticed is how not many people realize that this happens all the time and usually under the radar. When we were in Lincoln Park last week all we saw were big houses, decorative houses, and famous houses. Not many of the houses around us were small, old looking, or cheap. The area was built up in some places with apartments and condos leading the way into the new century.

            What we do not tend to realize is that in order for us to build these houses and high rises that we must kick the old residents out or buy them out. But when they refuse to buy what do we do to them?

            In the paper earlier in the week I found out. A family that had owned the house for many years refused to sell to developers no matter what the price and after an “anonymous” tip police RAIDED the house. The false accusations to which they raided were dog fighting and drug dealing.  All because the son had a pitbull and would hang out with friends on the side of the house. After finding no evidence of either accusation the fire department arrived. And put so many code violations into effect that the house was deemed unlivable and a hazard. They were evicted and since they do not have the money to fix the violations within the time period they are basically forced to sell.

            This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, just because the neighbors do not like one particular family because they do not fit in is in no way right to get them kicked out using loopholes. Granted if they were a threat to the neighborhood I could agree with getting them out. But is this what we have come to? A society that has to do what the rich people want one way or another? Is this how all gentrification works? When you cannot get them out the easy way you resort to tactics that are unconventional?