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- ‘Pasadena Made Me’: What the L.A. wildfires couldn't take away.
‘Pasadena Made Me’: What the L.A. wildfires couldn't take away.
We could all need some precedented times right now.
Aaricka Washington
January 24, 2025
We’e literally been through the fire this month, haven’t we, Los Angeles? It’s been heartbreaking to watch these past three weeks, and I want to acknowledge your pain, too. I feel you. To help out, we’ve created afrolanews.org/fires as a hub for our fire coverage and resources to support you in this time of need. We are here for you, friend.
Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump has signed numerous executive orders concerning issues around immigration, climate and demographic diversity initiatives that would impact several marginalized communities in the United States.
It’s easy to get anxious about the state of our communities and our country. It’s easy to tense up, cry and doomscroll when every day feels like a “BREAKING NEWS” day.
I encourage us to all breathe and to take a step away from the computer from time to time.
You are not alone. We’re in this together. Establishing a truly healthy community online, but even more importantly embracing people offline is going to be key right now.
There have been two things that have given me a semblance of joy:
These photos of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. playing with his children in the backyard of their Atlanta home. They show me that amidst all of the strife in fighting for a better life for marginalized people, joy is still possible.
My recent interview with four Black women Community Aid Dena volunteers. Through their collective’s database, donors have raised nearly $20 million and helped nearly 800 Black families who were impacted by the Eaton fire in Pasadena and Altadena. Read it here and watch the whole interview below.
Jasmine Graves was born and raised in Pasadena. In my interview with Community Aid Dena volunteers, she said something that I’ll never forget:
“Pasadena is what made me. My whole concept of community care, my whole understanding of our safety being facilitated by the strength of our relationships in our community and our bonds, our literal ability not just to survive, but to thrive all of that is rooted in the strength of our connection and our relationships in our community.”
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to truly build community in my personal life and in this society. Is building community more than just checking in once a month with folks? Or is it more intimate…more consistent? Is it no matter what the situation is? How can I establish community in my own life?
I want to hear from you. Please send me the ways that you have grown (or are growing) community in your personal sphere to my email at [email protected].
FEATURED STORY
A colorful mural and inspirational sign decorate the exterior of this Grocery Outlet whose parking lot serves as a staging area for responders in Altadena following the Eaton Fire. (Shady Grove Oliver/AfroLA)
Black residents of Altadena and Pasadena hope to preserve their community’s cultural legacy in the wake of the Eaton Fire that devastated the area last week, but they worry there will be more challenges ahead. The Great Migration brought many Black families to the area from the 1930s through the 1980s; they purchased homes which they passed down to their children and grandchildren. Many acclaimed Black artists, authors, athletes, activists and community leaders have lived and worked in these communities over the years. Now, people who have been displaced by the fire worry they won’t have access to enough resources to rebuild. Despite the challenges, they have been coming out to support one another during this time of crisis
SUPPORT AFROLA
We also have an important update. Due to the generous support from you and other readers we met our NewsMatch goal. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 we raised more than $5,000 from individuals and those donations were doubled – resulting in $15,000 toward our important work.
Obviously, none of knew what we’d face after the holidays.
Our reporters are on the ground talking to people who have been impacted by the L.A. wildfires. And, we’re doing it while we grapple with the challenges of the wildfires ourselves: poor air quality, evacuation alerts. We are doing the WORK, but we need help to keep going. The devastation will affect many months to come, and we want to be able to be in it, delivering quality journalism. Donate to us today. We need your support to keep this momentum going.
THE ROUNDUP
By Andrea Gutierrez (LA Public Press)
These fires have left ash and smoke everywhere even on the fruit in our trees. If you’re wondering if your oranges and lemons (along with all of the produce in your garden) is safe to eat, check out Andrea’s article. Turns out, it can be safe to eat but you need to take precautions. You might just need to decontaminate. Learn how to assess your risk, decontaminate, think about the bigger picture in all of this.
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By Brandon Tensley (Capital B)
What’s next for DEI programs, the nation’s involvement with the World Health Organization and capital punishment? How might this administration treat Haitian immigrants who have escaped to the U.S. from violence and natural disasters? If you want the break down of some of Trump’s executive orders and how they will impact Black Americans, check out this article.
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by Eugene Daniels (Politico)
Former vice president Kamala Harris is on the move after her unsuccessful bid for the presidency. She’s got a with a new LLC called Pioneer49. Not much is known about what she might do next…will she try again for the presidency in 2028? Will she run for California governor? Will she do something totally different? We will have to wait and see.
MORE STORIES
What to pack in an emergency go-bag
By Katie Licari
As we continue to face dangerously windy weather amidst a historic wildfires crisis, it’s imperative that we are all prepared for anything. We don’t know what area may be at risk next, so here’s our video guide to be ready with an emergency go-bag.
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Calling out misinformation around L.A.’s fires
By Katie Licari
Misinformation around the fire seemed to spread at a similar pace to the flames itself. People from every political ideology (but mostly on the right) used the fire to further their own agenda. Now-President Trump used it as an opportunity as a racist dogwhistle: DEI was to blame for the flames; blame the water shortage issues on Gov. Newsom as opposed to the culprit, climate change. Several Republican lawmakers are using DEI as an excuse or condition to withhold aid from California.
Mother Jones, Politifact and NPR have done amazing work debunking misinformation surrounding L.A.’s fires. AfroLA will continue to call out misinformation around the wildfires and related issues, and spotlight the work of colleagues who do the same.
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(Photo credit: iStock)
A grassroots effort is underway to get emergency medical supplies to people with Type 1 diabetes who have been displaced by the wildfires in Los Angeles. People with long-term health conditions like diabetes are more at risk during crises and natural disasters as it can be challenging to quickly replace lost medications and supplies. Since last week, volunteers have taken in and sorted donations and made in-person deliveries to people in need across Los Angeles county. They have continuous glucose monitors and insulin pump supplies, syringes, test strips, glucometers, alcohol prep pads, device overlays and more. See below for details on how to connect with the group for supply pickup or delivery.
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The L.A.-based nonprofit, Inclusive Action, established a fund for outdoor workers whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by recent wildfires. Applications for aid closed last week, but Inclusive Action is still taking donations to support the fund via their GoFundMe. Funds will be distributed as direct cash assistance in the amount of $500 to people whose primary work happens outside – like landscapers, street vendors and recyclers – regardless of immigration status. According to the nonprofit, the more they are able to raise in the coming weeks, the more assistance they can provide.
WEEKEND WATCH
This week, FEMA held workshops at public libraries across Los Angeles for Altadena residents to apply for aid. AfroLA’s photojournalist William Jenkins spent some time reporting and producing a video in communities impacted by the Eaton Fire.
"About 300 families have come in," says Mark Totten, Community Manager at La Cañada Flintridge Library.
Many people, including Shé Shé Yancy, are not sure how to move forward from the effects of the Eaton Fire, "I go from trying to stay faithful, try to keep myself up, to hysterically crying." While FEMA has responded to the crisis, they say they can't do it all alone. Nicole Wilson, a spokesperson from FEMA says that "local organizations, churches, advocacy groups — they all pitch in to help with recovery." Communities in Altadena and Pasadena continue to support one another by donating food, clothes and other necessities.
Check out William’s video on TikTok (while it’s still in America…), and below.
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