Activist Gentrifiers: Transforming Urban Politics in Latinx Communities

• In Event: Everyday Concerns: Housing and Transit Policy Causes and Consequences

Abstract

In the realm of urban politics, extensive research has shown how political protests in minority neighborhoods, where traditional political channels are often inaccessible, serve as platforms for marginalized voices challenging established power structures. Mexican-American neighborhoods, historically burdened by segregation, environmental injustices, urban renewal, and gentrification, provide a notable example. Over recent decades, however, these neighborhoods have economically evolved, giving rise to a unique political actor: the middle-class ethnic entrepreneur. This study focuses on three Latinx neighborhoods in the USA, introducing the concept of "activist gentefiers" to describe these individuals. It aims to understand how Latinx entrepreneurs influence urban political activism and cultural empowerment within the Latinx community through qualitative case studies involving interviews, observations, and document analysis. The research reveals that Latinx business owners significantly promote urban political activism by engaging in local politics, participating in planning processes, politicizing products and public spaces, engaging in informal policing, and establishing non-profits for community improvement. However, this activism also leads to intra-ethnic class conflicts, including accusations of "class betrayal," cultural exploitation, and community exploitation for economic gain, resulting in contentious local politics.

Author

• Yael Shmaryahu-Yeshurun, University of California, San Diego