As I take people on a tour through Greenville, I use the term gentrifying. I often need to explain what that means. I’m challenged because gentrifying has both good news and bad news about it. I’ve developed the term gentle-fying to expand what I’m talking about. Both gentrifying and gentle-fying look the same at first. Homes with repair issues are purchased and refurbished. People new to the neighborhood move into the home. And eventually with both, the value of the properties in the neighborhood rise and some people can lose the homes where they have lived for decades. This last point does not have to be inevitable but usually happens, sometimes just more slowly with gentle-fying. Below is how I distinguish between gentrifying and gentle-fying.
Gentrifying vs. Gentle-fying a Neighborhood
Gentrifying: House is purchased for income building
Gentle-fying: House is purchased for neighborhood building
Gentrifying: Security is based on locks, gates, and systems
Gentle-fying: Security is based on friendships and watching out for each other
Gentrifying: Long-time residents may not be welcome
Gentle-fying: Long-time residents are cherished
Gentrifying: Diversity is threatening
Gentle-fying: Diversity is embraced
Gentrifying: My way is the right way
Gentle-fying: Our way is the right way
Gentrifying: The past is obscured as not important
Gentle-fying: The past is celebrated as part of the heritage
Gentrifying: Us vs. Them
Gentle-fying: It’s all Us