2012 Articles

Political Machine or Kinship Together? The Cultural Making of Winners and Losers in Democratic Brooklyn’s Sectarian Subsidy Politics

Chai, Sarah; Chong, Catherine; Conway, Michelle; Hamilton, Andrew; Lara, Isaac; Sklaroff, Jeremy

This article seeks to understand why particular low-income ethnic communities resist gentrification and population displacements better than others. Drawing on a comparison between two neighboring communities in New York City, our research illuminates the underappreciated role of culture in how communities respond to gentrification. Our historical, political and quantitative case study suggests that some poor ethnic enclaves are culturally better-suited than others to interact with the local political structure. These communities use their political advantage to thrive on a steady flow of public resources and secure low-income housing in their neighborhoods. Cultural differences and varying levels of political clout become major variables for understanding the impact of gentrification on poor ethnic communities.