Thursday, January 4, 2018

Is there "strategic gentrification" in Chicago?

Yesterday at the Capitol Fax we see that Chris Kennedy - and if you want to know yes he's a member of that family Kennedy family related to the late President John F. Kennedy - made some comments. He believes in "strategic gentrification" so guess what in 2018 a return to the "dreaded G word".

From the Sun-Times:
If businessman Chris Kennedy is to have any chance of winning the Democratic nomination for governor, he needs to get black voters excited about his candidacy.

With that clearly in mind, Kennedy turned his sights Wednesday on Mayor Rahm Emanuel, accusing the mayor of being part of a “strategic gentrification plan” to intentionally push black residents out of the city.

“We’re cutting off money for schools, cutting off money for police, allowing people to be forced to live in food deserts, closing hospitals, closing access to mental health facilities,” Kennedy told reporters during a news conference that began as a criticism of the city’s efforts to stop gun violence.

“What choice do people have but to move, to leave, and I think that’s part of a strategic gentrification plan being implemented by the city of Chicago to push people of color out of the city,” he continued.
...
Pressed further, Kennedy said: “I believe that black people are being pushed out of Chicago intentionally by a strategy that involves disinvestment in communities being implemented by the city administration.”
Then he states who he blames for this:
Asked who is behind this alleged plan, Kennedy pointed to Emanuel.

“I believe in the tone at the top,” he said. “I believe the mayor is aware of what’s going on, and I think he is allowing that to occur and in some ways encouraging it.”
...
“And I believe Rahm Emanuel is the head of the city administration and therefore needs to be held responsible for those outcomes.”
What do you all think? Is this all politics? Is this something that will spice up the Democratic primary for Governor this year? Do you think Kennedy is right about "strategic gentrification"?

Also check out the reaction over at the CapFax. We see statements by Rahm Emanuel & Superintendent in reaction to Kennedy's comments. Also check out the comments section, who thinks Chris Kennedy should run for mayor if this Governor's thing doesn't work. Mayor Emanuel needs a challenger. :P
BTW, when you think about it sharing this is a great companion to this morning's post about South Loop winning the Curbed Cup 2017. South Loop is a changing neighborhood or we could say gentrifying since the 2000s at least.

ALSO, here's another tweet from WGN's political editor Tahman Bradley

No comments:

Post a Comment

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Comment Moderating and Anonymous Comment Policy

While anonymous comments are not prohibited we do encourage you to help readers identify you so that other commenters may respond to you. Either read the moderating policy for how or leave an identifier (which could be a nickname for example) at the end of the comment.

Also note that this blog is NOT associated with any public or political officials including Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer!