There ye their ye

“According to the City of Austin's Department of Planning, property value in East Austin's 78702 ZIP code increase more than 100 percent from 2000 to 2005. Census Bureau data shows that African-American population in East Austin drastically reduced from 1990 to 2000, from 80 percent to less than 20 percent in some areas.”

 http://abcnews.go.com/OnCampus/story?id=7399717&page=1

Confession # 1

I currently have the (unfortunate) privilege of residing in the west campus area. I have lived here for two years, and I have watched them build (or prepare to build) one unaffordable apartment complex after another in order to store the largest collection of neon tank-tops ever assembled.

I often wish I lived east of 35.  Especially on nights when it seems impossible to escape the noise of kickin' party music and those wild screams of ecstasy from drunk manchildren stumbling down the street.  But when I think about the situation in East Austin, as groups who have not traditionally resided in those neighborhoods push out long established residents through the process that is gentrification, I can’t help but feel that it may be best for me to fight that urge and avoid becoming just one more kook infiltrating the nest. I am afraid of the damage that I am capable of producing with my choice.

I hope this city gets its shit together. I hope I get my shit together.

“Observation”/Query 

How terribly difficult is it for a community to guarantee affordable housing, food, health care and a good education to its citizens?   

Obviously pretty damn tough. 

Why?

Because people suck at doing the right thing.  Myself included.

 

Delayed Notice: This post is lacking in both insight and educational value.