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Imani Dildy-White
Prof. Joy McDonald
English 102-14
February 7, 2017

A neighborhood that used to be known for its subsidized housing was torn down, and

renovated. This renovation gave the area a facelift, and not only changed the neighborhood, but

slowly changed the area surrounding it. On the outside, the new superficial make-up of the area

may be appealing to the eye; conversely, a closer observation of whats happening on the inside is

deterring. What happens to the tenants who occupied the previously subsidized housing? And can

they afford the new cost of living that stemmed from this property rejuvenation?

The process described above is referred to as Gentrification. Gentrification is the process

of renovating a house, neighborhood, or district to project a middle-class flare. Within the last

decade gentrification has hit a peak. Gentrification has its benefits and its downsides. One may

believe that it is inevitable, and that the benefits of the process outweigh the negatives. To obtain

a clear understanding of the topic, two separate media that focused on the topics of gentrification

were observed and compared.

Sources were iconography and oral. The first medium is photography. The photo was

discovered within an online article on Urbandemos.com for college students. The image reads

Gentrification is the new colonialism stamped in blue ink along a concrete surface. The second

medium Is it Gentrification? Or Revitalization? is a podcast published by The Takeaway found

on WNYC. The podcast defines the process of gentrification and its relation to economic and

cultural concerns. Being visual, the first medium allows for a generous amount of personal
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interpretation. Being auditory, the second medium allows one to analyze and synthesize the

provided information.

Audience and Purpose

The online article in which the picture is featured was intended for college students. This

allows one to conclude that the image is also intended for college students. College students

tend to be mature and obtain experience in critical thinking. Critical thinking is important to

understand the meaning behind the characters stamped along the concrete. Two stand out words

in the image are gentrification and colonialism. The print is a direct statement relating the two.

The student must then recall everything that they know about colonialism. While doing so they

will remember that colonization involved forcing natives from their homeland, and calling it

their own, leading them to wonder what happens to the natives of the neighborhood, as it

becomes inhabited by new individuals. The student can then confirm that gentrification is the

present-day colonialism as they now have a clear understanding of the subject.

The podcast was posted on the WNYC website, which is Americas most listened to

online radio and podcast stream. The audience of this podcast based on its platform, moderate

length, and clear cut diction, is all United States citizens. Benjamin Grant, a director of SPUR,

defines gentrification by defining its related processes. He explains that there needs to be a

separation between gentrification and displacement. Displacement is one consequences of

gentrification, and it is in fact where the problem arises. The podcast ended as multiple citizens
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from all over the country, including Hawaii, explained how gentrification affected them and their

geography.

Both medias can inform and enlighten the audience about Gentrification. These sources

require the audience to stop, use their sense of sight, auditory glands and analytical skills. It takes

less than a minute to read the writing in the image and a minute to read in-between the lines.

Although, this media is not time consuming it is still very effective. Due to its simplicity, the

image lingers in ones head, as he can continue to analyze the image throughout the day and

recall the image when he notices examples of gentrification around him. The duration of the

podcast is seven minutes. The podcast is not solely effective because it states facts about

gentrification, but it supplements the viewers with a personal opinions and experiences from

those who called in. Unlike the photo, the podcast allows the audience to do more than perceive,

they can also view facts and the opinions of others.

Rhetorical Issues: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

In five words, and a basic background the image appeals to logos followed by pathos.

The image alludes gentrification to colonialism. One will refer to his knowledge of American

history. Colonialism is an actual period that occurred in America dating back to the early 1600s.

Following up with this allusion, one will think about those affected during the colonial America

era. This will gravitate the to ones since of empathy as one realizes that they currently inhabit the

land the once belonged to someone else and now the same currency driven process is occurring

again.
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Throughout the duration of seven minutes the podcast appeals to ethos, logos and pathos.

The guest speaker featured on this podcast is Benjamin Grant. Benjamin Grant is a director of

one of the leading United States civic planning organizations. His position alone, as a director in

the organization, gives him a sense of credibility and is furthermore supported by his diction,

philosophy, and use of facts. His use of logos is shown through the connection he constructed

between investments in urban communities and an increase in public safety. He also states that

after 85 years of abandoning cities citizens want to regress back to the city. The use of pathos

was revealed when the callers were allowed on the air and expressed their concerns that housing

was out of control and that property tax is high. Giving society a voice, allows viewers to

connect to those who called in on a personal level.

Both genres effectively include logos, which served as a root for the other appeals

included in the sources. These facts, connections and references bring the true meaning of

gentrification to life.

Structure and Style

The structure of the image is to the point. The message in the image is not hidden, in-fact

it is printed along the concrete in the image. The artist uses simple diction; conversely, his point

is still very affective. It allows the viewers to focus in on the topic and the gravity of the words

themselves.

The structure of the podcast is ordered in an educated sequence. The speakers first

definition to gentrification by breaking down the actual process and separating it from its

consequences which happen to be viewed as its counterparts. Benefits of this process was
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discussed to refute the negative cloud that circles the process of gentrification. Then the audience

was given a chance to have a voice. The diction of the podcast was didactic as the quest speaker

clarified what gentrification was, and why it is occurring rapidly in our country.

The orderly layout and information filled podcast requires more time to review; however,

proves more supplementary than the image. The image is essentially up to the viewer to interpret

and is based on viewer perception. The viewers perception of gentrification could possibly be

biased based on their views on colonialism.

Conclusion/ Synthesis

Thorough observation of both genres proves that they are reliable and effective to certain

extents. Although it is a low time consuming source, the image requires more from the audience.

The podcast spoon feeds the audience the information and doesnt require them to do anything

but reflect, if they fill the need. Both genres can leave an impact on the viewer; however, the

impact form the image would prove more psychological, whereas the podcast would be more

supplemental. The image ask audience to construct their own opinions about gentrification, and

the podcast gives them a choice. Due to this, the podcast proves to be more effective thorough its

didactic tone, spectrum of appeals and opinions from the audience.

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Works Cited

"Why Students Should Better Understand Gentrification: Serena Adlerstein of Know Your City Guest-

Blogs." Urban Democracy Lab. N.p., 26 Oct. 2015. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

"Is It Gentrification? Or Revitalization?" WNYC. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.