INTRO: This is my op ed and my topic of choice was was the gentrification in my area this version of my op ed is a bit short but it is more consice sometimes in my writing I write too much how I talk and it definitely reflects so I used better language and punctuation to help make it sound a-lot more educational and informative

Cover Letter

In this course we have been analyzing language in many aspects. Language is very dependent

on those things that are happening not only around us but to us. Our parents, the places we

grow up in, the time period we grow up, and language. these experience are all ways our

language is developed. Being a middle/oldest child defines my language, being an immigrant

defines my language, growing up in the Bronx defines my language, and even my hot and cold

relationship with my mom defines my language. All these things have not only defined who I am

as a person, but how I express myself through clothes, writing, and speech. We have read and

discussed Mother Tongue by Amy Tan,Only Daughter by Sandra Cisneros Nobody Mean More

to Me Than You by June Jordan and these readings perfectly encapsulate how our lives

develop our language. The Assignment that has resonated with me the most so far during the

course was the language and literacy narrative because It took me a very long time to be able to

explain and develop my relationship with my parents on paper because my feelings have never

translated correctly onto my writing but i feel like that assignment helped me alot and it also

brought me some appreciation for the way i grew up because although it does still affect me

from day to day it has made me the person i am today am i can say i am proud of the person i

am. One overall thing that this class has helped me learn is that we never stop developing who

we are and that helps shape our language until the day we die.

Gentrification

My chosen topic is Gentrification. I’ve been living in Harlem since around 2014, and even then, it was already gentrified, but the issue has been growing. Gentrification is “the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, typically displacing current inhabitants in the process.” Specifically, I want to address the changes happening on 125th street. Over the years, there has been a gradual transformation, starting with a small mall at 125th and Lenox and extending down the avenues with the construction of high-rise condos and other developments. The concern arises when these new buildings don’t benefit the existing community but cater to the influx of wealthier individuals, often causing displacement and disrupting the local culture.

Harlem holds immense historical significance, housing landmarks like The Apollo Theatre, Marcus Garvey Park, and being a central hub during the Harlem Renaissance. Once a home to numerous civil rights activists, Harlem has witnessed a shift from its authentic roots to a watered-down version of itself. Harlem is intricately tied to African American history, having faced discrimination during redlining, where it was labeled as one of the least desirable areas. The so-called “improvements” are not only eroding the cultural fabric but displacing the long-standing residents of Harlem.

Some argue that the new developments contribute to the area’s renovation and economic growth, but the cost over all these new buildings are a-lot bigger. Many brownstones once owned by Harlem residents have now changed hands. This impact extends beyond residents to local businesses, as retail spaces are revamped and occupied by larger corporations. For instance, the opening of a Nike store on 125th Street and the ongoing development of a Sephora store are clear examples of how big retailers are taking over, displacing smaller, historically significant businesses.

This issue is not exclusive to Harlem; it’s a broader problem in New York City. Similar transformations have occurred in Brooklyn, parts of Washington Heights, and the South Bronx specifically, just across the river from Harlem. Gentrification negatively affects lower-income communities, exacerbating housing and homelessness problems. Instead of benefiting the locals, these developments often contribute to rising rents and pricing out long-standing residents. It is imperative for the city to rethink the use of these buildings and prioritize affordable housing for the community.

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