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LAist keeps it real, others don't. We won't judge them for doing what they're doing but semantics doesn't solve the problems of gangs and crime and education and housing and disrespect.
About three years ago the City of LA decided to officially change the name of the area known for 50 years as South Central Los Angeles to South Los Angeles. The reasoning is "South Central" had such a negative connotation that it was in people's best interest to change the name to encourage growth and investment.
Clearly the Powers That Be are more influenced by N.W.A than Shakespeare because the OG bard wrote "a rose by any other name is still a rose."
South Central has a storied and diverse history that includes the building of Watts Towers, the legacy of USC, and the home of the 1984 Olympics. The problems in the area can be fixed if those with the power actually address them in creative and substantial ways. The fact that this city is so wealthy and a large area like South Central can continue to de-volve is embarrassing.
LAist will recognize the name-change when legit improvements that actually affect LA take place. Until then enjoy one of the many songs that namecheck South Central with pride.
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Did you just read "three Shakespeares"? "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet...." Gertrude Stein said (and try not to misquote this one), "Rose is a rose is a rose."
Your blog is superior to others in LA because you
choose to use outdated nomenclature that has negative
connotations for an area that is trying to change its
image as decided on by many residents and business
owners alike after suffering debilitating riots and
gross financial mismangement?
The prolific problem lies in the public's willingness to address the social problem through their council members. There are a lot of areas of LA that need help, indeed a lot of hoods around the country. but we are too busy squabling over turf shit to get engaged in goverment. that's the only way we gonna change shit.
weekend arts,
our blog might be superior to others, but not because we choose to keep it real but because we believe that changing the image of a vital part of our city goes far deeper than taking one word out of the name of that region.
in the three years since the name has changed violence has only gone up in South Central, which should tell you that semantics is a small game for small people. how about spend energies in solving the problems and keeping the name alone?
Actually, Tony, in the last 3 years, violent crime (or "violence," as you put it) in South LA has steadily decreased, not increased.
I can only report to you the 2yr (not 3yr) change reported by LAPD, but know that this trend started decreasing in 2003. So, year to date compared to 2 years ago, the 4 LAPD Divisions covering South LA have seen a 25% reduction in violent crimes. That is significant and shows energies are vbeing spent on solving the problems and not just changing the name. The name change & reduction in violence goes hand-in-hand.
This is the most absurd posting. I just don't get the point. Is your website really doing anything for
underfunded education and pervasive violence among the youth or ghettoes of Los Angeles Or JUST TALKING in between postings about reality TV and indie rock?! Do you know anything about other hard working website writers you slag off? Do you know "diddley" about South Central besides what you saw on Mtv in 1993?
Last week LAist mentioned both how its "down with hip-hop," now we learn it "keeps it real." Real recognizes real and LAist should stick to tossing the Grate's salad in Hollywood. What do the Ists know about South Central, South LA, or south of your swivel chairs for that matter? Grow up you guys! Is your opinionated editor even from SoCal?
Keep it real? Ha! I believe this is the site that said the South Central Farmers should "just go peacefully."
Keep it real, "dogg."