A Conversation that Became an Education

Recently I had the opportunity to share in a personal conversation with an African-American Imam. I didn’t know what to expect, yet planned on it being an interesting conversation. I had many questions floating through my mind, yet wondered what exactly we would discuss.

The Imam was a retired public servant who lived and served in the city. He was an author as well as a leader in his community. I found him warm and welcoming with a firm handshake and worn out, yet compassionate eyes. We met at a local eatery in the city at the invite of my associate pastor, she had already had multiple opportunities to speak with and get to know the Imam. After sharing pleasantries and sipping on coffee and tea for a while, my associate had to leave to attend another meeting, and I stayed to continue the conversation. 

It was at this point the conversation markedly changed. The Imam turned to me, looked me in the eyes and asked me a question in which I was not prepared. He said, “What do you think of gentrification in the city?” I had experienced some conversations around this topic in other big cities in which I had lived and knew this could be a loaded question. I shared a bit of what I had experienced in Portland and Detroit, but asked for clarification from his point of view. That is when the Imam said, “I have been doing some writing on how gentrification is the new Jim Crow.”

At that moment, as a white man, I became very silent. He explained that gentrification is no different than “white and black only” water fountains from our American history. I asked him to explain. Quickly our conversation became an education. No longer was this simply an exchange of pleasantries between two people who just met, this was more of a charge to me as a white man to “fight the system.” 

The Iman explained with great passion that “white business men” have come into his own neighborhood on several occasions. They come with what seems to be good intentions, wanting to help, wanting to get to know the people, even wanting to worship with them. After some time, they begin to talk about buying abandoned property in the community, as well as, empty lots. Then they begin talking to the elderly in the community. The Imam said that these are people that have worked their entire lives to simply own this small piece of property. Most have no retirement and very little, if any, income. Their sole possession is their home. 

Soon the “white business men” ask if the elderly would be willing to sell their homes so they can make their community better. Most of them say no, because they have lost a great deal in their lives and do not want to lose their greatest asset. The Imam emphasized that in America the one thing that is guaranteed is that people can own land or property. The “white business men” usually leave after these conversations and are not seen for quite some time. 

Instead “city home inspectors” show up to these elderly people’s doorsteps to discuss improvements they need to make on their homes. Whether this is legal or not, the Imam was clear that it was happening. Most of the time this is confusing and overwhelming for the elderly people. The items these inspectors find are many and varied and often have a high cost attached to them. The Imam actually spoke of this happening to him, where he was to replace the sidewalk from his front door to the city side walk – the cost was about $800 out of his pocket. He also described others in his community who had to fix gutters, replace doors, and paint their homes. Knowing that they do not have the funds to make the fix-ups, the elderly seek other options. 

Soon the “white business men” return to the neighborhood encouraging the elderly residents to consider nursing care or assisted living. They suggest new facilities being built in their area with brochures and all. The Imam pointed out that one way for the elderly to solve their distress is to sell their homes to the “white business men” which guarantees them assisted care and a home until they leave this world. 

Almost forced into a last chance scenario, the elderly sell their homes, move into assisted living facilities, and the process of gentrification is complete in the communities from where they came. The elderly are moved out into new residents administered and owned by “white business owners” and their communities now become “safe spaces” for new businesses and housing to be built – at least that is what the “white business men” say.  

“This,” the Imam said, “is the new Jim Crow.”  White people have their spaces (including ones that had at one time been black communities) and black people are placed in spaces controlled by “white business men.”

Let’s admit it, assisted living and nursing care are big business in our state and country. This conversation has made me wonder if we ever considered that what may look like help and taking care of people is, yet again, stripping the life from the black community? 

I am sure some will categorize this under classism and/or racism, yet maybe, we have simply found a new way to do what “white business men” have been doing since landing on this continent – stripping people of their dignity, culture, and community life and putting them where “white business men” want them to be. History shows that it has happened to the First Nations People, the Asian people, the Latino people, the LGBTQ people, and the list could go on, and it seems it is continuing among our Black brothers and sisters.

May we listen, have better conversations, and stand up for the dignity, livelihood, and communities of those in which we share this country.  As the Iman said to me,

“If you really want peace in this world, then fight the system

that is destroying that peace for us.”

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By Bob Henry, Pastor of Indianapolis First Friends