International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET)

Volume 11, Issue 11, November 2020, pp. 2556-2562 Article ID: IJARET_11_11_254
Available online at https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJARET?Volume=11&Issue=11
ISSN Print: 0976-6480 and ISSN Online: 0976-6499
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/NKS

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

NAMES BEHIND THE NUMBERS:

HUMANIZING RACIAL SEGREGATION,
GENTRIFICATION, AND REVERSE
GENTRIFICATION IN A RAISIN IN THE SUN
(1958) BY LORRAINE HANSBERRY AND IN ITS
SEQUEL, CLYBOURNE PARK: A PLAY (2011)
BY BRUCE NORRIS
Dr. Reshmi K
Assistant Professor of English (UA),
PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

Dr. D. Kausalya
Associate Professor of English, (UA),
PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT
Gentrification is a common social phenomenon in a place where change is forced
in the name of progress and development. Gentrification as well as reverse
gentrification becomes a social problem when social realities like racial residential
segregation is factored into the process. While this problem is approached
demographically in general parlance, literature approaches this contemporary social
issue humanistically. In capturing this phenomenon, American playwrights Lorraine
Hansberry and Bruce Norris, despite writing their works half-a-century apart, have
presented how the essence of the problem itself remains the same. This article – “Names
behind the Numbers: Humanising Racial Segregation, Gentrification, and Reverse
Gentrification” - aims at understanding how Lorraine Hansberry has approached the
problem of reverse gentrification in her play, A Raisin in the Sun and how Bruce Norris
has extrapolated the storyline to capture the contemporary social landscape and the
process of gentrification in his play, Clybourne Park: A Play, which is a sequel to the
former play by Hansberry.
Key words: Contemporary, Demographic, Gentrification, Humanistic Approach,
Racial Residential Segregation, Reverse Gentrification, Social Issue.

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 Names behind the Numbers: Humanizing Racial Segregation, Gentrification, and Reverse
Gentrification in A Raisin in the Sun (1958) by Lorraine Hansberry and in its Sequel,
Clybourne Park: A Play (2011) by Bruce Norris

Cite this Article: Reshmi K and D. Kausalya, Names behind the Numbers: Humanizing
Racial Segregation, Gentrification, and Reverse Gentrification in A Raisin in the Sun
(1958) by Lorraine Hansberry and in its Sequel, Clybourne Park: A Play (2011) by
Bruce Norris, International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and
Technology (IJARET), 11(11), 2020, pp. 2556-2562.
https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJARET?Volume=11&Issue=11

1. INTRODUCTION
Displacement has always been a traumatic experience to people throughout history. Numerous
factors influence displacement including political, ethnic, geographic, and conflict, etc, but
economics appears to be a common factor for human displacement both voluntary and
involuntary, and both at the macro level and micro level. Gentrification, as part of urban town
planning, continues to be an important factor in displacing families from a neighborhood at the
micro level causing tensions at the small community level, which often goes unnoticed by the
main stream monitoring agencies until it becomes widespread. But, there is no denying the fact,
that gentrification affects individuals and families at various levels including personal, familial,
and societal levels.

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Literature, as it always does, records this aspect of human experience (traumatic), and as usual,
enlivens it by adding the human story into an otherwise numerical data. Gentrification, which
on paper, is a demographic change brought out by redefining a community, especially its
neighborhood for various reasons, of which economic advantage stands primary, can be
devastatingly traumatic at the humanistic level, and literature captures the essence of the pain
and struggle involved in the process of gentrification. This article aims at analyzing how
literature captures the essence of the humanistic aspect of this process by studying two plays
namely, A Raisin in the Sun (1958) by Lorraine Hansberry and in its sequel, Clybourne Park:
A Play (2011) by Bruce Norris.

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Gentrification is the process of introducing new members into an existing community for
various reasons including political (for social upliftment), economic (for real estate advantage),
social (for improved standard of living), cultural (for seeking new identity), etc. However, the
process commonly involves inserting affluent businesses and residence to alter the
characteristics of the neighborhood in order to increase the value of real estate (West 1).
Gentrification often results in demographic displacement thereby raising social concerns. At
the economic level, gentrification makes housing expensive. At the socio-cultural level, it
causes imbalance in the racial and ethnic composition and creates communal tensions (Harrison
& Jacobs 23).
Gentrification in recent times in the context of the United States of America refers to the
process of heavy investment in an otherwise low-income residence community in order to boost
the amenities of the locality (NCRC). Gentrification often leads to displacement. There is a
marked changed in the demographic characteristic feature of the community. Gentrification in
the United States is often aimed at increasing the value of real estate which invariably becomes
detrimental to the lower-income-class residents who would then be forced to move out of the
community.

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 Reshmi K and D. Kausalya

Race as a demographic data becomes significant in the process of gentrification in the US

(Kirkland 18). The demographics of the large and small cities of the United States is clearly
demarcated into white and black neighborhoods. Therefore, any gentrification would naturally
constitute white families moving into a predominantly black neighborhood, or vice versa (Goetz
1591). While white neighborhoods are mostly of higher-income communities, black
neighborhoods are usually lower-income neighborhoods. Therefore, while black families move
into white neighborhoods, the problem of crime, rejection, and racial discrimination results out
of the process (Kirkland 21). On the other hand, when white families move into black
neighborhoods, it results in displacement of the lower-income black families from the
neighborhood. Both the plays chosen for this study record the change, rather the anticipation of
the change when families of different races decide to move into the neighborhood where they
would be marginalized.
In the first play, A Raisin in the Sun, a black family decides to move into a white
neighborhood, and the second play, which is the sequel to the first play (written by a different
author some fifty years later) stages a white family trying to move into a black neighborhood.
Both the plays focus on a place called Clybourne Park, which begins as an area for white
community of working-class families in the first play, and in fifty years of time, owing to
various factors not mentioned, becomes the dwelling of a black community. The conflict that
might arise when situations are created forcing the two races to closely interact with each other
is presented in the chosen plays. While Hansberry had focused on a pathetic but determined
black family to move into an individual house, Norris focuses on racial discrimination as it is
covertly practiced even in recent times in spite of people appearing to behave in a politically
correct manner.
As gentrification is aimed at perceived material progress in terms of improving the
neighborhood, in the racial context, it is generally seen as white families that are affluent
moving into a lower-income residential neighborhood which is commonly characterized as
black communities. Therefore, any black family moving into a white neighborhood is viewed
as reverse gentrification, or decline, and white families moving into black neighborhood is seen
as gentrification (Sumo & Lambert 1). Therefore, the moving of the Younger family in the play
A Raisin in the Sun is viewed as reverse gentrification, and the white couple planning to move
into the Younger’s residence in Clybourne Park in the second play is viewed as gentrification
in the context of racial residential segregation.
Racial Residential Segregation has been a social problem in the United States of America
ever since slavery was gradually abolished, letting black families to earn their income and settle
in a community. Even though slavery disappeared widely, racial discrimination continued in
the American society, and it was heavily present in residential segregation. Even today racial
residential segregation prevails in the country (Boustan). Both the plays chosen for this study
deal with the reality of racial residential segregation at the individual and familial level. Racial
tensions continue to color the interaction between the white people and the black people
especially in moving into a neighborhood.
A house is more than a shelter. It is a symbol of social status. It is the ambiance in which
the younger generation of a family grows up. Therefore, owning a house becomes a dream for
human beings, and owing to the cost of owning a house, the dream becomes a big dream, much
like it was for Younger Senior who dies without fulfilling his dream. However, the insurance
money that his death brings into the family finally provides the finance to the Younger family
to buy a house. In the words of the mother character, the wistfulness of owning a house by a
black family is revealed:
I remember just as well the day me and Big Walter moved in here. Hadn't been married but
two weeks and wasn't planning on living here no more than a year. (She shakes her head at the

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 Names behind the Numbers: Humanizing Racial Segregation, Gentrification, and Reverse
Gentrification in A Raisin in the Sun (1958) by Lorraine Hansberry and in its Sequel,
Clybourne Park: A Play (2011) by Bruce Norris

dissolved dream) We was going to set away, little by little, don't you know, and buy a little
place out in Morgan Park. We had even picked out the house. (Chuckling a little) Looks right
dumpy today. But Lord, child, you should know all the dreams I had 'bout buying that house
and fixing it up and making me a little garden in the back—(She waits and stops smiling) And
didn't none of it happen. (Hansberry Act I Scene II)
When the Younger family gets the finances for buying a house, they face the problem of
racial residential segregation. The cheapest house on the block that they can afford happens to
be in a white neighborhood, and it bothers the family as well as the white community when
they learn about the Younger family’s decision to buy a house in their neighborhood. The
reaction of the Younger family on hearing the news of their new house is recorded thus:
MAMA (Frightened at this telling) Well—well—it's out there in Clybourne Park—
(RUTH'S radiance fades abruptly, and WALTER finally turns slowly to face his mother with
incredulity and hostility)
RUTH Where?
MAMA (Matter-of-factly) Four o six Clybourne Street, Clybourne Park.
RUTH Clybourne Park? Mama, there ain't no colored people living in Clybourne Park.
MAMA (Almost idiotically) Well, I guess there's going to be some now.
WALTER (Bitterly) So that's the peace and comfort you went out and bought for us today!
MAMA (Raising her eyes to meet his finally) Son—I just tried to find the nicest place for
the least amount of money for my family. (Hansberry Act I Scene III)
On the other hand, the white neighborhood is worried about a black family moving into
their community. They are afraid of new problems emerging in their neighborhood because of
the Youngers and therefore, they send their representative to buy out the house from the
Youngers. Racial residential segregation at the microcosmic level within communities is rather
blatantly expressed in the words of Lindner:
LINDNER Well—you see our community is made up of people who've worked hard as the
dickens for years to build up that little community. … honest people who don't really have much
but those little homes and a dream of the kind of community they want to raise their children
in. … you've got to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the
neighborhood he lives in a certain kind of way. And at the moment the overwhelming majority
of our people out there feel that people get along better, take more of a common interest in the
life of the community, when they share a common background. I want you to believe me when
I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn't enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne
Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our
Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities. (Hansberry Act I Scene
III)
Fear perceived because of racial prejudice is the primary cause for apprehension in the
minds of the white people in keeping their communities free of black families. They often and
comfortably point out to certain untoward incidents that had happened elsewhere in the country
to justify their discrimination, conveniently disguising it with their thoughts about the safety
and security of the black families involved. Hansberry brings out this pretentiousness clearly in
the play through the words of Lindner: “I am sure you people must be aware of some of the
incidents which have happened in various parts of the city when colored people have moved
into certain areas” (Hansberry Act I Scene III). And even through the mouth of a black woman:
“JOHNSON (Lifting her head and blinking with the spirit of catastrophe) You mean you ain't
read 'bout them colored people that was bombed out their place out there?”

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 Reshmi K and D. Kausalya

The fear of violence and crime is not a concocted reason for concern for both the parties
involved – the white community and the black family that was moving in. Even researchers,
policymakers, and social observers feel that gentrification or reverse gentrification, any action
that is perceived to disturb the balance of a neighborhood has the potential to create violence
and increase crime (Tatiana). However, according to a 2020 review of existing research,
gentrification leads to a reduction in crime in gentrifying neighborhoods (MacDonald & Stokes
137). The United States of America is a country that has a racially segregated social
establishment. Therefore, every aspect of social existence including housing will be affected by
the phenomenon. Gentrification or reverse gentrification would also be affected and would be
perceived in terms of racial discrimination. Hansberry portrays the reality of the situation in the
1950s as white people continued to disregard the lives of black people, refusing to acknowledge
that black people will also have similar dreams as that of the white people (Carter 19).
The socioeconomic disparity that prevails in the American society, especially in the form
of affluent white neighborhoods and impoverished black neighborhoods, had a profound impact
on the practice of residential segregation. Any black family moving into a white neighborhood
would invariably signal the devaluing of the neighborhood in terms of house pricing. At the
same time, the fear of disturbing the communal harmony is also a cause for concern on part of
the white communities. If reverse gentrification continues to cause such social and economic
problems in the society, gentrification also brings new problems into the community as
presented in the second play chosen for the study - Clybourne Park: A Play.
The most common adverse effect caused by gentrification of a neighborhood is
displacement for the black or low-income families (Ding & Hwang 2). The second play,
Clybourne Park: A Play, highlights how a white family is keen on the economic benefits of
housing, and continue to display insensitiveness to black people’s lives even after half-a-
century of time, in the year 2009. The white couple, Steve and Lindsey, along with their lawyer,
Kathy, are interested in executing their house plan with total disregard to the community’s
historical significance because that history belongs to the black community. While the first play
looks at reverse gentrification as a cause for unrest, the second play looks at gentrification as a
cause for the sabotage of history. In the second play, “It is a white couple hoping to renovate
the dilapidated space, robbing it of its historic edifice” (Heffernan).
The black family objects to the renovation of the house on the grounds of preserving history.
It is expressed in the words of Lena: “Some of which still exist. That's just a part of my history
and my parents' history--and honoring the connection to that history--and, no one, myself
included, likes having to dictate what you can or can't do with your own home, but there's just
a lot of pride, and a lot of memories in these houses, and for some of us, that connection still
has value, if that makes any sense?” (Norris 146) But the white couple does not look at the
value of the property in terms of history. They look at it only from the money aspect, and they
refuse to acknowledge the feelings of the black community. It is clear in the words of Steve:
“But, what I mean is--So, you don't literally mean... monetary value. Right?” (147)
Any disturbance to the balance of the demography of a neighborhood is viewed as
detrimental by the people who live in the community. Even after fifty years of time, the attitude
had not changed in the American society. In the first play, a black family tries to move into a
white community, and it is viewed as devaluing the neighborhood, and as a potential cause for
the increase in crime and violence. After fifty years, in the second play, when a white family
tries to move into a black neighborhood, it is viewed as a potential hazard to the nature and
historical importance of the place (Nolan 154). And, amidst such disturbed interaction, racial
discrimination remains the same, cloaking itself in different forms, especially under the
semblance of being politically correct. “It [the play] travels in territory often uncomfortable and
uncommon, but it reminds us that today’s problems are tomorrow’s history, and though the

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 Names behind the Numbers: Humanizing Racial Segregation, Gentrification, and Reverse
Gentrification in A Raisin in the Sun (1958) by Lorraine Hansberry and in its Sequel,
Clybourne Park: A Play (2011) by Bruce Norris

context may change, some conflict lingers” (Heffernan). The two plays show that nothing has
changed in fifty years of time (Barker 35).
Reverse gentrification in the American society called the White Flight occurred in the 1950s
and 1960s devalued real estates, creating new communities of low-income families out of
affluent white neighborhood. This was viewed as Urban Decay, or the Decline (Fayyad). Fifty
years later, when such black communities withstand the force of time and their places survive
as historical places of importance, gentrification creates havoc in such neighborhoods by
introducing affluent businesses and families that destroy the legacy of the neighborhood with
total disregard for the history and heritage (Freeman).

4. CONCLUSION
Gentrification is an emerging social phenomenon that is often looked upon as a controversial
community-building process. Some view it as beneficial to the society, and others view it as
harmful. Research conducted by sociologists provide mixed reviews. However, literature, as
usual, provides a humanistic story behind the processes of reverse gentrification and
gentrification and how they impact the individual, the family, and the community. Both the
plays bring out the complex dynamics involved in the demographic sensibilities of people in a
racially segregated American society. While Hansberry presents the conditions of the 1950s,
Norris depicts the condition of the 2000s, and both the plays show that racial discrimination
against the black continues to linger in the American society even in the time of politically-
correct behavior.

REFERENCES
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[10] MacDonald, John M., & Stokes, Robert J."Gentrification, Land Use, and Crime." Annual
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