2022 - Los Angeleno

South Central Los Angeles Exudes Culture, But Can It Break The Black Monolith?

Calvin Dobbins September 13, 2022

Can a region’s geography stigmatize its reputation? South Central Los Angeles is pretty much the answer. The area is located within the city limits in the Southwestern part of LA County.

It’s a rectangular-shaped region placed like a puzzle piece in the heart of Los Angeles. According to a KCET report, it was renamed South Los Angeles in 2003. The area has undergone much unrest and racial oppression, which results in stereotypes by outsiders.

Who would forget the article published by the UK’s Daily Mail in September 2016? The derogatory headline with a subtle hint of racial slur writes about the area where the mother of Meghan Markle resides.

An excerpt from the article: “Plagued by crime and riddled with street gangs, the troubled Los Angeles neighborhood that Doria Ragland, 60, calls home couldn’t be more different to London’s leafy Kensington. But social worker Ragland might now find herself welcoming a royal guest to downtrodden Crenshaw after Prince Harry was revealed to be dating her daughter…...”

It shows that the British press fails to make a clear distinction between the geographical and historical aspects of South Los Angeles—a derogatory statement without much research. In reality, Meghan’s mother lives in the Crenshaw neighborhood of View Park, an affluent part of the region.

South Central LA has a population of over 800,000, which many assume are predominantly blacks. That’s what the outsiders think generally. However, the region comprises different races enriched with culture that needs to be embraced instead of sidestepping because of the stigma around it.

Can it break the stereotype? Many people paint this region badly because of its location. They often stigmatize the area or see it mainly as the African-American community. But beneath it, the place has a different story to offer.

Geographical Aspect Of South Los Angeles

The region is 51 square miles and has over twenty-five neighborhoods and five unincorporated areas. One of the attributes that makes this region invisible is because of the boundaries. It doesn’t have clean boundaries and determines mainly on the imaginary borders.

Take Historic South Central, a prominent neighborhood in the region that is 2.55 square miles. The area is bounded by Washington Boulevard, Vernon Venue, and Flower Street and runs along the historic Central Avenue to the east.

Central Avenue became the epicenter of African Americans after the 20^th century. The community-owned various business establishments and residences. It was also referred to as the “Black Belt of the city.”

Another instance is Tom’s Market- A one-story high brown brick building located at the center of the infamous 1992 conflict caused by the Rodney King trial’s verdict. It’s away from the intersection of Normandie and Florence Avenues.

It is situated within the imaginary borders of the South Central but geographically outside of the historic South Central. Leimert, Baldwin Hill, and Crenshaw neighborhoods are also located outside this perimeter.

Transcending Geographic Limit Through Race

South LA demographics have changed massively. The early 1970s saw South American immigrants relocating to this region. The 1980s saw street gangs becoming more powerful and dominant in different areas. These attributes made the outsiders paint this region as notorious or ghetto.

The Crenshaw Boulevard expands over twenty-three miles long with vehicles taking this route from Mid-Wilshire to North Via Central LA. The boulevard passes Crenshaw district, which includes affluent areas such as Windsor Hills and View Park. It ends in the Rolling area, which is also a wealthy location.

Regardless, anywhere there are African Americans, the east side of Interstate 405 is culturally called ‘South Los Angeles.’ It also comes with a subtle hint of derogatory remarks. The same can also be said for border cities such as Compton, Long Beach, and Inglewood, which share similar demographics. These cities are not part of South Central geographically.

Like in any place or area, the inhabitants of South LA live an ordinary life. Movies and pop culture may have shown a different image, but quite a contrast when it comes to reality. It’s not surprising that many have formed a notion of this region based on what they have seen in different forms of media.

Mr. Ronald, a writer and doctoral candidate comments that South LA differs from other parts of Los Angeles. He said it’s a region comprising multiple types of citizens holding different job positions from higher levels to a simple designation.

He also added the region is working class like any other neighborhood in Los Angeles. Furthermore, Ronald said that South LA is also home to well-known personalities like Ray Charles, Tina Turner, and Steve Wonder.

Amidst prominent personalities residing in this region, violence, crime, street gangs, and illegal drugs exist. Since the African-American became the face of South Central LA, the community has suffered from stereotypes the most.

However, when we refer to the 2000 census, Latinos are the majority, comprising 87.2%. The black community makes up to 10.1 % of the historic South LA. Baldwin Hills, Leimert Park, and Crenshaw district are the areas that are predominantly black. The affluent African-American resides in Ladera Heights, Windsor Hills, and Baldwin Hills, located on the West Coast.

However, the place of African Americans in this region is continuously disappearing. Raymond, a South LA resident for almost seventy years, moved here from Texas in 1955.

He states that the biggest issue in the Black community is selling properties the parents have left. One of his pals sold his grandmother’s house and moved to Moreno Valley. His friend lived rent-free in his grandma’s duplex but eventually sold off the property after she passed away.

It’s understandable why some want to leave this area and start anew. Regardless, the region is not what it was years ago. Crime rates have declined by the early 2010s, police patrol has improved, and there is redevelopment. Various initiative programs to lower crime rates and gang activities have also started to improve the community.

South LA may have witnessed some of the worst social unrest and racial oppression, but the region has thrived regardless. Outsiders may think of this place as a ghetto or area with gangs, but not many have seen it beneath the area. The region has more to offer than what it’s portrayed in the media.

People from different races and communities live in peace and acknowledge each other. Once seen as a Black monolith, South LA now comprises multiple races. With time, the existence of various races has somehow broken stereotypes.

Of course, crimes and violence still exist, but they have improved than what it was years ago. People residing in these areas have no complaints, and most have said that their neighborhoods are quiet and peaceful.

A Brief History of South LA And Its Culture

Historically, South Central LA has undergone complex changes that encapsulate spatial inequality. It’s a region that has witnessed some of the largest protests against racial oppression. Despite many unrests and racial wars, South LA has withstood against time.

The 1980s saw massive migration of Central Americans and Mexicans to the South Central. Due to economic instability, many have moved to this region. Despite the indifferences, peace between these communities was maintained as time passed.

Pre-WWII-South Central LA was diverse, like the Eastern neighborhood of Boyle Heights. Mexicans, Jews, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, and Blacks lived together as they were prohibited from residing where the Whites lived.

The region is an architectural delight with prominent historic places. For instance, there is an 80-year-old theatre with Spanish-style art deco in Leimert Park. As per culturela.org., this vision theatre was once run by Fox West Coast Theaters.

Also, there is the famous Los Angeles Coliseum, which is the place of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. Furthermore, who can forget the Watts Towers? It is a group of seventeen interconnected structures built by Simon Rodia, an Italian immigrant, which took over thirty years.

Kendrick, a sixteen-year-old high school student, is pursuing software coding. He said the people are surprised that many reputed institutions are situated within the area borders of South Los Angeles.

Swiveling his gaming chair, he proudly said there are excellent universities and a Natural History Museum. Also, commenting on his neighbors, he said some are nice, while he grew up with some of them. He added that some are not safe.

It’d be unfair to paint the citizens of South LA as bad people or the region unsafe. The area is blessed with a Mediterranean climate and has fantastic neighborhood policies. In short, it’s an amalgamation of good and bad.

One may encounter the Crips and Bloods gang in these areas, at the same time come across scholars, students, anime nerds, celebrities, doctors, and dentists. There are affluent families, as well as those that are struggling.

Which city or region doesn’t have this socioeconomic disparity? Eventually, you have a narrow mind if you consider everyone in South LA to be avoided. They are not degenerate, nor are they hopeless.

Strange Days

Modeling Misadventures: Navigating the Quirky World of Hand Modeling in Beverly Hills

Sophie Lumeis March 29, 2022

Following mulling over various potential income streams, I settled on the idea of hand modeling as the perfect quick, get-rich endeavor. With a faint recollection of someone, it was probably myself, praising my hands; I envisioned raking in millions by showcasing and posing my hands in various scenarios.

I typed in ‘hand modeling L.A.’ on Google, and behold! There was, disappointingly, one casting agent with open auditions, the Body Parts Models, Inc. Without such inclusive and open sessions, I wondered how aspiring hand models even got their start in the industry.

I envisioned myself poised in the lively food court of the Glendale Galleria Mall, gracefully holding a can of soda. A discerning scout for hand models observes the practical finesse and is awed by how my delicate hands make a medium-sized paper cup gleam. “Excuse me, miss, you should consider being a hand model,” he suggests. Contemplating the idea, I reply, “I’ll give it some thought,” deftly accepting his business card with my nimble fingers.

Meanwhile, I was reading Body Parts Models Inc.’s instructions for their audition on their website. My first step in preparing my hands for their debut involved painting my nails with two coats of Essie’s Ballet Slipper pink. Amidst choices like Powder-Me Pink and Fairy Wings, I locate Ballet Slipper, appreciate its sheer beauty, snag it with a coupon, and head home. Opting to handle my own manicure to avoid micromanaging a professional, the color I picked proves to be a dazzling selection. Now adorned with the perfect hue, I feel ready to exhibit my hands, perhaps while elegantly holding a bouquet of parsley for a grocery store ad.

The next day, I headed to the audition in a Beverly Hills neighborhood. The street, lined with older homes, hinted at a peaceful haven for elderly couples along Coldwater Canyon Drive. The residential setting gave me pause, but a sign on the door, reassuring “talent” (yes, me!), guided entry from the back. Opening the back gate, I discovered a group of America’s most eager and hopeful body parts models.

I was mistaken in thinking I had stumbled upon a niche job market. The attendees weren’t just aspiring hand models; they represented any of the 14 specialized divisions: lip, eyes, hair, neck, ears, feet, and more. I can’t even name 14 body parts, let alone envision them all ‘modeled up’ in an ad.

The lengthy queue wound around the pool (obviously, there was a pool) and meandered through the patio. Each person was unique. I found myself scrutinizing them, attempting to guess their intended modeling focus. Some seemed seasoned and familiar with the process and the layout. I believe I even spotted someone who brought their own fold-out chair.

A couple of staff members helped us with sign-ins and directed people to the pool house for restroom access. I queued up behind a shirtless guy, probably targeting abs, or maybe he was just trying to catch some Beverly Hills sun. Marie Teglovic, the casting agent, eventually emerged. Tall and blonde, her enthusiasm for the job was evident; she paused to exchange hushed words with two members of the staff. Proceeding, she walked through the crowd and stationed herself at the backyard’s highest point, turning it into her stage.

With such a public setup, everyone’s audition was on display. Marie made instant decisions, signaling whether you advanced to the photography line, indicating a potential signing, or if it was a simple exit. Almost everyone proceeded to the photography line. Around 45 minutes into the wait, I witnessed the first rejection. A girl pleaded loudly with Marie to consider any qualifying body parts. In her desperate moment, Marie, unable to dismiss her outright, asked to reevaluate her hands. After a moment’s reconsideration, Marie approved, and the girl went off to have her hands photographed, her expressions of gratitude fading away as she walked off.

When my turn arrived, I exchanged a knowing glance with Marie. To get a head start, I took photos of my hands and emailed an introduction to her. Taking those photos was a notable achievement, as I had to manage the camera while simultaneously posing my other hand in a relaxed, demure manner.

I used a self-timer and held the camera in my mouth to get a shot of both my hands. Despite having friends who could have assisted, I chose to sidestep potential embarrassment and maintain a semblance of self-respect. The email response praised my hands, stating, “These are nice hands!” It also extended an invitation to an “Exclusive Model Casting,” which, as it turned out, was this very same public event listed on their website, open for anyone to observe and participate.

Linda requested to see my hands, and I awkwardly extended them for her scrutiny. Her rejection was somewhat prolonged, expressing that she didn’t find my hands suitable. She inquired if I had anything else to showcase, referring to any of the 14 eligible body parts. While I did have nice elbows, I politely denied the other parts of my body to her; I’d decided by then that she didn’t deserve to see them and left.

Around a month later, I received an email from Marie asking for hand models on her roster to confirm attendance for an audition. I had assumed that if companies chose your photo, you simply showed up for the shoot. This was my misconception; that you needed only one audition—the one to get signed.

I couldn’t grasp that it involved more effort than that. I was mistaken. Once signed, you may attend several auditions before securing a booking. While this prospect might excite someone passionate about hand modeling, for me, I realized that hand modeling wasn’t the fast-money-making job I’d thought it was, and honestly, it required too much effort. I chose not to respond to Marie’s email. Let’s be clear—I turned down hand modeling; it wasn’t the other way around.

Although hand modeling isn’t listed as a skill on my resume, I find ways to bring it up in everyday conversation. Don’t ask me to pass the salt; it turns into a whole-body affair. “Here we have a fine pink Himalayan,” I say, delicately lifting the salt with only my thumb and index finger, pinky up.

Features

Figaro Bistrot in LA’s Los Feliz Gets Featured in Unique TikTok Trend

Cheyenne Grippa February 7, 2022

Local French eatery Figaro Bistrot at Los Feliz invites passersby with its cozy indoor ambiance and relaxing curb-side tables.

Many residents claim that this quaint little bistro has the best escargots in the city. Other times, it’s common to see local influencers dropping reviews of their Steak Tartare and pastries on social media.

The cafe is usually swarming with regular patrons and teeming with first-time visitors of the neighborhood, too. Local TikToker Casey Kramer shared spot-on impressions of how tricky it is to walk past the curb when regulars are seated along the patio.

With over 50k likes and a few thousand reposts, the video has garnered quite the buzz among locals and fellow Tiktokers.

For one, residents are all too familiar with the distasteful looks you get from some diners as you walk past the cane chairs lined up outside the establishment. And Casey’s followers agreed that her impressions of these diners were on the money.

Other viewers loved the characters she played while making these impressions. The artsy Instagrammer constantly on her phone and swiping through the latest filters, the singer-songwriter discussing the new equipment in his studio, and the small-time actor sharing about their next big break coming up soon were a few of the characters she nailed during the sketch.

Casey’s Tiktok drew so much attention that some viewers latched on to the smallest and pettiest of observations. For instance, a handful of viewers pointed out her apparent mispronunciation of ‘Los Feliz,’ while others debated whether Figaro Bistro’s location qualifies as Eastside LA.

Either way, the somewhat viral nature of the video did bring a lot of attention to Casey, herself an actor and songwriter. “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to resonate with so many people. Moving forward, I’m going to be doing more impressions for sure!” she admitted.