Harlem has always been known as the “Black Mecca” of the U.S., famous for its richness in culture and music, where the most famous of individuals would be seen enjoying a good time on Sugar Hill. Over time, the richness withered into hardcore drugs and rising crime rates, dissipating the recognition that Harlem had. Redevelopment soared in the 8Os, reigniting the public’s interest in the neighborhood. After improvements were made on these issues, there was a salvaged interest that real estate industries and new commercial developers sought within Harlem. This had Harlem’s comeback labeled as a second renaissance…a revival of the neighborhood, however, the results of this time are seen to be a lot more detrimental than people think. Alongside the influx of interest that eventually improved the area and made it safer came a lot of cultural sabotage to those who owned Harlem first.

The Crown Jewel 

Harlem is a crown jewel of capitalism due to its “commercial activity.” Harlem was never meant to be predominantly African American, rather a tool for “financially stable and well-to-do” Euro-Americans to utilize, due to its transportation value and its “suburbia” feel. However, African Americans soon settled over there, causing an uproar of preexisting racial division. Despite all their-Americans’ efforts, African Americans still held their ground within Harlem, creating communities and culture to maintain unity. This led to the “prophecy” of James Weldon Johnson, which essentially claims African American Harlemites will not be able to hold the neighborhood together as it will soon become too expensive for them to live there.

“Inner cities” 

Inner Cities is a “code word” for areas that contain the most African Americans and people of color. Capitalism is targeting them for multiple reasons. A lot of factors go into this including the declining population of Euro-Americans, the lack of marketing strategies in suburban areas (or commercial oversaturation), the risk of trading with foreign countries due to their country’s political instability, and lastly, inner cities already contain the infrastructure to start businesses. In other foreign countries, it would cause America billions of dollars to implement the basics like health care, technological advancement, and so on. Due to the amount of commercial oversaturation, the government sees no other place but the inner cities. In addition, due to the increase in consumerism, it impacted the manufacturing of the economy negatively. The benefits of capitalism are not guaranteed because of “unreasonable consumer confidence,” which is when consumers spend more money than they earned, getting no savings.

Mecca of manhattan

In the article, “The New Harlem,” Charles Whitaker characterizes the early years of Harlem as being the Mecca of Manhattan.  The massive influx of tourists depleted as crime rates rose and the presence of hard drugs increased. He argues that when a new revolutionary revitalization of the neighborhood was up and coming, there was a pattern of low and mid-income individuals being “pushed out.” He introduces the idea that “the complexion of Harlem may be changing a bit too dramatic and that development may come at the expense of some of Harlem’s charm” to which he later debunks by reassuring that “historic preservation commission is in place to prevent” the loss of certain architectural buildings that make the culture in Harlem.

THE SELLING POINT

In the article, “Disappearing Acts: Capturing Harlem in Transition”, Robin Kelley provides an analytic connection between Alice Attie’s artwork and how it embodies “the strangeness of what is now being imposed on Harlem’s people and culture and the beauty of a community that refuses to disappear.” He insists that despite the changes that are being put on Harlem, in order to market the neighborhood, the culture and community are still alive within it. Attie’s artwork exemplifies numerous ways 125th has changed and despite that, Kelley believes, “no matter how many chain stores and coffee bars find homes on 125th street, Harlem’s essential selling point remains the authentic black experience.”  Specifically, Kelley argues that the “selling point” of Harlem is what is being pushed out. There is an obvious and overwhelming presence of black culture in Harlem, and for it to be used as a marketing tool but not being provided the benefits of these changes are not only putting Harlem in jeopardy but also the future of its people.