Look at the different neighborhoods in your city and observe who resides in each setting. The demographics of each subsection of the city may have been premeditated before it became the urban society it is today. The article A traffic jam in Atlanta would seem to have nothing to do with slavery. But look closer… where Kevin M Kruse explores the effects of segregation on the current traffic of Atlanta. This piece uses visuals and historical context to explain the historical reasoning behind the traffic in Atlanta. Kruse started off explaining how racism evolved following the events of slavery into the Jim Crow era. This is where the use of infrastructure and segregation come together. The efforts to delimit communities by race through these infrastructural projects have had lasting social, economic, and environmental impacts. Through the insight of Atlanta’s urban planning, similarities in the structure of the cities are applicable to those of Philadelphia.
Displacement of minorities is a common practice within both cities. In Atlanta, the construction of the Interstate Highway System during the mid-20th century led to the displacement of many black communities and reinforced racial boundaries within cities. There’s differences in the qualities of the community depending on what demographic majorly resides in the section. The article emphasizes the efforts done to keep minorities in undesirable neighborhoods. From my own experience I usually see demolition sites, overcrowded homes and apartments, and overall unpleasant living conditions in comparison to suburbs of Philadelphia. With the gentrification that happens in both cities, black people are being moved from their homes for new and improved houses to be built that aren’t affordable to people in the minority community.
Regarding the history of Atlanta and its predominantly black population, the current demographic distribution challenges the original segregationist intentions of the suture of the city. Majority of the population of Downtown Atlanta is the black community while I can’t say the same for Philadelphia. I’ve noticed that Philadelphia has changed tremendously since my younger days, especially deep within Center City. The homes have started to lose their character that represented the different sections of the city. Eviction and renovation notices are plastered along most brownstone homes that are left in the city. The majority race that resides in Center City are white Americans (non hispanic). Gentrification has taken away homes from the black community not only due to renovation but also creating communities unaffordable for original residents to stay. It’s also taken away from the beauty of the city replacing homes with gray tone apartment complexes.
The article sheds light on the historical impact of segregation on urban planning and demographics in cities like Atlanta, revealing how past discriminatory practices continue to shape communities today. It highlights the lasting social, economic, and environmental effects of infrastructure projects that were used to segregate neighborhoods by race. The displacement of minorities and reinforcement of racial boundaries through urban development have led to disparities in living conditions and opportunities for marginalized communities. This commentary underscores the ongoing challenges faced by minority populations in cities like Philadelphia and Atlanta, particularly in the face of gentrification and housing affordability issues.
Hey Morgan! I want to start by saying that your AI-generated picture captures and signifies your article, secondly, your analysis of the demographics and historical context of urban neighborhoods in your city is comprehensive and thought-provoking. You effectively draw parallels between Atlanta and Philadelphia, demonstrating how similar patterns of displacement and gentrification have unfolded in both cities. Your observations about the impact of gentrification on minority communities, as well as the changing character of urban neighborhoods, highlight important social and economic dynamics shaping the urban landscape.
Morgan I really love the connections that you make between race and location in todays time as well as the past. Displacement is a topic that I also discussed in my writing and how a lot of black people were cast to very impoverished communities while white people got the chance to gentrify black peoples old homes. You were very thorough in your writing and specifically, I was drawn to the picture of your article. I find it very symbolic with the black woman looking down on the buildings.
Morgan I was particularly drawn to your post because of your image and your title. I love how you have a black girl looking at the city because there is an unwritten analogy of how looking at the world through the racial lens is different from others. What made you want to use this image to represent your post? What did the image represent to you? If I were to have a suggestion, I would say to incorporate more about how this makes you feel. Other than that, I love how you made the connection between Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Morgan, Your thoughtful observations about the demographic patterns and inequalities present in different neighborhoods within cities like Philadelphia and Atlanta truly capture the insidious legacy of systemic racism and segregation that Kruse’s article explores. You make an excellent point that the current makeup of urban communities may have been premeditated long ago through discriminatory practices like redlining, displacement of minority groups, and strategic infrastructure projects aimed at reinforcing racial boundaries.
The Implementation of your firsthand account of witnessing the stark differences in living conditions and community resources between minority neighborhoods and more affluent, predominantly white areas is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of these historical injustices. The phenomena you describe, such as overcrowded housing, unpleasant living environments, and the displacement of minority residents through gentrification, are disheartening manifestations of the systemic oppression and marginalization that Kruse unpacks in his article.
Your commentary serves as a powerful reminder that the legacies of slavery, segregation, and racism are not mere historical footnotes but rather have profoundly shaped the very fabric of our modern cities and communities. By encouraging us to look beyond the surface and recognize the deep-rooted systemic issues at play, your insights align with Kruse’s call to critically examine the hidden connections between past injustices and present-day realities. It is through this kind of critical analysis and firsthand observation that we can truly begin to confront and dismantle the insidious roots of inequality that continue to shape our urban landscapes. such great work as always kween