Neoliberalism has taken a toll on my Flatlands neighborhood slowly but surely. I remember when I was a child I would go to the deli with a dollar and get 2 bags of chips, a Caprisun and cookies. Nowadays if i go to the deli with dollar I could only get a bag of chips for 75 cents and maybe some candy. Another example would be my local Chinese food spot. Throughout my whole life it was accustomed for me to eat Chinese food every Friday. I would usually order the same thing: Chicken & Broccoli with white rice for 5 Dollars. I’ve noticed every year the prices steadily go up…… $5.50 to $6 to $6.50 to $10 dollars as of today. The inflation of food prices have been detrimental to my community and I believe neoliberalism is the focal point of the problem.
Another example of how Neoliberalism has effected my community is through the instillation of big time corporations where small business’ were once established. This is due to the increase in gentrification and the popularity of the neighborhood as you have access to many shopping stores and restaurants. Even the streets with small business’ by my old high-school was shut down in hopes of expanding the community. They replaced these business’ with a CVS, Modells and Planet Fitness.
The instillation of big time retail corporations by my highschool relates to Dickinsons article with the hegemonic projects in business’ taking over Graffiti projects across the city. These Graffiti projects were overruled due to laws established against the use of Graffiti and media companies taking a stance against the use of graffiti. This also relates to Dickinsons article because it shows how people ranked higher in the social class structure such as the government or rich have more power than your regular citizen.
I agree with you that neoliberalism has caused inflation that raised the price of many products in our society. It is frustrating that with the same amount of money, you can no longer buy the same amount of things. Due to the free market economy, some businesses can set unreasonable prices.
Hi Javon!
I agree with you and have seen spaces being taken up by big corporations. I also like how you related your observations with the text, that because of the social class structure regular citizens are ruled over by the rich. To add on, I really realted to your specific example about your local Chinese food spot. I have also noticed the gradual increase in prices happening every year at the place I usually get Chinese takeout.