Julia Barajas
I explore how college students achieve their goals — whether they’re fresh out of high school, or going back for the first time in years — and what support they get along the way.
My exposure to college began when I was a high school senior. In all my years of schooling, I’d never been assigned anything written by a person of Mexican descent, despite growing up in L.A. County. So when a brochure for East Los Angeles College appeared in my family’s mailbox, I tried out dual enrollment, and took an introductory Chicano Literature course. We read everything from Tomás Rivera’s “... And the Earth Did Not Devour Him” to Bernice Zamora’s “Notes from a Chicana ‘COED.’” And what I learned there — about writing, about history, and about myself — stayed with me. It informed my decision to major in literature and Latin American studies when I went on to earn a four-year degree, and it continues to shape the work I do now.
My hope is that all college students will get a similar chance to chart a course for themselves, guided by their own curiosities and ambitions.
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Baker Commodities Inc. in the city of Vernon is suing the government agency that oversees it for $200 million in damages. Neighbors had celebrated its temporary shutdown. Now an upcoming court decision could allow a full reopening. -
Southeast L.A. residents have grappled with the stench of rotting flesh for decades, on top of other environmental ills.
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When it comes to foul odors, there’s no need to grin and bear it. Here’s a guide on where to report problems in Southern California.
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On LAist’s AirTalk, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass discussed the strike, saying L.A. has become unaffordable.
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Picketers went back to work Wednesday, but contract negotiations remain unresolved.
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When L.A.'s waitlist opened last fall, 30,000 applicants landed a spot. Many are now wondering how their monthly payments will be calculated.
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New ordinances cap annual rent increases at 3% and add relocation assistance.
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Garfield High School unveiled a plaque honoring the legacy of the student protests.
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Members of Molina's quilting group say the pioneering politician stood by their side through tough times.
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Through paintings, photographs, and installations, “South L.A. Is Still Home” delves deep into how the housing crisis affects on Black and Latino residents.
