Stories from Brixton: Gentrification and Different Differences

Brixton is a South London inner-city area that belongs to the London Borough of Lambeth. Historically, the area has functioned as a point of settlement for successive waves of post-war migration from the Caribbean basin. During the last decades, significant numbers of African migrant groups have settled in the area too. The ethnic mix of Brixton has been further diversified by more recent waves of migration from Central and Eastern Europe, but also, refugees from many conflict areas around the globe. In short, Brixton today is one of the most ethnically diverse areas of London and 'home' to a number of different ethnic communities and individuals. Narrative studies, which reflect on people's experiences and life stances, advocate that life and experience become meaningful through narration and story-telling (Rosenthal 1993, Widdershoven 1993, Chase 1995, Josselson 1995, Hollway & Jefferson 1997). Following such an analytical direction, this paper is a narrative analysis of the social world of Brixton. It investigates local gentrification's attitudes towards different differences and the urban vernacular milieu. More particularly, this narrative investigation takes place through the close examination of local life-stories and life-worlds as told by people themselves.