PasadenaCityCollege

ResearchPaper:ResourcesbeingLostinEchoPark

MayumiPerez

English1A

ProfessorK.Ogden

27April,2016


Perez1

Abstract

InthisresearchpapertheauthorexploresthecommunityofEchoParkanddiscusses
someofthepositiveandnegativeeffectsthatgentrificationhasbroughtalongtowardsthe
community.Manypeoplefromthecommunitydidntknowwhatgentrificationwasaboutand
believedthatitwouldbringinpositiveeffectssotheydecidedtowelcomeitalthoughtheysoon
startedtofindoutthatgentrificationwascreatingabiggerprobleminsidethecommunity.The
citizensthatliveinEchoParkrealizedthattheircommunitywaslosingitsidentityandstartingto
createanewone.Thisnewcommunitystartedtopushawaytheworkingclassbutalso
ethnicities,itonlystartedtowelcomemiddlesclasscitizensandspecifictypeofpeople.Notonly
isthiscommunitybeingaffectedbyracialdiscriminationbutalsoeconomicallybecausemany
peoplefromtheworkingclassstartedtolosetheirjobs.Forexamplelittlefamilystoresstartedto
turnintocoffeeshopsorintofancyrestaurants.Iwasoncewelcomedandalsopartofthis
communityuntilgentrificationcameandtookthatawayfromme.NowIwalkaroundthestreets
ofEchoParkandfeelunwelcomed.Thisisanimportantissuethatmorepeopleneedtolearn
about,becausetodayitaffectedmycommunityofEchoParkbutmaybetomorrowortheday
afterthatyourcommunitycanbeaffectedbythis.


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Outline

I.
Introduction
A. Startingbyaskingwhattheyrememberoftheircommunity.
1. Howhastheircommunityimpactedthemandhowhastheircommunity
shapedtheminthepersonthattheyaretoday.
B. Howtheyremembertheircommunityfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandwhatare
somechangesthattheyhaveseen.
C. Howsomeofthechangescanbepositiveandalsonegative.
1. Citizensalwaysmakememoriesintheircommunityandthosememories
alwaysstaythereforever.
II.
FirstBodyParagraph
A. ExplainhowgrowingupIbelievedthatmycommunitywasjustlikeanyother
neighborhood.
1. ThenIrealizedthatthemythIbelievedinwasnottrue.
B. Eachcommunityhasitsownidentityduetothecitizensthatlivethere.
1. Themaandpashopsthatthecommunityheldsformanyyearsandalso
theactivitiesthattheneighborhoodhasforitsmembers.
C. Starttalkingabouttheproblemthatcommunityissufferingfrom.
1. Startdiscussingwhataresomeofthechangesthatandalsothefactthat
noteverythingdoesn'tstaythesame.
D. Majorityofthepeopledontknowthemeaningofthewordgentrificationand
believethatitmaybeapleasantsolutionforthecommunity
III.
SecondBodyParagraph
A. ExplainhowIwakeupinthemorninginmycommunityanddiscusshow
communitiesshapeaperson'spersonalityandwhotheybecome.
B. BeforegentrificationcametobeknownasaproblemIwaspartofthecommunity
andeveryonewashappy.
1. UsethequotefromthemovieMiVidaLoca,statesOnSaturdaysand
SundayseverybodyshopsinSunsetandEchoParkAvenue,there'sno
reasontoleaveyoucangetanythingyouneedinmyneighborhood.
C. ReminiscingtheolddayswhenIwouldgotoElCentroDelPuebloandthentake
strollswithmymomthroughSunsetandEchoParkAvenue.
1. Explainthatwewouldgointothesmallstoresandpurchasethethingswe
neededforthehousehold.
2. DiscussthevendorsthatIwouldseeinthesidewalksonmywaytothe
smallstoreswithmymom.


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IV.

V.

VI.

a) Howthesevendorswouldshapeourcommunityandalsorepresent
ourculturalbackground
D. ExplainhowthemovieMiVidaLocaimpactedourcommunityandalsothe
entertainmentthatisaroundthecommunityandhowthatalsocontributestoit.
ThirdBodyParagraph
A. Eventhoughmycommunitydidnthavethebestreputationthatwewerestillvery
unitedandhadmanycelebrations.
1. Howpeoplewouldgetveryexcitedforthechangeofseasonsbecausethey
knewthatcelebrationsliketheLotusfestivalwasarriving.
B. RememberinghowmeandmymomwouldgoforstrollsthroughtheparkofEcho
ParkandalsohearandseethetrafficofLosAngeles.
1. WhilewalkingIwouldhearthevendorsscreaminthebackground
throughtheparksayingelotes,churros,hotdogs,raspados,aguasfrescas,
yfruta.
FourthBodyParagraph
A. Howmanycitizenslifestylestartedtochangeandmanystartedtoaccommodate
theirlifestyletothenewtheirsurroundings.
1. Bynothavingthecommunitymembersstandupforwhattheybelieved
theyinsteadlettheoutsiderscontinuedoingtheirthing.
B. TheLAWeeklysharesthearticle
Is
GentrificationRuiningLosAngeles,Or
SavingIt?PickASideby
A
rtTavanaand
IsaacSimpson,whichstates,
But
gentrificationputsthosestandardstothetest.Wesaywelldoitresponsibly,that
weremakingthingssaferandbetterforeveryone.Nooneis
actually
hurt.
Butwhataretheresults?Displacement.Eviction.Forcedhomelessness.Police
violence.Destroyedcommunities.That'soppression.(Simpson)
1. Thequoteisbasicallysayingthatgentrificationwillnotonlycauseone
problembutinsteaditwillmakemoreanditismorelikevirus.
a) Manypeoplewillsoonfindthemselvesinthesamesituationand
weneedtolookforsolution,asolutioncanbefoundonlyifwe
sticktogetherandstandupforwhatisrightforus.
FifthBodyParagraph
A. NotonlyistheneighborhoodofEchoParkfacinggentrificationtherearemany
morenowadayswithinthecityofLosAngeles.
1. OneofthecommunitiesinsidethecityofLosAngeleshasbeenrecently
invadedwiththevirusofgentrification.
a) Thisneighborhoodwasveryuniquewhichshapedtheiridentity
andidentifiedthepeoplefromthearea,whichhasnowbeen
modifiedtobewhatisknowntobeasa
hipster
areainstead


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VII.

B. Ibelievethatgentrifyingcommunitiestohaveabetteroutcomeisthenotthe
solution,tohaveabetteroutcomealldependsintheeducationthatpeople
receive.
1. Ifwewantourcommunitiestostaythesameastheyarenowandnot
wonderwhatarefuturegenerationswillexperiencesthenweneedtounite
andfightback.
C. Anotheressentialpointthatthearticle
'Hopeeveryonepukesonyour
artisanaltreats':fightinggentrification,LAstyleby
RoryCarroll
,states,
GentrificationinLosAngeleshasoccurredclockwise,progressingfrom
SilverLaketoEchoParktoEagleRocktoHighlandParktoLincoln
HeightsandnowBoyleHeights.Asaneighbourhood,wehaveseenhow
quicklycommunitiesinLosAngelescanchange,saidStevenAlmazan
(Carroll).
1. Ibelievethatthesolutionforthisproblemcanbeeducatingourresidents
thatliveinthesamearea,whichwillhelpinformeveryonemore
effectivelyaboutthisproblemthatisnotonlyaffectingonecommunity
butmanymore.
2. Weneedtostandupandspeakupsoourfuturegenerationssotheydont
gothroughthesamestrugglesthatwearegoingthrough.Weallneedto
learnhowtobeunited,tohelponeanother.
SixthBodyParagraph
A. Communitymemberswantedtheviolencetoend,theydidntknowthesolution,
theybelievedthesolutionwasgentrification.
1. Manyofthemembersofthiscommunityarepartoftheworkingclass
includingmyfamily,majorityofthemdidntknowthemeaningof
gentrificationorwhatitwouldbringalong.
a) TheLosAngelesMagazinesharesthearticleLosAngelesIs
EatingItselfAfteralmosttwoyearsaway,anAngelenocomes
backtoaplacehehardlyrecognizesby
BenEhrenreich
hestates,
AtsomepointthestraydogsdisappearedIdidntnoticeuntil
aftertheyweregoneandIfoundmyselfmissingtheroostersthat
Ihadcursedeveryweekendmorning.Sure,therewerefewer
shootings,butadifferentkindofviolencereigned,thelessobvious
sortthatbreaksupfamilieswithoutabullet,justarenthikeora
noticefromthesheriffinstarkofficialese(Ehrenreich).
2. Adifferenttypeofviolencewascreatedwhichisthelostofcultureforour
youngergenerations,andwilllosemanyresourcesthattheyhadandwill
becomenewrestaurantsorcoffeeshopsforthenewconsumersthatwill
jointhecommunity.


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VIII.

IX.

X.

B. Thearticle
'Hopeeveryonepukesonyourartisanaltreats':fighting
gentrification,LAstyleby
RoryCarroll
,states,
Gentrificationisaviolent
threat.Whenwefeelitwemayreactinanangryway,throughfear,saidXochitl
Palomera,anactivistwiththegroupCoraznDelPueblo.BoyleHeightsisnot
goingdownwithoutafight.Weknowwhatwereupagainstandwerenotafraid.
Ourrootsrundeephere(Carroll).
C. Byhavingpeoplebeingawareofwhatthiswordmeansandalsorealizingwhatit
hasdonetocertainareasofLosAngelescitizenswillstarttorevoltandfight
againstitduetothefactthatmanyhistoricalmonumentswillendupdisappearing
andlosingitsculturalvalue.
SeventhBodyParagraph
A. EchoParklosingitssparkandwhatmadeitunique,wenowtrytofitinwitha
societythatdoesn'tacceptusforwhoweare.Iwanttosaythatourproblemis
sortalikeglobalwarming,wedecidetoavoiditeventhoughitsonlygetting
worse.
1. InthebookWhereWeStand:ClassMattersbybellhooks,shestates,
Classmatters.Raceandgendercanbeusedasscreenstodeflectattention
awayfromtheharshrealitiesclasspoliticsexposes.Clearly,justwhenwe
shouldallbepayingattentiontoclass,usingraceandgendertounderstand
andexplainitsnewdimensions,society,evenourgovernment,sayslets
talkaboutraceandracialinjustice(hooks).
B. Compareglobalwarmingwiththeproblemofgentrificationbecauseitisonly
gettingworseandpeopledon'twanttorealizethatthisisabiggerproblemthan
whatwethink.
EighthBodyParagraph
A. TalkaboutthetimethatIwouldgotoElCentroDelPuebloandhowmany
childrenwouldactuallygotothisrecreationcenter.
1. MaryPipherinherbookWritingtoChangetheWorld,shestates,We
cancomewithgoodreasonstodelay.Wecanmakeexcusesandpsych
ourselvesout.Yetwecantletourselvesturnawaywehavetodivein
(Pipher72).
B. Mygoalistogetfundsandstartbringingbacktherecreationcenterthatmy
communityknewsothatthechildrencouldbemorehappyandalsostarttobe
unitedagain.
NinthBodyParagraph
A.
Majorityofchildrentendtolookforactivitiesafterschool,theybelieve
thatanythingthatkeepsthementertainisagoodoption.
1. Theytendtostayathomeandplayvideogamesinsteaditwouldbebetter
forthemtoplaysomeactivities


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XI.

XII.

a) .InthearticleTheConceptofDiscourseCommunity,byJohn
Swaleshestates,Weneedthentoclarify,forprocedural
purposes,whatistobeunderstoodbydiscoursecommunityand,
perhapsinthepresentcircumstances,itisbettertoofferasetof
criteriasufficientlynarrowthatitwilleliminatemanyofthe
marginal,blurredandcontroversialcontenders(Swales469).
b) InthearticleofBrandingtheRecreation,ParkandTourism
Product,byHaroldJ.Nolan,Jrstates,Thekeyinbrandingisto
understandthespecificbenefitsconsumersareprioritizingand
positionthosebenefitsthroughoutanymarketingendeavors
(Harold).
2. Discussabouttheactivitiesthatmightbeheldinthisrecreationcenterand
alsotalkaboutmypersonalexperiencebydoingdrillteaminsidethe
recreationcenterandhowitimpactedme.
TenthBodyParagraph
A. Byhavingrenewedtherecreationcenterinmycommunitytherewillbemore
optionsfornotonlythechildrenbutalsotheparents/adultsinthecommunitythat
mightbenefitfrom.
1. InarticleTheRemakingofRecCenterbyStephenSpringsandDwayne
Brinkley,theybothdiscuss,Recreationdirectorsaswellasfacility
plannersmustgrapplewithhowbesttoservethesedifferentagegroups,at
thesametimethattheystrugglewithfinancialselfsufficiencyoneof
thebiggestbalancingactsofthiserainrecreation(Springs&Brinkley).
2. Discusshowthemoneywillbedisturbedandalsohowtomake
advertismenttowardstherecreationcentersothatcommunitymembers
actuallygo.
Conclusion
A. Overall,Ibelievethatthemainproblemisgentrificationthatiscausingallofthis
chaosnotonlyinmycommunitybutmanymoreallaroundthecityofLos
Angeles.
1. Peopleneedtofindoutmoreaboutandactuallystartfindingsolutions
fasterbecauseitgetsbiggerthanitactuallyisalready.
2. Whenmorepeoplenoticeandstarttocareofthisproblemtheywillresist
andcompromisewitheveryoneelse.
B. Bringingmoreadvertisementtowardsthisissuewillcatchpeople'sattention
becausetheywouldn'twantthesameproblemtohappenintheircommunity.It
willdefinitelyunitepeoplemorebutalsoteachthepresentandfuturegenerations
thatstandingtogetheritismucheasiertogetthingsdone.


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GrowingupIbelievedthatmycommunitywasjustlikeanyother,thatmanyofthe
aspectswerecommonwitheveryoneandanyoneImet.However,Isooncametoarealization
thatthemythIbelievedinwasnttrueandthatcommunitiesarentwithoutflaws.Communities
alwayschange,someofthechangescanbegoodorbad,butonethingthattendstonotchangeis
thegoodmemoriesthatyouhavemarked,andtheybegintorealizethatnooneisabletoremove
.
Ifyousatdownforacoupleofminuteshowwouldyoudescribeyourcommunityduringyour
childhood?Manymightsaythatitwasthebestyearsoftheirlivesothersmightsaythattheir
communityshapedthemandhashelpedthembecomethepersontheyarenow.Manypeople
dontrealizeuntillateronintheirlivesthatgrowingupandbeinginvolvedintheircommunity
andthatthespacetheylivedinhashadquitesomechangesamajorityofthepeoplestarttosee
thechangethathashappenedbetweenhowtheyremembertheircommunityfromtheirchildhood
tohowitisnowandrealizethatsomuchhashappened.
Eachpersonisuniqueintheirownway.Everycommunityhasitsownidentity,duetothe
factthateachneighborhoodalwayshasdifferentactivities,things,orcitizensthatmakethem
special.Furthermore,itisthepeoplethatlivethere,theshopsthatareheldinthecommunity,
andalsotheactivitiesthatentertainthepeoplethatmakethemsospecial.Aseverycommunityis
rareandunique,theyalsohaveproblemsthatneedtogetsolved.Inmycommunity,oneofthe
biggestproblemrightnowisknownasgentrification.Likemanypeoplesay,noteverything
staysthesame,mycommunityEchoParkhaschangedovertheyears.EchoParkhasmade
manydrasticchanges,thesechangeshasntonlyaffectedmycommunitybutalsomanyareas
aroundthecityofLosAngelesmajorityofthemarebecauseofgentrification.Majorityofthe


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peopledontknowthemeaningofthiswordandwhentheyhearitmanybelievethatitisagood
opportunity,whichisatfirstbutthenafterthecommunitygetstakenawayandlosesitsidentity.
Wakinguptothesmellofsecondhandsmoke,thenoisethatthecityofAngelsbrings
alonghavingitallrushwithintheairintomywindow,remindingmeofwhoIamandwhereIm
from.Gettingreadyeverymorningtogoouttotheworldthatoncewasmineandnowhas
becomeastrangertowardsme
.
Beforegentrificationcametobeknownasaproblemmy
communitywashappy,everyonekneweachother.Furthermoreitwasthefactthatwehad
everythinginourneighborhoodandweallknewwewerehelpingoneother,asthemovieMi
VidaLoca,statesOnSaturdaysandSundayseverybodyshopsinSunsetandEchoPark
Avenue,there'snoreasontoleaveyoucangetanythingyouneedinmyneighborhood.I
rememberafterthatIwouldgotoElCentroDelPuebloRecreationCenterthatmymomwould
askmetogowithherandtakeawalkaroundSunsetandEchoParkAvenue,wewouldgoinside
thesmallstoresandpurchaseallthehouseholdmaterialsweneeded.Walkingthroughthe
sidewalkofthisstreetwasfullofvendors,Irememberseeingtheladythatusedtosale
champurrado
and
elotes
.Shehadbeensellingelotesandchampurradoformorethan20years,
sheknewwhoIwasandwhatIorderedbecausesheknewallhercustomersandmajoritylivedin
thecommunity.Nexttoherwastheguywhomakesbraceletsandwouldexplaintopeoplehow
hewouldmakethem,infrontofthesevendorswasthehotdogguymakingthehotdogsthat
everyonetalkedabout,whilehavingpeopletalkaboutthehotdogshescreamedoutloud
buy
oneandgetthesodafree.
Notonlydoesthistownhavemanymemoriesforme,butalsoforthe
restofthecommunity,thislittlepartofLAhasmanyhistoricaleventsthathavemadeanimpact
towardswhowearetoday.ThemoviethatIpreviouslystatedwasfilmedin1994inthe


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communityofEchoPark,itrepresentsmotherhoodwhilebeingastreetgangmemberbutalso
theviolencethatthiscommunityhadandwasmostlyknownfor.Notonlydidthemoviemakea
bigimpacttoourcommunitybutalsowhatsurroundsourcommunity,forexampleDodger
Stadium,Hollywood,GriffithPark,Downtown,aswellothermore,allbeingminutesaway.
Eventhoughmycommunitydidnthavethebestreputation,westillhadmany
celebrationsthatwoulduniteallofus.Peopleinmycommunitywouldgetveryexcitedforthe
changeofseasons,wewouldgofrombrownleavestotheblossomingoflotusflowersthat
wouldbringalongmanyfestivalsandbrightenupthecommunityofEchoPark.Manypeople
wouldsaythatthechangeofseasonswouldbringthecommunitytogether,spendingmore
qualitytimeintheparkgettingtoknowthepeoplethatwesharethisbeautifulcommunitywith
butalsohelpingoneanother.Irememberthatafterschoolmeandmymomwouldgohavea
strollthroughthepark,meanwhilewewouldhearthetrafficwhileseeingthebeautifulbackdrop
whichisknownasthecityofAngels,finallyinthebackgroundhearingpeoplescreamwhile
theypushtheircartselotes,churros,hotdogs,raspados,aguasfrescas,yfruta.
ThelifestylethatmanycitizenshadinEchoParkstartedtofadeawayslowly,manyways
oflivingstartedtoaccommodatetothechangesthatweregoingaroundintheirsurroundings
Insteadofthecommunitystandingupforwhatwastheirstheydecidedtoletthe
outsiders
continuedoingtheiroppressing,towardstheresidentsofthisarea.Inaddition,theLAWeekly
sharesthearticle
Is
GentrificationRuiningLosAngeles,OrSavingIt?PickASideby
A
rt
Tavanaand
IsaacSimpson,whichstates,
Butgentrificationputsthosestandardstothetest.We
saywelldoitresponsibly,thatweremakingthingssaferandbetterforeveryone.Nooneis
actually
hurt.Butwhataretheresults?Displacement.Eviction.Forcedhomelessness.Police


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violence.Destroyedcommunities.That'soppression.(Simpson)Furthermore,thisquotethat
IsaacSimpsonstatedshowsthatitwillnolongeronlycauseoneproblembutmorethanweall
canimagine,becauseitwillnolongeronlyaffectonesinglecommunitybutitwillstarttospread
likeavirus.Morecitizenswillbeseeninthesamesituationandsharetheexactexperiences,we
allneedtofindasolution,asolutioncanbefoundbutonlyifwesticktogetherlikea
community.
NottoolongagowasthecommunityofEchoParkfacinggentrification,butalsoother
communitiesclosetotheneighborhoodwerefacingthesamesituation.Oneofthecommunities
nottofarfromEchoParkwhichisHighlandParkwasalsoinvadedwithgentrification.This
communitywasveryuniquewhichshapedtheiridentityandidentifiedthepeoplefromthearea,
whichhasnowbeenmodifiedtobewhatisknowntobeasa
hipster
areainstead.Ibelievethat
gentrifyingcommunitiestohaveabetteroutcomeisthenotthesolution,tohaveabetter
outcomeitalldependsintheeducationthatthestudentsget.Ifwewantourcommunitiestostay
thesameastheyarenowandnotwonderifourfuturegenerationswillexperiencesthesame
lifestylethatwehadwhenwewerekidsortheonewehavenowthenitmeansthatthewhole
communityhastostandupforwhatisoursandmakeachange.Anotheressentialpointthatthe
article
'Hopeeveryonepukesonyourartisanaltreats':fightinggentrification,LAstyleby
RoryCarroll
,intheinterviewwith
StevenAlmazan,outreachchairoftheBoyleHeights
neighbourhoodcouncil
states,

GentrificationinLosAngeleshasoccurredclockwise,
progressingfromSilverLaketoEchoParktoEagleRocktoHighlandParktoLincoln
HeightsandnowBoyleHeights.Asaneighbourhood,wehaveseenhowquickly
communitiesinLosAngelescanchange,saidStevenAlmazan(Carroll).

Ialsobelieve


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thatthesolutionforthisproblemcanbeeducatingourresidentsthatliveinthesamearea,which
ourpartofoureverydaylivesthatwillhelpinformeveryonemoreeffectivelyaboutthisproblem
thatisnotonlyaffectingonecommunitybutmanymore.Weneedtostandupandspeakupso
ourfuturegenerationssotheydontgothroughthesamestrugglesthatwearegoingthrough.
Furthermore,weallneedtolearnhowtobeunited,tohelponeanotherandnotbesoselfishor
selfcaringbecauseattheendofthedayweallsharesimilarproblems,spendingmoretimein
ourcommunitywillteachusthatweareallthesameandnobodyisbetterthanothers.
Communitymemberswantedtheviolencetoend,theydidntknowthesolution,they
believedthesolutionwasgentrification.Manyofthemembersofthiscommunityarepartofthe
workingclassincludingmyfamily,majorityofthemdidntknowthemeaningofgentrification
orwhatitwouldbringalong.TheLosAngelesMagazinesharesthearticleLosAngelesIs
EatingItselfAfteralmosttwoyearsaway,anAngelenocomesbacktoaplacehehardly
recognizesby
BenEhrenreich
hestates,AtsomepointthestraydogsdisappearedIdidnt
noticeuntilaftertheyweregoneandIfoundmyselfmissingtheroostersthatIhadcursed
everyweekendmorning.Sure,therewerefewershootings,butadifferentkindofviolence
reigned,thelessobvioussortthatbreaksupfamilieswithoutabullet,justarenthikeoranotice
fromthesheriffinstarkofficialese(Ehrenreich).Adifferenttypeofviolencewascreatedwhich
isthelostofcultureforouryoungergenerations.Theywilllosemanyoftheirresourcesthatthey
hadandwillstarttobecomenewrestaurantsorcoffeeshopsforthenewconsumersthatwilljoin
thiscommunity.ThecommunityofBoyleHeightsnearEchoParkhasbeentargetedtowards
gentrificationalthoughtheircommunitymembersaren'tgivinguptheircommunityupsofast.
Thearticle
'Hopeeveryonepukesonyourartisanaltreats':fightinggentrification,


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LAstyleby
RoryCarroll
,states,
Gentrificationisaviolentthreat.Whenwefeelitwemay
reactinanangryway,throughfear,saidXochitlPalomera,anactivistwiththegroupCorazn
DelPueblo.BoyleHeightsisnotgoingdownwithoutafight.Weknowwhatwereupagainst
andwerenotafraid.Ourrootsrundeephere(Carroll).Byhavingpeoplebeingawareofwhat
thiswordmeansandalsorealizingwhatithasdonetocertainareasofLosAngelescitizenswill
starttorevoltandfightagainstitduetothefactthatmanyhistoricalmonumentswillendup
disappearingandlosingitsculturalvalue.
WelostthesparkwhichmadeEchoParkuniquewenowtrytofitinwithasocietythat
doesn'tacceptusforwhoweare.Iwanttosaythatourproblemissortalikeglobalwarming,we
decidetoavoiditeventhoughitsonlygettingworse.Eachyearourplanetisgettingwarmer
meanwhilepeopleinmycommunitystarttoknoweachotherless.InthebookWhereWeStand:
ClassMattersbybellhooks,shestates,Classmatters.Raceandgendercanbeusedasscreens
todeflectattentionawayfromtheharshrealitiesclasspoliticsexposes.Clearly,justwhenwe
shouldallbepayingattentiontoclass,usingraceandgendertounderstandandexplainitsnew
dimensions,society,evenourgovernment,saysletstalkaboutraceandracialinjustice
(hooks).Westarttochange,changewhoweareandourbeliefsintosomethingthatweknow
isn'tmeantforusbutwestilldoitto
feel
partofasocietythatdoesn'tacceptusforwhoweare.
Globalwarmingisntstoppinganytimesoon,soisgentrification,thisepidemicwillonlyspread
moreandmore.Theamountofeducationthatourcitizensgetorhaveisn'tenoughforusto
realizethe
realproblem,
weneedbettereducationtopreventproblemslikethese.Theonly
solutionwehaveistogeteducated,toknowwhatstufflikethisreallymeansweneedmore
recreationcenterstohelponeanother.Thereisntanymore
feelingunited
inthiscommunity


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becausewehavechangedourcartsintocoffeeshopsorfancyrestaurants,ourstrollsthroughthe
parkintoyogasessionsordogwalks,allforpeoplethatmakesusfeelunwelcome

to
our
communityinwhichwegrewupin,whenmajorityofthepeopledisrememberwhoarethereal
invadersin
our
community.
OnedaywalkingfromthestreetEchoParkandsunsetBlvd,Istartedtoreminisceabout
theyearsthatIspentgoingtoElCentroDelPuebloRecreationCenterafterschool.Itmademe
reflectduringthistimethatIwaswalkinghome,allkidsthatwouldgotothisrecreationcenter
wouldhavesomuchfuneventhoughthecenterdidnthavealotoffunds.MaryPipherinher
bookWritingtoChangetheWorld,shestates,Wecancomewithgoodreasonstodelay.We
canmakeexcusesandpsychourselvesout.Yetwecantletourselvesturnawaywehaveto
divein(Pipher72).Mygoalistobringhappinesstochildren,bybringinginfundstoour
communityrecreationcenter.MygoalistogetfundsfromthemayoroftheLosAngelescityto
givemoreopportunitiestothisrecreationcenter.Ibelievethatwritingaletterandalso
explainingtomayorthemajordifferencethatitwillmakeinourcommunitythatitwillwork.By
havingmoremoneyforthisparticularlyrecreationcenteritwilldefinitelybringinmorejoy
towardsallthekidsthatliveinthiscommunity.
Majorityofchildrentendtolookforactivitiesafterschool,theybelievethatanythingthat
keepsthementertainisagoodoption.Althoughnowadaysmanychildrenwillprefertostayat
homeandplayvideogamesorwatchmoviesinsteadofchoosingtogooutsideandplayasport.It
isimportantespeciallynowadaysforchildrentobeactiveasmuchaspossiblebecausewenow
sufferalotofhealthissuesthataremostlyattackedtowardsyoungchildren.InthearticleThe
ConceptofDiscourseCommunity,byJohnSwaleshestates,Weneedthentoclarify,for


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proceduralpurposes,whatistobeunderstoodbydiscoursecommunityand,perhapsinthe
presentcircumstances,itisbettertoofferasetofcriteriasufficientlynarrowthatitwilleliminate
manyofthemarginal,blurredandcontroversialcontenders(Swales469).Thisquotemademe
reflectonthemainissuethatmycommunityhasandrealizedthatitistimetoactuallyspeakout
aboutit.Ibelievethatthisisanissueinmycommunitybecausewehavearecreationcenterbut
doesn'tdomuchadvertisingtowardstheactivitiesthatitholdsforthechildren.Inthearticleof
BrandingtheRecreation,ParkandTourismProduct,byHaroldJ.Nolan,Jrstates,Thekeyin
brandingistounderstandthespecificbenefitsconsumersareprioritizingandpositionthose
benefitsthroughoutanymarketingendeavors(Harold).Bylettingknowourcommunityabout
ourrecreationcenterthiswillgiveparentsmoreoptionsinpreventinganyhealthissuethatmay
happentowardstheirchildren.Ithinkthatifitdidmoreadvertisingitwoulddecreasetheamount
ofhealthissuesthatalotofchildrenhappentosufferinthiscommunityanditwillgivethema
newopportunitytomeetnewpeoplebutalsoadistractionforthechildren.Thekidswillbeable
tolearnnewactivitiesandbeabletojoinafamily,whichwillbetheirteam.Irememberedthat
beforeIstartedgoingtothisrecreationcenterandjoineddrillteamIwouldbereallyboredat
homeandalsostressedoutbecauseIwouldntdomuchafterschool.Althoughthiswillbenefita
lotofchildrenbecausetheywillbeabletogetdistractedforawhilewhentheydotheiractivities
andalsohelpthemdobetterintheireducation.Furthermore,itcouldhelpthechildrencomeout
oftheircomfortzonejustlikeIdid.IrememberedwhenIfirststarteddrillteamthatIwasreally,
reallyshybutonceIstartedtogettoknowthegirlsbetterIstartedtobemorecomfortablewith
myteammatesandgotovermyshyness.Theywilllearnhowtocomeoutoftheirshelland
interactwithnewpeoplewhichcanhelptheminthelongrunwhentheybecomeolder.


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Byhavingrenewedtherecreationcenterinmycommunitytherewillbemoreoptionsfor
notonlythechildrenbutalsotheparents/adultsinthecommunitythatmightbenefitfrom.
AuthorsStephenSpringsandDwayneBrinkley,supportersofreccentersinurbancommunities,
arguehow,Recreationdirectorsaswellasfacilityplannersmustgrapplewithhowbesttoserve
thesedifferentagegroups,atthesametimethattheystrugglewithfinancialselfsufficiency
oneofthebiggestbalancingactsofthiserainrecreation(TheRemakingofRecCenter).The
bestwaytogetmorefundsforthisrecreationcenterwillbebyaskingthemayor,myplanisthat
Icanexplainwhatthefundswillbeusedin.Iplantodistributethemoneyevenlysports,
education,andsnacksforthechildren.Butanothersolutionthatmaybeheldasanactivityis
havethechildrenconductresearchofhowgentrificationhasimpactedpreviouscommunitiesand
howlikelyitistospreadtoanewneighborhood,thiswillnotonlyletthechildrenknowfroma
youngagebuttheywillalsobeabletoteachothercitizens.Ibelievethateachvisitorwhowalks
inElCentroDelPueblodeservestogetawonderfuleducationbutalsoawonderfulexperience
intheuniquecultureandcommunityoftheneighborhood,

spenthavingfuninwhattheyliketo
dowhichmeansthattheywillmostlikelydobetterwhentheygrowuporlearnnewstuff.There
aremanysolutionsforadvertisingbutIbelievethatthebestwaytoleteveryoneinthe
communityknowabouttherecreationcenterwillbebutthrowingtheclassical
ElCentroDel
Pueblo
festival.Thewholecommunitywillnoticeandtheywillbethrilledtohaveoneofthese
eventsalloveragain.Overall,Whilegentrificationwillcontinuetobearealityinourworld
nothingstaysthesameforeveritdoesn'tmeanthatbeautiful,communityoriented,
culturallyrichneighborhoodsneedtobereplacedbyStarbucksand7eleven.Wecanhave
changethatsupportsthecultureofthecommunity.Thisissueneedstobetakencareofassoon


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aspossiblebecausethelongerittakes,theharderitllbetosolve.Whenmorepeoplenoticeand
starttocareofthisproblemtheywillresistandcompromisewitheveryoneelse.Bringingmore
advertisementtowardsthisissuewillcatchpeople'sattentionbecausetheywouldn'twantthe
sameproblemtohappenintheircommunity.Itwilldefinitelyunitepeoplemorebutalsoteach
thepresentandfuturegenerationsthatstandingtogetheritismucheasiertogetthingsdone.


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WorkCited

Anders,Allison.MiVidaLoca.Youtubevideo.Youtube.com,15Oct2012.Web.
24March2016.

Carroll,Rory.HopeEveryonePukesonYourArtisanalTreats':FightingGentrification,
LAstyle.TheGuardian.GuardianNewsandMedia.19Apr.2016.Web.27Apr.2016.

Ehrenreich,Ben.LosAngelesIsEatingItselfAfterAlmostTwoYearsAway,anAngeleno
ComesBacktoaPlaceHeHardlyRecognizes.
LosAngelesMagazine
.2015.Web.24Mar.
2016.

Hooks,Bell.WhereWeStand:ClassMatters.NewYork:Routledge,2000.Print.

Lin,Jan.etal.NortheastLosAngelesGentrificationinComparativeandHistorical
Context.
KCET
.2015.Web.5Mar.2016.

Pipher,Mary.WritingtoChangetheWorld.NewYork:RiverheadBooks,2006.Print

Nolan,HaroldJ."BrandingTheRecreation,ParkAndTourismProduct."Parks&
Recreation.MasterFILEPremier.Web.1Mar.2016.


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Romero,Dennis.DespiteBoomingGentrification,HomelessnessIsontheRiseinL.A.
L.A.Weekly.12May2015.Web.05Mar.2016

Simpson,Isaac.etal.IsGentrificationRuiningLosAngeles,orSavingIt?PickaSide.
L.A.Weekly.29Jan.2015.Web.05Mar.2016

Springs,Stephen.etal.TheRemakingOfRecCenters."Parks&Recreation.
MasterFILEPremier.Web.24Feb.2016.

Swales,John.''TheConceptofDiscourseCommunity."20Feb.2016.Web.PDF.


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AnnotatedBibliography

Anders,Allison.MiVidaLoca.Youtubevideo.Youtube.com,15Oct2012.Web.24
March2016.
ThemovieMiVidaLocabyAllisonAndersshowsthelifeandalsostrugglesofyoungteens
duringthe1990sintheneighborhoodofEchoPark.Thisfilmrepresentsayoung
MexicanAmericanwomenandherfriendsandshowsthestrugglesthattheywouldgointheir
lifelikeearlymotherhoodandalsobeingstreetgangmembers.Duringthe1980sandalsothe
90sthecommunityofEchoParkhadsignificantamountofgangactivitythatwouldmakeit
easierformanyyoungcitizenstojoin.

Carroll,Rory.HopeEveryonePukesonYourArtisanalTreats':FightingGentrification,
LAstyle.TheGuardian.GuardianNewsandMedia.19Apr.2016.Web.27Apr.2016.
InthisarticlebyRoryCarrollheexplainsthatintheneighborhoodofBoyleHeights
gentrificationwantstotakeactionalthoughthecommunitymembersarefightingbackandnot
welcomingthisvirus.Throughouthisarticlehegathersinterviewsfromdifferentcitizenspartof
thecommunitybutalsofromdifferentorganizationsthatareunitedandfightingfor
gentrificationtonotentertheircommunitybecausetheyknowthatitalreadyhasdestroyedmany
morecommunities.


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Ehrenreich,Ben.LosAngelesIsEatingItselfAfterAlmostTwoYearsAway,anAngeleno
ComesBacktoaPlaceHeHardlyRecognizes.
LosAngelesMagazine
.2015.Web.24Mar.
2016.
BenEhrenreichdiscusseshowhiscommunitychangedaftertwoyearsofbeingaway,oncehe
wasreadytoreturnhewasexpectingforhiscommunitytobethesameashehadleftalthough
oncehegottherehesoonrealizedthatthecommunityhehadlefthadalreadydisappeared.
Ehrenreichexplainsthathestartedtonoticethebeginningstagesofgentrificationthroughoutthe
cityofLosAngelesbecausewhenhewoulddrivebyhewouldnoticesomebuildingsandthena
coupleofweeksormonthswillpassby,hewoulddrivebyagainandnoticethattheyhavebeen
throwndown.Hediscussesthatthereasonwhyhiscommunitytransformeditselfwasdueto
gentrification,hebelievesthatgentrificationhasmanystagesofhowitstartstohappen.
Furthermore,BenEhrenreichalsoletsusknowthatmoreandmorecommunitiesaroundtheCity
ofLosAngelesarebeingaffectedbygentrification.
Hooks,Bell.WhereWeStand:ClassMatters.NewYork:Routledge,2000.Print.
InthebookWhereWeStand:ClassMattersbybellhooksshetalksaboutmanytopicsthatare
veryinterestingalthoughoneofherdiscussiontopicthatstoodouttomewastheimportanceof
class.Manypeoplenowadaysbelievethatclassisnotimportantanymoreasitusedtobebefore
althoughitisstillpresentinourlives.Manypeoplejudgeusdependingontheareaweliveand
bythelifestyleweheld,butmanyofusdon'trealizethatdependofourareacodealsodepends
onthetypeofopportunitiesthatwewillreceive.Thissubjecthasalottodowithgentrification,
becausewhatgentrificationiscurrentlydoingispushingawaytheloworworkingclasscitizens


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awayandbringinginhighormiddleclasscitizens.Whenpeoplerealizethatclassstillexistthey
willthenstarttolookforsolutionsinhowtochangethis.
Lin,Jan.etal.NortheastLosAngelesGentrificationinComparativeandHistorical
Context.
KCET
.2015.Web.5Mar.2016.
AsIhavepreviouslystatedtheissueofgentrificationthisarticlegivesmoresupporttowards
whypeopleshouldacknowledgethisproblemduetothefactthatnotonlyisitaffectingustoday
butitwillonlystarttogetworsewithtimeandonceithasreachedthatstagetheonlyonesthat
willsufferaregoingtobeourfuturegenerationsduetothelackknowledgethattheywillhave
towardstheircultureandalsohistory.

Pipher,Mary.WritingtoChangetheWorld.NewYork:RiverheadBooks,2006.Print
TheauthorMaryPipherdiscusseshowpeopleareabletomakeanimpacttowardstheir
communityorintheworldthroughwriting.Everyonehasauniquevoiceandexpressdifferent
issuesthatneedtobesolved.Sheexplainsmethodsthatpeopleareabletoreachthestagein
expressingwhotheytrulyareandwhattheyarestandingfor.Whenpeopledothistheyletknow
othersabouttheissuesthattheydiscussbutalsogivesusopportunitiestoexpresswhoweare
andwhatwegothroughinwriting.
Nolan,HaroldJ."BrandingTheRecreation,ParkAndTourismProduct."Parks&
Recreation.MasterFILEPremier.Web.1Mar.2016.
Manyneighborhoodsorcommunitiesstillhaverecreationcenters,thesecentersmakeabig
impacttowardsthelivesofthecitizensthatliveinthesecommunitiesbecausetheyreabletoget
moreresourcesforfreeorsomethingatareducepricethatisveryconvenientforthem.WhenI


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wasyoungIwaspartofacheerteamthatwasheldinsidearecreationcenterinmycommunity.I
believethatbyhavingsuchplacesitgivesthechildrenmoreopportunitiesliketomeetnew
peopleandalsogetmoreeducationresources.IfeelthatitmadeabigimpacttowhoIamtoday
duetothefactthatIwouldgoeverydayformanyyears.

Romero,Dennis.DespiteBoomingGentrification,HomelessnessIsontheRiseinL.A.
L.A.Weekly.12May2015.Web.05Mar.2016
InthisarticletheauthorDennisRomeroexplainsthateventhoughwehaveacurrentproblem
goingoninsidethecityofLosAngelesthattherearesomeconsequencesthatcomealongwhen
thisproblemgetsoutofcontrol.Oneofthebigissuesthathascomeoutfromgentrificationis
homelessness.Nowadaysmoreandmorecitizensarestartingtobecomehomelessduetothe
highpricesofrent,thelostofjobs,andalsothefactthateverythingincertaincommunitieswere
forworkingorlowerclasscitizensstartedtobecomemorepriceyforhighormiddleclass
citizens.ThecityofLosAngelesisknownforhavingmanyhomelesscitizens,thefamousstreet
skidrowforexamplenowimaginetheamountthatisbeingcreatedduetogentrification.

Simpson,Isaac.etal.IsGentrificationRuiningLosAngeles,orSavingIt?PickaSide.
L.A.Weekly.29Jan.2015.Web.05Mar.2016
Inthisarticletheauthorsexplainthedifferencebetweenthenegativeandalsothepositiveeffects
thatgentrificationbringsalongtothecityofLosAngeles.Manypeoplebelievethatthisissue
onlybringsnegativeeffectsbecausemanyofthecultureofbackgroundhistorywilldisappear.I


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thinkthatthisisagreatarticlebecauseitshowsbothofthesidesandgivesmanydetailsthat
citizensmayormaynotknowandalsolearnalittlebitmoreofbothsideregardingthisissue.

Springs,Stephen.etal.TheRemakingOfRecCenters."Parks&Recreation.
MasterFILEPremier.Web.24Feb.2016.
Inthisarticletheauthorsexplainhowremakingrecreationcenterswillimpactthecitizens
becausetheywillgetnewandbetterprogramsthatwillimprovetheirhealthbutalsotheir
educationandtheywillbeabletomakenewfriendsamongthecommunity.AlthoughIrecently
talkedabouthowrecreationcentersimpactedmylife,Ibelievethatitcouldhavepositiveeffects
towardseveryonebecauseitcanbeusedasatimetorelaxandforgetabouteverythingelse.

Swales,John.''TheConceptofDiscourseCommunity."20Feb.2016.Web.PDF.
JohnSwalesinTheConceptofDiscourseCommunitydiscusseshowthisaffectsusalotbecause
itisbasicallyseparatingusandputtingusindifferentranks.Insteadofbeingonewholeunited
groupwetendtolookfordifferencesandthenorganizeourselvesaccordingtothosedifferences
orsimilaritiesthatwemightfind.IbelievethatthisisanimportanttopicthatJohnSwales
explainedandit'salsoreallygoodtohaveitinmindbecauseoncewestarttomakedifferences
regardingthisissuewewillstarttoseemanydifferences.


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