Tracking Racialized Gentrification-Induced Displacement of Indigenous African American Residents

Abstract

The disproportionate racial impact of gentrification-induced displacement is becoming more of a topic of debate because of the growing evidence and continued outcry of institutional and systemic racism from communities of color. The lack of research in tracking displacement requires new approaches to studying gentrification to address the challenges of investigating the impact on communities of color. In addition to studying the economic, political, and socially motivated reasons for gentrification, the application of a racism-centered framework can shed light on the role of white hegemony in community and urban development policies and practices. Social work researchers can significantly contribute to the body of literature regarding the impact of gentrification-induced displacement of African American residents by applying one of the many social work frameworks in research. Understanding the disproportionate racial impact of displacement on indigenous residents can inform social policies regarding community development strategies and propose interventions to mitigate the impact.