NIMBYism With a Twist

Generally, the NIMBY label (not-in-my-back-yard) is applied to middle class suburban homeowners who oppose lower income housing in their communities. In the case of Brewerytown, PA, it is low-income minorities who are slow to welcome middle class whites. One longtime resident fears that the proposed construction of luxury townhomes will change the character of his community and displace older families. In his words, 'we're not anti-development. Our desire is to see this neighborhood become wonderful. The only difference between our desire and others is that we want to be here when that happens.'"