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A review by rnfortier
The Gentrification of the Mind: Witness to a Lost Imagination by Sarah Schulman
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
This book left me conflicted. On one hand it was extremely informative and painted a deeply personal picture of a time in history that is definitely in need of more attention.
On the other, the first three chapters at times read like an exercise in absolving herself and white gay men from being the instigators to the gentrification of black and Latino communities of NYC. There is an over explanation that feels like a dodge of accountability, with the excuse of them being artists.
I also found some of her statements to be made so broadly but without any evidentiary backup either than her own personal lived experiences.
Regardless, the topics and people she introduces are important and I look forward to exploring the novels of people the author highlighted throughout.
On the other, the first three chapters at times read like an exercise in absolving herself and white gay men from being the instigators to the gentrification of black and Latino communities of NYC. There is an over explanation that feels like a dodge of accountability, with the excuse of them being artists.
I also found some of her statements to be made so broadly but without any evidentiary backup either than her own personal lived experiences.
Regardless, the topics and people she introduces are important and I look forward to exploring the novels of people the author highlighted throughout.