on the path…quarterly report part 2
WHAT I”VE SEEN:
GENTRIFICATION:
Echo Park is in a state of gentrification. It’s a city neighborhood largely of Mexican and Asian culture. People doing their gig. People on top of people.
It’s a city neighborhood that looks as expected in that situation. Building’s going up and being torn down. Buildings being closed in order to be torn down to put up taller yet more efficient buildings.
EXAMPLE #1:
The street Tim lives on two rows of apartments are being built. The people on the bottom get a view of sunset blvd. The people on the top get a view of the back door of the people on the bottom. With about 5 feet of space in between.
EXAMPLE #2
1/4 mile down sunset there are condos going up starting at $500,000.
EXAMPLE #3- the cold hard truth:
A caucasion is a minority in Echo Park. I look like the guy who’s making the gentrification happen. The cat encroaching on the people who have lived here years and years. This was a recent realization btw.
I understand that they don’t know what I do.
I understand that perception is reality.
I’m just now beginning to understand why sometimes I receive wary looks.
I’d look twice too if I came across someone who ‘looked like’ a participant in past gentrifications. The truth is that I’m just like they are. Soaking up a piece of this big city in order to find a niche. So I can pay rent and buy groceries at Trader Joes; Oh and get the VW washed!
There’s some grit here, definitely some shadow.
Honestly, I like that. It keeps me engaged and less fearful of whatever my mind conjures up to worry about.
It lets me have a glimpse into other cultures that exist and contribute despite what radio and TV programs say. I think it’s important for me to see since my upbringing in the South was so suburban & idyllic.
That said, the grit and shadow lets me in on a larger picture. Larger oneness. I’m able to see how separateness breeds fear.
RECOGNIZING ECHO PARK:
things I’ve noticed:
The local flowershop for Quincenera(sp) ceremonies. A Catholic girl’s 15th birthday celebration is a very big deal here.
El compadre specials on Margaritas before a Dodger’s game that’s a 10 minute walk away. (free chips & salsa).
Getting a car hand washed on the corner of Sunset and Alvarado. The ritual of Car care here seems to be as important as caring for one’s yard in the South.
Then there’s the consistent characters. The homeless guy; who tries to catch rush hour traffic coming from downtown. He holds a cardboard sign that says:
“I need a beer, why lie about it”
And one of my personal favorites; The Coconut Man on Glendale ave. He’s always smiling & wears a large cowboy hat. He walks bow legged up and down the median during rush hour with a soft ball looking thing that has a straw coming out of it. It took me a month to figure out what he was selling.
They’re chilled & peeled coconuts. With a fresh straw poking in a tiny hole.
These tiny oberservations are about the Echo Park I witness on a consistent basis. They are what gives a sense of community to this VAST city.
Thanks for checking in.
Stephen A. Thomas