Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
On Being Black In LA: Erasure Of The Black Community That Once Was
Students walk by a new Shepard Fairey mural of Dr. Maya Angelou at the entrance of the South LA high school that bears her name. (Chava Sanchez/ LAist)
()
The theme of LAist's Black History Month coverage this year is: “What does it mean to be Black in L.A.?” We'll publish reponses from community members and staff throughout the month. Add your voice to the conversation below.
Yesterday, a woman who grew up in the San Fernando Valley shared her experiences with code switching. Today, we share the first of several responses from our own Black staff members.
Velincia Ellis has been a financial analyst with KPCC since 1996, and in public radio for 25 years. Just as she's observed changes in the media landscape, she's seen her South L.A. neighborhood and Black community change, and most devastatingly, disappear. She writes, "What happened? Where did my people go?"
Support for LAist comes from
"I am a homegrown South L.A. resident. A long time ago, being Black in my community meant togetherness, happiness, joy, prosperity, and love for one another. It also meant some hardships and despair. I saw crack cocaine invade our way of life. It tore families apart with no hope for recovery. I saw numerous gangs kill us for no other reason than to be accepted in a gang.
"Moving forward now.
"I see Black families still struggling after the Rodney King riots. I've seen buildings burned to the ground and rebuilt, but not by us — Black folks.
"I see older Blacks losing their homes to death or foreclosure and resold to non-Blacks. And, I wonder: What happened? Where did my people go?
"While there are some community-based organizations that represent Black and Brown (I belong to one), on the whole, I feel like there is no meaningful representation for Black-owned businesses or drivers for our economic growth. But for “others” in my community, there is representation and prosperity, even.
"When I go to department stores, grocery stores, etc. I don't see myself, my people, and it’s so disheartening. Where are we?
"Yet, I still hope for a better future for our brothers and sisters still working toward that American Dream, for that nostalgic iconography of apple pie and hot dogs. When I was growing up, I didn't have an American Dream to strive for. I just had hope."
Support for LAist comes from
— Velincia, South L.A.
MORE ON BEING BLACK IN LA
On Being Black In LA: Code Switching To Survive Crossing Racial Lines
- On Being Black In LA: Being Bused Across Town Opened Up City As 'A Place Of Possibilities'
MORE FROM RACE IN LA
The 8%: Exploring The Inextricable Ties Between L.A. And Its Black Residents
- Racism 101: Facilitating Deeper Conversations On Race
Race In LA: How Does Your Race Or Ethnicity Shape Your Life?
The first installment of our The 8 Percent project began exploring the inextricable ties between L.A. and its Black residents — how Black migration, community and culture have shaped and changed L.A. For Black History Month, we’re homing in on a more specific experience — yours. Tell us: What does it mean to you to be Black in L.A.?
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist