Blog 2

New York City is considered the epicenter for businesses in the world. With this in mind, it’s reasonable to assume the government and businesses/corporations would foster relations that put restructuring and “modernization” at the forefront of their agenda. Yet, these programs don’t proceed without a cost. As a resident of New York City, I’ve witnessed the lingering and current effects of neoliberalism within my neighborhood. Local stores and restaurants that used to be a common sight to see have been replaced with corporate chains along with the expansion of shopping and mall districts. Within the sphere of education, there has also been a rise in debate on standardized testing as arguments have been made towards it encompassing neoliberal ideas. Through the lens of a neoliberalist, students are more likely to be seen as customers than actual students, which then leads to pressing issues relating to tuition, affordability, costs of supplemental aid, etc.  In more recent times, the appearance of the Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the effects of neoliberalism. An example of this would be the price points of Covid tests, masks, and other necessities. The surge in the price of Covid tests, which were formerly free of charge, and other products demonstrate the unregulated privatization of a public commodity, or at least should be public, for the purpose of wanting to meet price margins. Maggie Dickinson’s essay, “The Making of Space, Race, and Place,” encapsulates these remarks of neoliberalism by referencing back to a period in NYC when it had entered a phase of “restructuring into a corporate mecca” (Dickinson 30) to cater towards the rich and upper-class population. Graffiti and its writers, unfortunately, became the scapegoats for this agenda, which ultimately emphasizes the government’s prioritization of businesses/corporations over the wellbeing of its people. Just as New York City was undergoing a change then, it continues to transform in ways, whether it be for better or worse.