Gentrification is a Fuzzy Word
Students investigate how gentrification is affecting the Red Hook area.
In 2000, a large number of white residents moved into Brooklyn. According to the New York census, the population of white residents in Brooklyn increased by 38,774 between 2000 and 2010. This increase was particularly significant in neighborhoods located along the East River waterfront. The area was initially designated for low-income New Yorkers, but it has become one of the most costly neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
During the summer of 2023, teaching artist Asa Mendelsohn collaborated with students from the Red Hook Community Justice Center to explore the changes in the neighborhood and the effects of gentrification in the Red Hook area. The students surveyed local community members and interviewed experts and stakeholders to better understand the issue. They asked questions such as: What is gentrification, and why is it happening in Red Hook? Who benefits from gentrification in Red Hook? And at whose expense?
Using film techniques, the students created a documentary highlighting the effects of gentrification in the area.
Watch the video!
Project Collaborators
Red Hook Community Justice Center
Leslie Gonzaga, Director of Youth and Community Initiatives
Santiago Briones, Program Associate
Students
Pre-production Workshop:
Hooriya Aamir
Britney Benito
Stefanie Clay
Otoniel Cruz
Destiny Defreitas
Kymiyah Dudley
Chistina Graves
Jaleya Graves
Unique Hoyte
Jaylen Lorenzo
Chassidy Lucas
Airihanna Martinez
Mya Nunez
Nesean Smith
Jayla Sostre
Karen Velecera
Production Workshop:
Brandon Aquino
Boubarcar Bah
Brittney Benito
Jaqueline Hernandez-Meza
Sanjida Jahan
Sunny Jahan
Rokia Kone
Saniya M.
Cesar Ramirez
Nataly Ramirez
Genesis Tapia
Johana Tapia
Karen Velecela
Zamori Prince
Post-Production
Britney Benito
Kimberly Garcia
Jaqueline Hernandez-Meza
Sanjida Jahan
Sunny Jahan
Rokia Kone
Genesis Tapia
Johana Tapia
Funding Support
Major support for this program was provided by Brooklyn Org.
Special Thanks
Chris Walters, Kelly Anderson, Tabitha Julien, Tom Angotti