Blog #6 (and #7)

Last week, Morgan and I met and examined the email Lori sent us and we used additional sources to come up with an outline of what we are going to use in our Prezzi.  This week we have emailed Amory and set up an appointment with her to basically become more official.  We want to check and double check that our Prezzi will be made available to not just the Team Leads, but also the volunteers.  We are meeting with Amory on Monday and will give her the completed Prezzi so that she will have a better idea of what it is we are seeking to do.

Blog #5

I thoroughly enjoyed reading individual stories in the book Images of America Austin's Rosewood Neighborhood, which added to the deep, rich contextual history of East Austin.  A couple of things caught my eye that I would like to share.  I found it very interesting that President Bill Clinton visited the Rosewood Recreation Center in East Austin prior to a neighborhood-wide cleanup.  This seems very similar to what UT does every year with The Project. Maybe we can call President Obama to come give an opening speech to kick off The Project!  I think it is pretty cool that a Juneteenth Celebration still occurs in Rosewood Park (the first celebration was in 1900).  Also, something that has remained a huge part of the Rosewood community churches. Many of the churches have been around for over 100 years.  The process of changing the name of 19th street to MLK is quite interesting.  Many people did not want the change because they protested the patronizing gesture of dedicating only that section of the boulevard that runs through predominantly black neighborhoods.  The name was still changed.  I, personally, don't see it as offensive.  This book was really cool to read and I loved seeing pictures with each story, making it easier to visualize.

Blog #4

“Gentrification is a general term for the arrival of wealthier people in an existing urban district, a related increase in rents and property values, and changes in the district's character and culture.”

My hometown, Marshall, has experienced gentrification is multiple parts of the town.  One neighborhood, called Azalea Way, was once a street full of normal, moderate houses.  It is now a long strip of mansions.  However, because the street is a dead end and not connected to the surrounding neighborhoods, the creation of these houses only affected Azalea Way.  Once the first house was torn down and built to a 5 bedroom, 3 bathrooms place, the property taxes of surrounding homes started to rise.  Eventually, each of the 20 houses were torn down and rebuilt to be nicer and much bigger homes.  

Is Austin's gentrification unique in some ways?  Yes or No, explain.

The gentrification happening in Austin seems very similar to what is happening in Johannesburg.  Hip and overpriced restaurants arise in what is known as the lower income area.  A restaurant called Hillside Farmacy in East Austin parallels with what is hopeful to happen to the Radiator Centre in Johannesburg—two brothers are looking to develop the dilapidated area.  A bar in Johannesburg resembles a coffee shop call Bennu in East Austin because it is a place where people of all different economic statuses coexist. 

What did you learn about gentrification during the East Austin van tour that is informing your view on gentrification?

I was introduced to the term “gentrification” for the first time because of this class.  I had no idea that renovations could have such a negative impact on a society.  I believed that if newer and nicer things are being built, things must have been going well for all parties involved.  However, the idea of gentrification says that culture and history is lost when a group of people are forced out of their neighborhood simply because they are unable to keep up with the price increase.

Blog #3

I've never really thought about how East Austin came to be viewed as a “no man’s land.”  The first article discusses how the minorities were forced to move to East Austin in 1928 because the people wanted to remain as segregated as possible.  In order to make sure all minority residents moved to East Austin, they would do things like cut off utilities of black people living in Freedmen settlements.  The most surprising statistic I learned is that home values in East Austin have increased 117% from 1999 - 2005 compared to the 30% increase of the city as a whole.  The readings helped me to get a better understanding of gentrification, which is a shift in an urban community toward wealthier residents and/or businesses and increasing property values.  This process is not always positive—some residents are forced out of their houses because of the increase of property value.  It was no surprise to me to read more about the rich history of the East Austin area.  When people think of East Austin, they generally think of people with low SES.  I think we often forget that every old neighborhood has a story.  I believe in fighting to conserve the history of East Austin in whatever way we can.

Cultural Assessment

This activity was fun but also quite difficult! I found it challenging to find items that represent identities such as race, ethnicity, and gender.

My first item is a painting I received from a good friend that says “Hakuna Matata.”  The reason she made this for me is because this is a saying by which I am able to live my life.  I try to be worry-free because my religion says, “Who of you by worrying will add a single hour to your life?”  I am a Christian, which is where I have put most of my identity as a person. 

My second item is the video of me when I went skydiving.  This represents my abilities—I am physically able to do things such as go skydiving.  If I were not healthy or had some type of disability, this activity would be out of the question.  This also represents my age.  I think most people who go skydiving are young and want to express the freedom we have to go and jump out of a plane if we so desire.

The third item I brought was my car keys.  This represents my social class.  Simply owning a car says a lot about which social class you belong to.  I am grateful to own a car—it is something that I often assume should be granted to me without question.

My last item is a picture of my boyfriend.  I don’t typically think about my identity partially coming from my sexual orientation, but I suppose because I am heterosexual, I am more privileged than the average person. 

Blog #2

The United States has taken part of racism against non-white people for a number of years.  Whites built up wealth by the exploitation of Americans of color while the country of France benefited directly from exploitation of Africa.  The U.S. and France hold many similarities regarding racism, including their long history of racism.  Additionally, both countries display racism to minority groups, but the minorities may not actually be minorities in the future.  Brazil also compares to the countries of U.S. and France.  Until the 19^th century, Brazil brought in many Africans to help on plantations.  Although slavery has been abolished in Brazil, Afro-Brazilians experience racial inequality even today.  In South Africa and Brazil, citizens of African ancestry are currently experiencing stereotyping, discrimination, and oppression.

Residential segregation has been a prominent issue regarding race and housing in the United States.  The Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 provided expansions for federal housing programs, but issues such as discrimination, suburbanization, redlining, and personal preferences continue to keeps neighborhoods racially segregated. 

Tatum identifies one barrier to be the student’s concept of self.  Many minority students observe their race to be significant, while white students focus more on religion, sex, or age.  How society views the student can also be a barrier in a classroom setting.  Identifying oneself as part of subordinate or dominant groups can also alter our discussion of race and racism.

I am a 21-year old white girl receiving higher education, and I was raised in an upper-middle class family.  I would say that I experience many privileges on a typical day.  I can interact with many people in public without being assumed of being a shoplifter.  If I choose to, I could be completely surrounded by white people.  To be honest, it’s difficult for me to talk about privilege, knowing so many people do not experience the advantages I do simply because of preexisting circumstances.   

Blog #1

My name is Rebecca Horsley and I am a 4^th year at UT.  I am one of the few who happened to stumble upon this class, and I’m really looking forward to it.  I am anxious to learn and grow outside of the classroom.

I spoke with one of my roommates about East Austin.  She mentioned that she has not explored many parts of the area, but she spoke highly of the “up and coming, trendy” neighborhood just east of I 35 around 11^th street.  Other than this area, she said she thinks of East Austin as the poor side of town, but she bases this off of what people have said, not from her own experience with the area. 

I believe at least slight growth is present in every part of Austin.  With over 300 people moving to the city each day, Austin is expanding and growing.  I read in an article about a 27-acre micro-village in East Austin charging $210 for monthly rent so that homeless people in the area might have an affordable place to stay.  This program, Community First, seeks to not only provide a home for the homeless but to also keep the people off of the streets.