Inklings 2023

Gray as cracked concrete lining the neighborhood, forgotten yet beloved enough to attract inopportune money and prospectors. Shotgun homes cower in fear, afraid their foundations might slip away. While iridescent old grays shine through their alleyways, they know that money talks. They know that money talks. Painting over gray, throwing culture away. Stores, chained instead of on corners. Stores, claimed for their bricks and mortar. “Progress,” the money murmurs, “is what I seek” But progress is a bitter fate To the people who owe nothing, yet must pay. GENTRIFICATION Rogelio Munoz-Franco ’23 51