Gentrification Stories

LONGLIVETHEKING

During the day, he's just nice calm Mihai, always looking out for the little guy and trying to find his place in the world. At night, it's more of the same, but as High Flyer, the apprentice to the Watcher, superhero guardian of New Thessaly. But is Mihai getting too old for the spandex or the restrictive hand of his mentor? What about when a new terror threatens the city? How about an old one? A reimagining of Batman and Nightwing's relationship, FIGHTING GRAVITY is a story about being who you are in a world who tries to limit you.

A collection of poetry written by a Puerto Rican woman who is Queens born, and Brooklyn raised. Though Rachel is a Bronx resident nowadays, New York and it's five boroughs are her favorite topic to write about. Poetry is the only way she's tried to make sense of all the emotional, cultural, and social influences she's been exposed to growing up. Onderdonk & Gates are the corner streets of where Rachel grew up. This chapbook is a testament to life as a minority, life through gentrification, and a love letter to all of New York. You can follow Rachel's work on www.rachelsfloetry.com or on Twitter @rachelsfloetry. Book cover credit goes to the amazing Chhvjhwr. Please check out their cover shop for more covers. Warning: There are a few poems that might have some mature themes/language, but most of them are okay for all ages.

The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb... Roneisha Gibson is a young woman navigating the streets of Austin. Businesswoman by day, hustler by night. Under her uncle's supervision and with the help of her cousin Boogie, Roneisha is practically running the city. She's living on top of the world. That all changes when a new man comes to town. From the moment Carter stepped foot into her life, Roneisha knew that he would change her world, though she never could've imagined herself falling for him as hard as she did. Nothing lasts forever, and Roneisha's happiness is no exception. When she is forced to make a choice between her family and the man she has grown to love, where will her decision leave her? 💎 ~ A Briana Sauls Original

Another collection of random poems I've recorded as they came to me. Please vote and comment on the entries that resonated with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts :)

New York is the city of dreams to some people. To others they see this city as a hell hole. This piece shows New York City from the perspective of an African American male surviving in a lower-middle class neighborhood. He expresses his feelings on the city and how people survive the everyday struggle. Stay Tuned vol.2

fading in and out of the layers of thought. 14 May 2015 2:43pm

The handpuppets who play their role inside the facade. Those who retreat without being responsible for their gentrification, gerrymandering, racism and fascism. There's no need to name names. That they may live in the infamy of shame of the words they uttered over their own lips.

Time, for better or worse ultimately always begets change. Zeke's Kitchen, a well-known Detroit, Michigan east-side Soul Food restaurant has been devastated by the closing of nearby automobile plants that have fueled its eatery for decades. The Woods family have owned and operated Zeke's since the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's. Since the passing of Ezekiel S. Woods, Sr. his beloved and devoted wife, Mrs. Tyla Woods, known simply as 'Mama' has run the historic business. Collapsing in front of her youngest daughter Silvia forces the estranged adult Woods children to unite for their mother and the fate of the struggling famed restaurant. Pompous and arrogant lawyer eldest son Ezekiel Woods Jr., successful advertising executive and flamboyant oldest daughter Maureen Woods, missing in action and troubled youngest son Kevin Woods aka Kwame and mousy, withdrawn, college student Silvia, along with their extended family and friends are reunited to face their demons and challenges that change begets their family.

What eight thousand dollars will buy you in 1981 ain't what it'll get you today.

Friends discussing the gentrification of the East side of town, and a body that has been found. Another death happens, another body found. But is it related to the first one?

This excerpt is taken from the first time collaboration between authors Ran Walker and Sabin Prentis. The original collection of short stories explores the lives of four people who occupy a brownstone in a heavily gentrified neighborhood in the city of New Hollis. Each of the stories in Floor Floors examine the intersection of gentrification, hip-hop, love, life, and how to make sense of it all. This excerpt is about a former DJ who is finding a new life after parole. This excerpt is featured with permission from Caps & Sneakers Studios in conjunction with Fielding Books.

A painting of a complicated city.

Tourists fall in love with Savannah as a relic of hospitality. Its residents are kind and affectionate, sweet like the tea they drink. Its live oak groves hang in history, its decadent estates preserved for posterity--it is a place of beauty. Trim, prim, poised and proper, Savannah is where Southern charm was born. With it, you can get away with murder just in time for Sunday brunch. Copyright 2016 All rights reserved.

The fireflies have always kept Jasmine safe in their haven. It was in this starry sanctuary that Jasmine mourned her father's death, and escaped the cruelty of the world. They were her friends when no one else would listen. Now, the fireflies' home is in danger, and Jasmine must say goodbye. When Sana, the magical guardian of the fireflies appears, she takes Jasmine on a romantic adventure through nature, turning a tearful end into a beautiful beginning.

A story of space colonization in reverse. It talks (or will talk) about how encounters change people, the zeal of converts, the disillusionment of the predestined, gentrification and class struggle, how the concept of "homeland" is relative, and how you can never bathe twice in the same river. About war, peace, love, death, industry, and art.