I am all for change…if it benefits. For some reason, there isn’t much talk about gentrification taking place here in Savannah. I find that so odd because the majority of the city’s population, which happens to be African Americans, is being affected by this.
To be more specific here are some numbers to consider: total population of Savannah is 136,286. Of that number, 75,507 are made up of African Americans. That is 55% of Savannah’s population. Let’s break this down even more. Number of black men: 35,459; black women: 40,048. Black women make up the overall majority of Savannah’s population.
With so much “change” going on, what message does this convey? A large number of African Americans live in low income areas, such as Frazier Homes, Kayton Homes, West Savannah, Liberty City, Carver Village and Hitch Village (no longer exists), which are being affected greatly by gentrification. Some of these neighborhoods are in or within walking distance of Historic Savannah, a major tourist attraction. So what does the city do to keep the visitors calm as they drive the highways that overlook Yamacraw? “Let’s put a few white people here and there, and put up homes for the SCAD students to show how diverse this area really is, to show that we are trying. Sure, whatever gets the lawmakers to sleep at night. Instead of identifying the root cause of the ghettos and why they are in the condition they are in, instead of pointing the finger at the ones who are responsible (ahem, government), they mask it by getting white people to buy up the condemned houses, which will in turn cause rising tax properties, which will then cause many to be homeless. This can, and has, contributed to crime rates.
What is going to happen to all the older ones who made a home in Carver Village, one of the first subdivisions to offer black home ownership. What’s going to happen to the thousands of black people who’s property tax will sky rise? (Not to mention most do not receive governmental assistance because they are not poor enough, they make just enough to “get by”). What will happen to me? These are questions I’d love to hear an answer to and I believe the city has a right to know.
I wrote this poem quick. It’s short, but to the point. Enjoy.
It’s weird to see what I see
I never thought MLK would be occupied by the elite
“What a nice little home, let’s fix it up nice. And drive up property taxes to a real nice price”
You see, I love change, but only if it benefits
I hate to see my people suffer…again
Displaced citizens with nowhere to go
Are we ever taken into consideration? I don’t think so