March for Zapata 2010
2
Author Archives: El Random Hero
Feliz 2nd Anniversary
Can you believe that after 2 years and 1,066 post later we would all still be here? Time is sure flying by. I just wanna say, in my own special way, thanks to everyone who reads and writes on this here little blog. In the 2 years this space has been around, we’ve managed to get attention from all over L.A. I, for one, am thankful for being part of this space, being able to write what I think and create conversations about the communities we live, their changing streets and the people who make up this great city east, west, north or south of the river. Here’s to another great year 😀
Ernesto Yerena: Hecho con Ganas
Ernesto Yerena has ganas. At 23 years old, he is garnering attention in the art world for his unique artistic style and in the Latino/a community for his involvement and advocacy for immigrants rights. His visual style incorporates vibrant colors, blending backgrounds, stencils of iconic figures like Fidel Castro, Cantinflas and Cesar Chavez. Yerena’s work also highlights the cultural richness of the Latino/a community in his works by featuring everyday people like musicians. He’s currently working on his latest piece of astronaut Jose Hernandez, commissioned for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. Individuals Yerena admires because of the ganas they have to accomplish the great things they are recognized and known for. It’s what pushes him to do what he loves and to continue to push his limits, his will to the next level, but Yerena admits that it isn’t easy.
Men, check your balls
The first week of April, 1-7, is testicular cancer awareness week. If it wasn’t for the gals over at I heart guts, who made the awesome chart above, I wouldn’t have known this week was TCAW, I thought it was just Easter. So men, get to know your boys a little close this week and give yourself a self exam because early detection is the best way to stop and get rid of testicular cancer. So what exactly is testicular cancer ? Google health defines it as, “cancer that starts in the testicles, the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum.” It seems that there are no detailed specifics on what causes the cancer in individuals, besides a family history or abnormalities in that region. Symptoms range from nothing to pain in that region, back/abdomen, enlargement of testis and the one you look out for the most is lumps or unusual swelling.
Jesus in Boyle Heights
I was riding my bike home from work and I spotted the reenactment of the crucifixion at Mariachi Plaza. I took some video of the event. You can see part one here and part three here. All I can say is that people are “passionate” about Jesus. I’d hate to see what would happen if they saw the Devil protesting at this event ?
Back to the Future: Boyle Heights
1st & Cummings Circa 1958
1st & Cummings Circa March 30, 2010
Paco of Corazon del Pueblo wanted me share these two pictures and write a up a post after he saw the vintage picture on the facebook fan page “Who remembers in East L.A.” In the last 58 years so much has changed in Boyle Heights. I’m 25 and already the barrio is changing once again. In the picture you see all the old businesses and the trolly that ran through 1st. Nowadays we have the goldline running under ground, a few different shops and a bigger police station. I can only imagine what will change and how things will look another 58 years from now.
Jesus Cristo
Be safe on the Blue Line or el$e
I’m all for safety on the road, on foot, bike and train. I’m always cautious of my surroundings and always look twice before I cross, however not everyone adheres to these safety measures and Metro along with the LASD and LAPD want to make sure everyone does abide by the rules and be safe on the road or when going Metro. So, tomorrow morning (3-23-2010) they will be holding police check points all along the Metro Blue Line starting from the 7th street stop all along to Washington Station. They will be there starting from 7 a.m. and be checking up that people aren’t making illegal turns, people driving while talking/texting on their phones and jaywalkers. I got a jaywalking ticket once because I crossed when the hand was flashing red. At least that’t what the officer said and god knows there’s no arguing with the LAPD because that hand went red HALF WAY THROUGH me crossing. What was I suppose to do ? Walk back to the other side ? I hope the $175 fine paved some roads or fixed some parking meter.
Anywho, just thought I’d give everyone that rides the Blue Line in those areas or drives by the heads up. The city is hurting for money so they’ll squeeze every dime outta ya. To be more specific, $175 for jaywalking to $436 for red light violations. HOWEVER, I will note that this isn’t some random thing Metro and the police decided to do, Metro wants to reduce the number of deaths and accidents along these stations. Here is their analysis and break down of how the public just needs more education on safety issues. As a long time Blue Line rider all I can say is that, if you get caught breaking the law or being unsafe, then you deserve the fine.
Spring is here
Random’s Rundown: Chicano/a socialites unite
It gets harder and harder each week to keep up with everything that’s going on sometimes you know. I gotta deal with student life at taco tech, activism work with the team I’m a part of and of course keeping up with my community reporting. Then some how in between all that I gotta make time to earn some cash here and there moonlighting. Such is the life and I am forever thankful for it. Idle hands are the devils play things you know. In fact, a friend commented to me that I was dropping the ball on my reporting, which is kinda true. So, with that being said, here’s a list of things to do with weekend East of the river. I’ll catch up on here when I’m on spring break next week. In fact, I should be studying rather than blogging. Fuck it.
Stupid America
~A message I read on my way to work on the bus ~
A poem by Abelardo “Lalo” Delgado
stupid america, see that chicano
with a big knife
on his steady hand
he doesn’t want to knife you
he wants to sit on a bench
and carve christfigures
but you won’t let him.
stupid america, hear that chicano
shouting curses on the street
he is a poet
without paper and pencil
and since he cannot write
he will explode.
stupid america, remember that chicanito
flunking math and english
he is a picasso
of your western states
but he will die
with one thousand masterpieces
hanging only from his mind.
Kicks
One of the first lessons I learned about life back when I was a wee little Random Hero was that you had to rock the right shoes. I have two distinct memories etched in my psyche about this. I was in the third grade and my mom bought me a new pair of shoes from pay less. They were a pair of Raider shoes. They had the team colors, logo and everything and I remember friends telling me, “Aww cool. Raider shoes.” Later on in junior high I learned that you got clowned on for having pay less shoes because it implied your ass was po’. I remember being in gym class in junior high and these two guys were making fun of people for their looks and/or clothes. I was sitting down next to them minding my own business and one of the guys starts eye balling me. He looks me up and down and thinks about making fun of me, but the guy next to him looks me up and down too and stops at my feet. He see’s that I have some Jason Kidd Nikes and says, “nah he’s cool.” As shallow and materialistic as it is, having the right kind of shoes makes or breaks a person sometimes. For some of us, sneakers are way more than just things we wear because we need to, it’s an extension of who we are and what we represent.