Week 11: "The New Neighbors"

A young man of color named Marshawn, is shoveling his neighbor’s snow. This act is a job for Marshawn, as he works during the winter shoveling the snow and mowing the grass during the summer. Most of his labor is dedicated to his local community so people are familiar with him. In school, Marshawn has many friends and his family loves him dearly. His dad is very wise and is a teacher in many of Marshawn’s life lessons. His sister is a gymnast and both her and Marshawn’s work ethic, ambition, diligence and intelligence is taken after their father.

The main story isn’t about Marshawn or his family; instead, it is about the events that took place one winter. While shoveling the snow during the harshest parts of winter, Marshawn takes notice of the people he is working for. Marshawn realizes that many members of his community are moving out and being replaced by white families. At the same time, news is going around that there is an increase in suicides. Specifically, people hanging themselves from trees. Marshawn’s dad advises him to not shovel the snow for the new neighbors because he believes that the suicides are lynchings, executed by the surflux of white people in their community. Marshawn reminds his father that shoveling snow is the only way he makes money since no business is hesitant to hire minorities. Regardless, his father says that his life isn’t worth any money and that he will look into these “suicides” to justify his speculation.

Gentrification is a word that becomes more relevant to Marshawn’s community, as his dad teaches him what it means. The neighborhood Marshawn grew up with is looking a lot different. The climax of the story occurs when one of Marshawn’s friend John, commits “suicide.” Marshawn is convinced that it is a lynching since John showed no signs that indicated he’ll take his own life one day. Marshawn urges his dad to move the family out of town and his father agrees. Still, it takes some time to leave so Marshawn is stuck in an area that now makes him uncomfortable. It’s not that Marshawn dislikes white people, it’s the fact that there is something suspicious about these white people. Part II coming soon….