Petey and Chase by Chesney Goodson
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Text is too small. Can’t read. Can’t even click on the cartoon to make bigger.
Hey Jason, there is a button to expand the image at the top right corner of the image. Sorry for the inconvenience.
As a WNC native who moved to The QC back in ’07/’08 when housing costs in Asheville were increasing at an obscene rate, Charlotte was way less expensive than here. We sold our home in Woodfin and found a 4br/2ba home in an established older neighbourhood with a huge yard in Charlotte. (It easily would have sold here for $400k and we paid $125k). We could easily walk to the grocery, schools, and other places of interest while hearing several languages spoken throughout the area.
We came back to get married in ’10 since most of our family and friends were still here. When we would visit, we used to make a game of counting the *non-white appearing* folks whilst strolling through downtown. Why? Well, because if it weren’t so devastating it was like walking into a vortex where the people of colour population has almost ceased to exist.
Asheville is not only white, its Titanium White and Black History is sadly becoming.. well, history.
My ex is a POC as are our children. Diversity matters in where we wanted to raise our family and the lack of it is sadly the reason his family never considered living here.
Life happens and I returned home in ’13 after I became chronically ill. I was aghast at the changes in just that short period of time. It looks more and more like a beer~guzzling, corporate tourist destination rather than the once vibrant, working~artist community it was. This is Home though and where my biggest support system is so I am making it work by house sharing a rental home. I am not sure how sustainable this is for the long term, but while my kids are in school I don’t want to make another major move.
We’ll see what the future holds… my children and I are shooting for it to be way more colourful.
I told you this before, the city is on the path of gentrifying anyone out that can’t pay. It’s as simply as that. Skin color is not a factor. But majority black neighborhoods are being literally bought out because the houses there are generally cheaper. Once one person moves in and does a remodel/upgrade, it’s simply a matter of time before the rest follow. West Asheville is but one example of a once majority white working class area that is booming now. That’s not racism but economics. And you’re right, it’s a corporate mecca now. Corporation only care about one color and that’s green And as I’ve said many times, the establishment here always look to Raleigh as a scapegoat when called out for their BS.
Now if you motive is to say that your skin color gives you advantages or disadvantages well that’s BS too. Cause unless schools are segregated then there is no inherent underlying intent to ensure certain people fail. But there is a distinct CLASS segregation and associated elitism that affects EVERYONE who is lower middle class and below. The system is rigged to keep people either in perpetual debt or in perpetual low wage jobs. Toss in the elitist here who raise taxes because they can afford them, well their real motivation is to get rid of everyone who isn’t in their socioeconomic class. And what you see as lack of diversity and assume is based on racist undertones is actually wealth discrimination. That’s why the area is becoming stale, underwhelming, and gentrified. It’s full of the same people with the same perspectives and the same economic status.
I am quite aware of the gentrification here, thanks.
I am acutely aware of systematic racism, thanks.
I am also very aware of classism, thanks.
I don’t make assumptions; I look at the data, but again, thanks.
You do got jokes though and give me a chuckle once in a while, so thanks for that, too.