“More Gentefication, Less Gentrification..”

After rereading the prompt for today’s blog, it reminded me of my favorite Netflix show called, Gentefication. To make it short, Gentefication consists of Mexican-American cousins working together to help support and save their immigrant grandfather’s taqueria from the claws of gentrification.It is not only the taqueria that is in risk of shutting down, but also neighboring grocery stores, bars and corner markets.  This takes place in Boyle Heights, giving insight on how gentrification not only affects the community and its culture, but also the hardship that is yet to come. Gentefication is a play on word of gentrification. ‘Gente’ in Spanish translates to ‘people.’ This show is a replica to what is going now– in real life; in the present.

Antonio Lopez is a victim of gentrification, much like many other families. His craftmanship of poetry is an amazing representation of what it is really like. His poem, Triptych of the Adobe-Cotta Army, delivers and conveys the raw emotions Lopez felt during these tough times. Lopez uses diction that may be considered “foul language” or “inappropriate.” How can one really deem this as “inappropriate” after what has happened to him and his family? A person who has never experience, should not try to have a say in this whatsoever. Lopez begins the poem with strong imagery, “My fingers are desperate / to unearth the ruins / of my countrymen (Lines 1-3.)” The countrymen is a representation of the victims. The second tercet continues what he discovered, “Only to find a Tesla / on the second floor / of our apartments (Lines 4-6),” and line 7, “— now a parking garage.” What was once homes to many families, is now a contributing factor to what has ruined, damaged and perhaps killed the soul, the livelihood, of what made the community great.

Another part of the poem that stood out to me, “Consider the clotheslines as a bandolier (Line 51).” In the poem, line 51 is separated from the following tercet stanza, which builds suspense. The two following, tercets “slung over ruined soldiers, / who’s uniforms still cling /  onto apartment balconies / Quien cedieron sus tierras / to raise the wrinkled flags / of blusas and neon vests (lines 52-57).” A bandolier is a piece of fabric, latched across the chest and body of a solider that carries ammunition. This reminds me of the Mexican-American War that resulted in Mexico handing over the Mexican Cession, and the Treaty of Hidalgo as evidence. Lopez ties the connection between the war and the present, as many families like Lopez’ have to struggle abundantly in order to survive. Many taking most jobs as laborers. It is as if Lopez is comparing gentrification and the community of “Latinidad” to battle of his ancestors and the “white forces” that long fought on the same land– many, many years ago.

Lines 64-66 holds a big impact overall, in my opinion. It goes like this, “All to nurse the newborn / with this vision, / Una vida mejor (Lines 64-66).” Lopez hits the target; the reasoning as to why so many immigrants from Mexico come here to the United States. Children of immigrants parents, are taught at a young age, that living here in the United States is the key to a better life. How can this be a better life if people like Antonio Lopez, are forced to flee their homes because they cannot meet their (those wanting to ‘improve the community) definition of what makes them a responsible citizen? They work day and night, having little to no sleep, to make ends meet and simply that is not enough?

The article published by Los Angeles Times, highly discusses why second-generation or the generation with college education, must give back to the communities they came from. Why our gente should help the community and keep the soul alive, to prevent gentrification from clashing down on the them.

Evelyn Hernandez