I totally understand what you're getting at, Tom -- and I don't mean for this to turn into an argument over semantics.
Chris Rock once astutely observed that "a man is as faithful as his options." I'll ask you to extend that line of reasoning to matters of socioeconomics and ethnic communities. Italian, Irish, and Portuguese East Bostonians of my generation have had educational, travel, and employment opportunities that are synchronized with changes in broader American culture. As a result, I've never "dated the girl down the block." And the kids that I grew up with, many still in the neighborhood, have had similar experiences. This isn't cultural dilution -- it's evolution.
Neighborhoods like Jeffries Point and Eagle Hill have gone through accelerated demographic shifts, due in the larger part to the expansion at Logan (footprint and capacity) and other malignant land uses. The infusion of newcomers in those enclaves is transformative. These are new voices to demand better, from elected officials, state agencies, corporate land-owners, and developers looking for a fast buck.
A similar demographic shift is just beginning in Orient Heights. Some people of my dad's generation are selling out (at a tidy profit); the more thoughtful among them see these changes as a net loss for the sense of community. But trust me when I tell you, this isn't about ethnicity, but the texture and vibe of the community. It's about actively seeking to know your neighbors, and the feeling of connectedness and shared fortune.
My greatest concern is the condo-ization of two- and three-family homes, and the effect on the housing market. An investor can purchase a three-decker for $800K, put in $200K in improvements, and sell off each unit for $600K. That's an attractive margin, but it removes a key rung on the property ladder for first-time homebuyers (in East Boston, largely Latinos with young kids).
