The Burning Question

The burning question for those that lived through the anti-gentrification struggle in the Lower East Side in the late 80's and early 90's is how could it have ended differently? Could we have WON anything? We slowed the progress of development and gave the old freak neighborhood a few more years of life, but could we have WON? Clearly the LES needed to be revitalized, but how could this have been done without rich developers? Could it have remained a PEOPLE'S Lower East Side? What alternatives did we have to offer, in terms of future housing and employment opportunities for our side, the people? These are issues I think need to be addressed. These are the questions I took from the whole experience.

Artwork by Seth Tobocman from an old 'Housing Solidarity Network' flier. I think it's from 1991, but don't quote me on that.