There goes the neighborhood!

In my opinion, the term “There goes the neighborhood” can be looked at in both a negative and positive way. When a person uses this phrase, they might refer to the disapproval of a newcomer who sets some example for change in the environment. They would be saying that their current social system is being taken from them before their eyes. This phrase can also be looked at as a good change for the neighborhood. The community might not approve of the current system in place, and be happy that a change is coming.

New arrivals aren’t always a bad thing, but in the case of the Native Americans and the Spaniards, they were. Columbus and his men came to the USA in search of claiming new land. They stripped the Native people of their cultures and religion. They forced them to convert to Christianity or they were killed. They brought over new crops that would eventually replace the old ones. In addition to taking the Native peoples land, they treated them poorly. They portrayed them to be evil people, when they were nothing but welcoming. On Columbus’ first trip to America, he treated them with respect, only to return and  take their land, gold, and enslave them. The Native Americans would be able to say, “There goes the neighborhood!”