Which Way, L.A.?
Racial Identity and Real Estate
The gentrification debate has taken a new turn in one historic Los Angeles neighborhood. View Park has been called the "Black Beverly Hills." It's nearly 84 percent African American now, but an effort to place View Park on the National Register of Historic Places could entice yet more white home buyers and erode its cultural integrity as a haven for affluent black families.
By Barbara Bogaev • • 27m ListenView Park is an unincorporated neighborhood in LA County just south of Baldwin Hills. It's one of LA's most beautiful neighborhoods, with quiet, curving, tree-lined streets, gorgeous views and star map worthy homes. Now, it's also the setting for a battle over gentrification, historic preservation and racial identity. Currently 84 percent African American, a recent influx of white home buyers has some old-time residents calling the gentrification card. Meanwhile there's a push to put the “Black Beverly Hills” on the National Register of Historic Places, which opponents say will just contribute to the demographic shift already dividing their community. Guest host Barbara Bogaev looks at racial identity and real estate.
Photo: Ray Charles is one of many African Americans who've called View Park home. (Victor Diaz Lamich)
