Comments on: The 2nd Annual Gran Posada del Pueblo

By: el vp

el vp — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:22:22 +0000

For the concientious guy whose gf wants him to move to Boyle Heights: If you do move there contact the Community Organizing Department at East LA Community Corporation (ELACC). You can get involved in helping the community have a voice in the city planning decisions that often cause gentrification, aka, displacment of low-income community members of color. The ELACC number is 323-269-4214 and the website is http://www.elacc.org. Help and support from all sectors is much appreciated.

By: chimatli

chimatli — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:42:01 +0000

Gentrification is a social/economic phenomenon and in my opinion, you can’t blame an individual for gentrification. And more importantly, you shouldn’t blame an individual’s race/ethnicity for gentrification either. Gentrification is an issue most related to class and economics not culture.
Alienation’s fears of driving up rents are understandable but not something for him to fret about as an individual. It’s kinda like me not having kids, I know a landlord might prefer me as a tenant. Oh well! I’ve also had landlords who wouldn’t rent to me because they thought I was too “educated” and in their way of thinking I would be more likely to complain about sub-standard conditions (interestingly, I don’t). Anyways, individuals are not responsible for the myriad of variables that contribute to gentrification.

By: Art

Art — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:58:58 +0000

Burned!! You got me el random!!

In all honesty, any gentrifier in EastLos should be taken like a grain of salt. Because if they are ballsy enough to move there they may be conscious enough to enjoy and become a part of the barrio, and if they arent they will be chased out real soon. For comparison look at how small and insignificant (chicano culture wise) Echo parque was and how hard it has been to erase the latino community from there.

By: El Random Hero

El Random Hero — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:55:04 +0000

See I don’t think you moving over here with your gf is a bad idea. Your more concious of what’s going on unlike other residents, which is a great thing. Groups like ELACC are taking the steps need to inform residents of they’re rights and to be involved in the community. La Gentrification is going to get its face kicked in if it comes anywhere near BH.

By: alienation

alienation — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:29:54 +0000

@al – BH is in the city of LA. I think it’s huizar’s district. or maybe reyes’. i don’t know. here’s a link to the neighborhood council: http://oasci.org/bhnc-wp/

east la is unincorporated, and is represented by molina.

the biggest challenge is always competing with the influence of developer money, even if the developer happens to have a cool name like TELACU or Barrio Planners.

By: alienation

alienation — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:20:55 +0000

oh yeah, if there are any anti-gentrification groups, or groups to demand some social justice along with this train coming thru, could this blog link them? it would be useful to people to know they exist, when they have meetings, and so forth.

By: alienation

alienation — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:11:06 +0000

OK, I need some advice. My gf is making a big push for me to move to BH. I kinda want to move to the south side near vermont or north on vermont, so work is much closer. She thinks it’ll be isolating to go west (she’s in ela). I tend to think it opens up some work opportunities for me. also, i don’t like the drive or bus trip from bh over to the westside (i mean pico union, but you know what i mean)

Now, here’s the gentrification angle. I’m basically middle class, and not latino. so i’m likely to raise rents. what should i do?

——–

second thing – LA has strong rent control laws. they can be used to prevent evictions, which is the main tool of gentrification warfare.

though a lot of gentrification has happened in l.a., it’s nothing like what’s happened in other cities. this is probably due to geography combined with the rent laws.

East LA, however, does NOT have rent control or anything. if there’s a desire to slow down gentrification, a rent control group or movement needs to start, and demand it from both the county, and these east la cityhood people.

By: Al Desmadre

Al Desmadre — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:07:16 +0000

Those people in South Pas bitched up a storm. They even made MTA quiet down the train bells when it comes through Mission Station. They were out there every day with sandwich boards and banners raising poopoo at the MTA and booing the trains as they passed by.
The difference in treatment BH may get may be due to lots of things. The fact that it’s not a city, it’s part of LA county. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a local council person than it is to the Board of Sups. Perhaps a lack of broad voter base and perhaps the area does not have a big enough tax base (with the local businesses & local homeowners) to give it a loud enough voice that the powers that be can (or want) to hear.

By: Browne

Browne — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:01:59 +0000

What I am amazed at in regards to Boyle Heights is how long 1st Street has been completely messed up. During the holidays last year Metro shut it down, like those businesses didn’t have to make money. They even rerouted the bus service. I just don’t like the very different treatment and lack of consideration that our communities get from Metro in comparison to communities like Pasadena, where they planned and made it beautiful.

That Highland Park going at grade through people’s front yards and them wanting to recreate that scariness in South LA via the Expo.

When I’m on the Gold Line in Highland Park it looks like Metro just took a hatchet and plowed through there (you can clearly see where Metro took people’s yards and you can reach out and almost touch people houses) and then when I see the carefully planned platforms around South Pasadena and how I don’t remember businesses being blocked on that side of town it just makes me think this project is only for certain people.

Browne

By: AlDesmadre

AlDesmadre — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:33:15 +0000

I didn’t want to sound so simplistic as to generalize that the Gold Line will surely bring rampant gentrification and destroy all existing integrity in it’s path. I’m all for progress and there’s a fine line between nimbyism and community activism sometimes. But, I think it’s VERY important for the people to be AWARE and involved and most importantly, to let the MTA, DOT, city & county officials & the developers know that you are aware & involved in these things. These powers thrive on community indifference when it comes to slipping their agendas by you and giving the people the short end. You have to be ready to plan for the worst scenarios most of the time or you can get screwed real quick. They’re worst nightmare is an aware, educated & involved public that’s vocal, and cares about their hood to keep them in check. (See the resident involvement at the proposed MTA North Hollywood/NBC studios mixed use high rise developement)