Goeiemore, LA
This year we discuss Black History Month as part of The 8 percent, a series focusing on the lived experiences of LA’s Black Community. We ask readers throughout the month to share: What does it mean to you to be black in LA?
Here are some of the ones we’ve heard so far:
“There is a slow burning of anti-blackness that is felt in every aspect of life here … There is a thin veneer of liberalism loaded with the pretext of justice and equality, but it is reserved for every group of non-whites except African Americans. ‘
– Brandon, Long beach
“Being black tells me everything I do: driving, choosing a place to live, going to school, getting a job. It feels like you’re an outsider or a minority among minorities. ‘
– Jessica, Glassell Park
“I’m a homemade South LA resident.” A while ago, being black in my community was togetherness, happiness, joy, prosperity and love for each other … [Now] I see older blacks losing their homes to death or negative and selling to non-blacks. And I wonder: what happened? Where have my people gone?”
– Velincia, South LA
“A lot for me to be black in LA / the Valley is for me about duality: Know how to dial code and how to increase or sometimes turn off the blackness. I know in a perfect world we would say we just have to be ourselves, but in reality you can not do that sometimes. ‘
– Ashley, Hollywood
Read on for more information on what’s happening in LA today, and stay safe out there.
Correction: Yesterday’s Morning Letter erroneously said ‘some LA city council members’ accept bribes so developers cannot offer affordable housing. In fact, only former councilor José Huizar faces such charges. The same article also incorrectly said there are 66,433 people experiencing homelessness in the city. This is actually the number for the entire LA County. LAist regrets the mistakes.
What else do you need to know today
Weekend reading
There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and it’s hard enough to keep up with our daily lives, let alone keep up with the news. But if you have time for the weekend, you can miss it:
Mortality rates for black mothers and babies they are three to four times higher than for other racial groups. These LA midwives want to change that. (LAist)
The National Police Foundation will review LAPD’s response to local protests over Black Lives Matter. (LA Sentinel)
Political strategist and commentator Jasmyne Cannick writes that without the support of black voters, the campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom is dead in the water. (LA Watts Times)
A local prosecutor it makes it its mission to revolt against the criminal law reforms put forward by the new LA District Attorney. (LAist)
Jennifer Duarte, the Children’s Librarian at the Benjamin Franklin Branch Library in Boyle Heights, did her work and pandemic parenting by indicating times and spaces for everything. (The Eastsider)
The tragic death of a four-year-old girl at an intersection in Koreatown shines a light on LA’s failure to make roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists. (LAist)
Coronavirus deaths in the Latina / o community of LA has increased by 1,000% since November. (The Opinion)
For food sellers and day laborers pushing outside hardware stores looks like a typical day. (LA Taco)
There are many to know how to get the second dose of coronavirus vaccine, from how long to wait between shots, to what to do if your initial site is closed. (LAist)
These black entrepreneurs create new services, products and roads in Los Angeles. (LA Business Magazine)
For children with a family member locked up, this organization offers a space to express their pain – and process it through art. (San Fernando Valley Sun)
LA’s deep history with spicy food led to some delicious – and very hot – local mainstays. (Eeter LA)
Before you go … How ‘Mr Mayor ‘ Turned A ‘30 Rock ‘ Spinoff Into LA Comedy
The new NBC comedy Mr Mayor, with TV veteran Ted Danson as a wealthy Los Angeles advertising executive, is the youngest of Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, who were creating a modern TV comedy dynasty after the success 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
But as longtime observers of New York City, what does it mean when they start writing about LA?
Help us cover your community
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The news cycle moves fast. Some stories do not touch. Others are added. Consider this first draft of today, and take a look LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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