History
When Austin was segregated East Austin was part of the Negro District where most racial minorities lived. Austin was segregated by the Koch and Fowler city plan, the city’s plan to isolate African-Americans and other racial minorities so whites wouldn’t have to share schools and other public services with them.
Why people are moving to Austin
New residents tend to move to East Austin because it is near downtown and it’s also cheaper therefore driving out long time residents.
African-Americans and Latinos
A concern is the fact that the people being driven out of East Austin are mostly African-Americans and Latinos who have been living in these areas for decades and are now beginning to experience unaffordable housing that is forcing them out. Their cultures are slowly beginning to dissolve. There is a loss churches, neighbors and a community as people begin to move away. This isn’t the first time Austin has been in this situation. There was once an area in Austin that was called Clarksville which was a settlement of former slaves that later disappeared due to the Mopac Expressway. The area is now made up of luxurious houses and a highway.
Jumpolin Piñata Shop
With the decline in African-Americans in the city, East Austin is now predominantly Latino but it is slowly changing as the cycle continues and Latino businesses and homes are bought out by wealthier people. In February of 2015 the Latino community of East Austin was shaken by the overnight demolition of a local piñata shop without notice being given to the owners. The property was bought by Jordan French and Darius Fisher, owners of F&F Real Estate Ventures who claimed that the owners were, “probably making a livelihood selling helium and stolen bikes”. The situation with the piñata shop was definitely a spotlight for Austin’s existing racial issues and the realtors also claimed that the owners were “probably drug dealers”. As far as the cat café that took over the piñata shop’s property, it is up and running for business but are facing a law suit.
