Boyle Heights: Fighting the Forces of Change | Artbound | KCET

In the decades after World War II, the Boyle Heights section of East Los Angeles, just across the river from the skyscrapers of downtown and once a center of Jewish culture in L.A., was forcibly cut off from the rest of the city by a tangle of freeways. In certain ways, that isolation proved to be a source of strength for Boyle Heights, which developed a fiercely independent identity by the 1970s as an enclave for Spanish-speaking immigrants and as a center of Mexican-American culture in particular. In recent years, the neighborhood has been a settled district, home to more second and third generation immigrant families than to newcomers - mirroring trends across a city that has moved squarely into a post-immigration and even post-growth phase of its development.
Read more about the Third Los Angeles at bit.ly/3AWJzOa
Watch the full episode "Third L.A. with Architecture Critic Christopher Hawthorne" at bit.ly/3yPFk49
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#Artbound #arts #culture #SouthernCalifornia #Third #LosAngeles #ChristopherHawthorne #urban #reinvention #architecture #BoyleHeights #river #immigration #development

[@dburch7894]

Everything changes. You can’t go back.

[@mexdrgagon]

What ever happens, make sure you keep your head up Homies. 🎭

[@matthewhowell1389]

Fuck keeping your head up keep your credit score up so you don't have to worry about someone buying your house.💯

[@Mel-bt2ko]

Sweet memories especially of my grandparents who lived in there bought home on marengo st. And were there before the freeways R.I.P ... 👊💙

[@skywolf2012]

It was Jews Italians Armenians and Mexicans. They were not allowed to live west of Los Angeles river because of racism.I was born in General Hospital in Boyle Heights so I have say.

[@markjuarez6538]

Same general hospital hood!

[@rickuyeda4818]

I was born at Queen of Angels and my Doctor was a Japanese Female. I lived at 113 1/2 S Soto.

[@maureen9115]

There were also Japanese, Irish, White Russians immigrants that were also limited & locked in poverty until the next generation or 2. They worked outside of the box & made it with courage & determination without handouts or mainstream acceptance. They had to learn English. Even the Irish spoke Gaelic, not English. The neighborhoods: were the poor working class on the bottom feeder. The chicanos that lived around us ironically called us coconuts, Oreos ironically & paddys because we wanted to improve. We didn’t get the special inclusion benefits as our friends nor did we fit into the Anglo mainstream. We even helped in the Chicano movements actively. Many of us mixed with the Mexican Americans & our kids don’t honor our history as well. They only call themselves Chicano because of pressure & selfhatred that gets constantly affirmed in them from the continual Mexican immigration. Like I have been told, “you re only our token whitey”.

[@user-hb2vp7rm7s]

HOME GROWN BOYLE HTS...CEAZY PLACE GROWING UP IN THE 90'S

[@eabarr323]

WOW!!!

[@owen7185]

LA is friggin huge

[@rickuyeda4818]

I grew up in the 50's and 60's at 1st and Soto in Boyle Heights. I left Boyle Heights in 1972 and moved to North Hollywood. There was a "hunchback" in the neighborhood we called "Hot Cakes". Very nice guy, then there was the local wino named Tony. I remember when they were building I-5, the Golden Gate Freeway. We could see the freeway from our 6th grade class room. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, a military truck drove by hauling a missile which freaked Tanya Mount. Her cousin, Ana Marie Rodrigues was in the same class and had to comfort her.

[@mexdrgagon]

If you don't own you can't claim it.🛒

[@soniallanos3232]

Well idk how you can own 🤔 if you pay taxes on your land every year so dont claim James Arias.

[@Largepro21]

They do own it since the 20s

[@rudystraight1750]

if own prop its not yours since u pay taxes on it. stupid sheep. ur all goin in fema camps soon

[@ganginfr4923]

70% of boyle heights residents rent, none of them own bro

[@gmiranda32]

Is gentrification good for Boyle Heights? I I left for a reason, it was ghetto. Unfortunately, now most of Los angeles is ghetto. BH in my era was a haven for criminal activity. It very important to hold on to our Mexican culture, but there are limitations. I would move back to BH in heart beat. I was under the assumption that poverty stricken communities were the ones who experienced crime. If gentrification is going to get rid of the gangs, drugs, drunks, and undesirables, I will gladly advocate for it.

[@ciel0s]

Are you assuming that Mexican culture creates criminal activity? If you didn't, then maybe you should word your sentences better. What you call "ghetto", I call home and my safe haven from other communities that are boring and not as culturally oriented like Boyle Heights! Don't leave your community! Stay and protect it!

[@gmiranda32]

i would do it in a heart beat, however, it is very expensive. We were encourage to leave the"hood" at any means, we should have stayed and fixed it . Mexicans and culture does not advocate for gang activity. Poverty and lack of opportunity is the perpetuator. I commend your work. But, i have my reservations when i drive by and see gang graffiti. Dirty delegated neglected buildings. Then, see whats turning it. BH is not as bad as it was in the 80s and 90s. We did not have positive male roll models like Huizar, it has change for the better.

[@gmiranda32]

We have to GENTEFY NOT GHETTOFY.

[@ciel0s]

yeah we were raised like that for sure! I know I wanted to leave after highschool but just know that people got your back when you got theirs

[@gmiranda32]

Amen brother in another county. Keep up the good work.

[@malcorub]

Buy property if you don't want to be displaced. If you own, no one can force you out except by eminent domain.

[@raulgutierrez3074]

malcorub Lol you tell that to the home owners who lived where Dodgers Stadium now is . Same old game new players

[@gokaren420]

Even if you own...they will make property taxes so expensive you can't afford or make owners an offer$$$ they cannot refuse

[@howaboutno3091]

your comment lacks intelligence, supply and demand prevents everyone from owning a home. If it was a matter of a choice and not economics, racism and class then yes more people would own property. You can rent and feel connected to the community and have a sense of ownership.

[@jaimecastaneda4519]

@@howaboutno3091 A lot of people who were displaced when the freeways, Dodger Stadium, etc were built were homeowners. There was no respect for home ownership there.

[@matthewhowell1389]

If you don't own your property you should have no emotional attachment to the neighborhood surrounding it you're just renting the people that you're fighting have actually invested more into that community and two days than you have in 20 years. Real talk. If you don't like it get your credit score to 650 get an FHA that's one less piece of property in your neighborhood someone from the outside could buy. Sorry carnal times Change

[@clemdane]

What's that giant, abandoned field next to where the guy is running?

[@newuser285]

That "abandoned field" is the El Monte Airport....though I believe it's been renamed San Gabriel Airport.

[@Californiansurfer]

❤❤❤ 2023 Evergreen by Naomi Hirahara. 1947 Japanese Americans are released from camps and go to Chicago and return to Little Tokyo and find Bronzville a black communty. Great read..😢

[@e.delafuente821]

What are the names of the contributors and host?

[@clemdane]

If you liked it then you should have put a deed on it!

[@peacegirlusa4761]

Clemdane It’s called [Eminent domain] they want it you have it too bad so sad.

[@burgerluvrrage2414]

Did you even watch the video you moron?

[@bigmedge]

@@peacegirlusa4761that’s a poor excuse. Outside dodger stadium & freeway construction , eminent domain has practically never been used in LA. Like the guy said - if you liked it, should’ve put a deed on it back when it was cheap i/o wasting $ on Jordans & stereo systems

[@raskltube]

sounds fun, how come there is no tent city in the barrio?

[@markjuarez6538]

There is foo

[@Lyndanet]

1:49 El Monte

[@andreas.9175]

Gentrification would be great for El Monte. I've always know it to be a dump when going through there.

[@felicecentofanti5084]

home of homeboy industries. thank you

[@sergiomendez2353]

These is helping neighborhood grow and not becoming rundown neighborhoods. Los Angeles is such a beautiful city and these neighborhoods with Mexican immigrants that work hard and part of community.

[@mrx2276]

Hipsters and Yuppies are best off moving out to the other BH instead of Boyle Heights

[@carasucioneckiomanchild2611]

Whose perspective you are looking from directive from directive in directive of indirect directives. Comment on the comment it is also in objectivity is of objective of objectives. As in who are of objectives and who are of objective perspectives

[@Largepro21]

#LA and the state of CA , AZ NM and TX is Mexican deal with it America! We not going anywhere

[@thehorizonandtheskyline3883]

Did developers finance this episode of Artbound? This is a simplistic, biased video essay implying that gentrification will ultimately be good for Boyle Heights, without looking at the complex issues involved. It completely ignores the very real threat of displacement. Across Los Angeles thousands of people have already been evicted from their homes, and many more are facing eviction. Where are low income families supposed to go when new 1-bedrooms start at $2,000 a month? And you're making the argument that El Monte is somehow a blueprint to follow for redevelopment and gentrification? Based on what, besides wishful thinking? In spite of the expansion of transit into the area, El Monte is still largely a car-centric suburb. Speculating that El Monte may eventually prove to be a shining example of redevelopment is like speculating that Riverside may eventually become the center of the Southern California art scene. Anything is possible, but you provide no credible evidence to support your claims. And where are the opposing views? You don't talk to anyone in Boyle Heights or El Monte who has a different perspective. It's sad to see KCET stooping to present shallow, deceptive infomercials like this.

[@alfiemendo]

I was feeling the same. It doesn't indict the displacing nature of growth. It fails to speak a reality that us poor folks in Monte are feeling. The city of El Monte leaders are celebrating growth and "progress" while the quality of life for working folks diminishes. We have a "Billion Dollar Investment" package wrapped up while failing to include any community benefit agreements. We are trapped in a system where persons and economic despair destroys our simple existence. The I-10 and 60 highway are the Trail of Tears for poor folk and Raza. Pinche renta! Time to defend the barrio!

[@thestreetsaintloyalshow3133]

The Horizon and the Skyline you said it all, $2000 a month for a 1 bedroom...well we own our home so how would that hurt me or my family?

[@Stargazer88]

You mean like when immigrants move into white neighbourhoods and change them? The process that is happening many places all over the world as we speak? The world changes, you can't take it for granted that your family will be able to live in the same place for centuries. The urban areas are becoming popular after decades of vilification, so now people with more money want to move back there after their parents and/or grandparents moved away and into the suburbs decades ago.

[@NAT-turners-Revenge]

There is NO complex issues, either own or rent or GTFO! There isnt much rent control and that can be incrementally increased or full on raised by statue if the property has improvements that justify rent increases

[@thestreetsaintloyalshow3133]

@Majestic Minded not is it about you, so what’s your point

[@johnanderson777777]

Adios

[@brianpettersen8973]

Third World Boyle Heights.

[@matthewhowell1389]

At least now you can buy a nice piece of art or get a Primo cup of coffee in Boyle Heights it's better than payday loan stores and llantera shops

[@cacoca79]

how come none of the mexicans there are not encouraging diversity? dont they want asians arabs and whites living there in equal numbers?

[@cacoca79]

lets be honest its only a problem for the mexicans when they become the minority, they just dont like other races or ethnicities, they want to be the majority thats why they encourage illegal immigration and amnesty, if 90% of illegals into california were sweedish they wouldnt support it

[@am9868]

dont ask White people stole the country they own. Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining but most Mexicans/Latinos do not leech the system. Don’t believe me ? Do some research bud.

[@am9868]

Ashok Hegde Oh so I guess that justifies it perfectly right lol

[@peacegirlusa4761]

Ashok Hegde I did not say blacks built the railroads I said Chinese immigrants built the railroads and hundreds of Chinese lost their lives doing so. However, the Chinese are an amazing race with over 1 BILLION in population. They have been around for thousands of years #2 next to the Jewish people #1. We should learn from them they have so much knowledge and wisdom.

[@am9868]

Ashok Hegde Exactly just like you “colonization” So you just openly admitted that Gentrification is just like colonization, ridding people of their homes simply because you’d like to live there. disgusting.

[@willihen]

bye bye BH... here come the hipsters...

[@yamashitanakamura8589]

Stop gentrification I live here was born and raised here as well as my family my grand parents moved here in 1953 and its been our home ever since

[@scottw6375]

I would say 70 years is a sufficient amount of time for your family to have bought a house but they didn't so now you should just say thank you to the tax payers and for the system to allow your family to get free food and rent for the last 70 years but the free ride is over time to move out.

[@matthewhowell1389]

So basically you're telling me you've had 76 years for someone in three generations of a family to purchase property but you didn't and now feel entitled to the asphalt?😕

[@rogerortiz708]

No gentrification! Keep your land stand your ground by any means

[@barackobama5559]

If you own it... Which these guys dont

[@TheRjmsca]

I grew up I SD CA beautiful city. Went there recently and saw tent after tent, then you have the hepatitis out break. My family members that live there think it's normal, or no big deal. I guess it's like the frogs in a pot of water slowly being boiled. The frogs don't jump out because they don't know the heat is slowly being turn up! I see liberal values like a mom. She's going to run to the kids when they fall and hold them. Conservative values like dad, he's going to be direct, hard, and factual. We need a good balance between mom and dad. Mom means well but she's destroying one of the most beautiful cities in this nation. Sorry probably not the right video for this comment, but it made me think of home.

[@SuperReviews4you]

Wait so are these people wanting segregation? Full circle.....

[@am9868]

T Nelson Nothing to do with Segregation but Gentrification threatens Latin culture as a whole, It displaces people from their homes and communities.

[@NAT-turners-Revenge]

@@am9868 it has EVERYTHING to do with segregation 😂 a community does not threaten a culture, it threatens a way of life. A homogenous way of life, a RAZA only way of life. Your culture remains in tact if you moved to saginaw michigan created a family and used ur grandmas recipes zo open a restaurant

[@am9868]

TraRob-EastSide So what you’re saying is if Gentrification Threatens our homogeneous way of life? So then you want to Change the way Latinos live and kick them out of their communities? Lol .. Rid them of their homes by jacking up rent to unaffordable costs ?

[@harrybell3052]

What about black people

[@thecraplordsell4575]

@@harrybell3052 stop being obsessed with us

[@manny90031]

Lol really? Todd is talking about gentrification. Gtfoh!

[@nationalbrainhealthnetwork3854]

The first Los Angeles belongs to Mexico and the indigenous people. The Treaty of Hidalgo has never been acknowleged to this very day. The second Los Angeles represents Mexican Americans, Jewish/Yiddish, Russians, and Japanese Americans of BH, Boyle Heights, not Beverly Hills. As a 4th generation stakeholder of BH, it's a shame to constantly see my people displaced by corporate developers who have no respect for people. Compared to 1987, my property is worth a hell of a lot more today in B.H. Hold onto your property and stand up against these invasive tactics they are using to get your land. Every day someone approaches me, either by email, USPS and/or phone. This is B.S. The racist tactics are NOT accepted in BH! It's comparable to the maltreatment of the homeless population in Downtown L.A. Just look at LA Skid Row... We have LA politicians sleeping with developers while the homeless population is busting from the seams. High rises keep going up, and every day another person, woman, man, child, youth, elderly, disabled, Veteran, mentally ill...becomes homeless. Gentrification is urban renewal in 2018. Now the same people that left in the early 1970s want to return and live closer to corporate America and transform the ghettos and the barrios into high priced communities. This happened in Harlem thanks to Bill Clinton and the same shit is happening here. Welcome to America! In Los Angeles, call Jose "Ineffectual" Huizar and Mayor Garcetti. Ask them what they are doing about the homeless population in LA. Oh yeah, Maria Cabildo, the #1 LA Gentrifier is a good friend of Huizar and Garcetti. LA Weekly got it all WRONG! Cabildo is NOT a "pinche" saint and well-liked in BH---Boyle Heights!

[@occupytillicome6222]

I heard huizar is under investigation

[@SuperRip7]

I wish people spoke more English.