Gentrification

I can’t find any tears to illustrate what I see behind the black gate
I stand behind mine, white, looking across the street
Watching the older stiff man adjust his pants face down at his feet
She in raspy smokers voice unashamedly says come back soon
As he gets in his brand new caddy and speeds off to his lunch meeting at noon

Teal paint with rotting wood trim doesn’t exactly scream luxury efficiency
But before long urban renewal will relocate these weekly tenants sufficiently
The neighborhoods more than glad to watch them leave
Not really caring where they go as long as their not across the street
Well, as long as they’re not in the same school zone, cause God forbid our children have to meet

And what really scares me, is that I can’t find any tears to illustrate what I see behind the black gate
Cause my property value is going up when the prostitutes and drug dealers are pushed out
And my future children will be surrounded by other privileged inner city children
Which unfortunately statistically means they’ll receive a better education than the other kids pushed around by gentrification

What’s gentrification? It’s not a vacation, it’s more like the weight of a self centered nation leaning on you, pushing you from somewhere that you don’t want to be to a place that makes your current reality seem almost happy

But that’s just the system, that’s just the way it works right
Twenty years ago if you had money you moved out of the city, I think they called it the great white flight
But suburbia’s busted, boredom dulls comfort and safety’s a facade
So while property’s hot, the whitey’s want back there original lot
And yeah it’s a shame that you’re gonna have to move, but at least you don’t have much to take with you
Don’t worry we can build equally shitty government housing west of 95
So you can carry out your pathetically sad, bitter lives
Oh, if you have any questions, please speak with your counsel person
I’m sure their satisfied with their district, not seeking a more prestigious position
After all we’re only talking about a little gentrification