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The (Good) Times, they are a changin'
Neighbors divided, art against gentrification and something new for The Breakdown
Aaricka Washington
October 04, 2024
We have officially hit QUARTER THREE of the year, folks. Ahhh…the holiday season is upon us.
This is a time of planning costumes, Thanksgiving menus and Christmas gifts with your special loved ones. It’s honestly my favorite season, even though I may not get to see the leaves change to orange, brown and yellow hues in L.A. The good news for me? I’m running the Chicago Marathon this month so I’m proud to say that I actually won’t miss out.
Speaking of Chicago, there’s one show that had an introduction and a theme song that I will never get out of my head.
Good Times/Any time you meet a payment.
Good Times/Any time you need a friend
Good Times./Any time you're out from under.
Not getting hassled, not getting hustled.
Keepin' your head above water, Making a wave when you can.
Sitting down with my family and watching Good Times, a show that came out way before my time, is a core memory for me. The Evans family showed the lives of Black Americans living in poverty, but always trying so hard to be resilient in a racist society. James Evans was one of my favorite TV dads. His strong-willed, hardworking, family-loving warm portrayal of fatherhood was something that resonated deeply with me as a daughter. The tragic news of John Amos’ death was released publicly this week, and I am grieving.
I KNOW many of you can FEEL me on that one. Now is the time to book those concert tickets of all the legends!
I’m back with your bi-weekly newsletter breaking down the most important news for you this week.
Watch your inbox for the latest news from AfroLA and around the state, nation and world.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
Aaricka
FEATURED STORY
by Maylin Tu
For 30 years, Hector Rebolledo’s apartment building has been separated from an enclave of single-family homes by a neighborhood gate. (Maylin Tu/AfroLA)
About 30 years ago, gates were put up in the mid-city Los Angeles neighborhood of Country Club Park. Community members have been divided by a gate that no car, bike or pedestrian can pass through.
Maylin Tu wrote about how a group called Open Sidewalks LA is trying to take down gates that have separated a community.
Hector Rebolledo has been a resident in the area for more than 50 years he wants the gates taken down.
“They divide the community,” Rebolledo said.
But not everyone in the community wants the gates to come down. Tu spoke with local residents on both sides of the issue, and the gates. Read more about why the gates were installed to separate the community in the first place and what neighbors are doing about it now in Tu’s article.
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WHAT’S NEW, WHAT’S NEXT?
It’s Election season, friends! Read some of our original election coverage:
Here are some important dates you should know:
Oct. 5 - Mail-in ballots sent to voters
Oct. 21 - Last day to register online to vote. Here’s how to register.
Oct. 26 - Vote centers open. Find your Los Angeles location.
Oct. 29 - Last day to request a replacement mail-in ballot
Nov. 5 - Election Day! And, the last day for mail-in votes to arrive at county elections offices
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MORE FROM AFROLA
Gentrification efforts have long plagued the Boyle Heights predominantly Latine community. Artist Josiah O’Balles chose to make a statement with a 56-foot mural that gives the people in the community agency.
“You gotta ask yourself, ‘why do people wear masks?’” O’Balles said. “What are we protecting ourselves from? In my eyes, we’re protecting ourselves from gentrification. That’s why there are these masked people because they’re protecting themselves and then furthermore they’re protecting their community.”
AfroLA reporter and filmmaker William Jenkins interviewed O’Balles about his inspiration behind his mural, ‘Flowers of Los Angeles’. See the mural for yourself on 1300 E First St, 90033. Watch the behind-the-scenes video here.
ICYMI: IN OTHER NEWS…
We have a new section for you. This will be the place where we’ll give you local, state, national and international news impacts your communities. Let’s get into it…
Recently the nonprofit Alliance for Safety and Justice led a march at the nation’s capital that included mostly of Black women. The 19th spoke with several Black women, some who were survivors of violent crime and some who were mothers of victims — about their perspectives with balancing justice and crime prevention. Many are starting to see Vice President (and former California prosecutor) Kamala Harris as an ally during her presidential campaign.
Black women are disproportionately affected by violent crime in America. In the city of Los Angeles specifically, Black women disproportionately make up approximately 25% to 33% of victims of violence, even though they represent less than five percent of the population according to the city data.
Read The 19th’s story.
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by Bobby Allyn, NPR
23andMe was one of the big bio-tech companies that Black Americans relied on to give them accurate data about their ancestry through DNA. Now that the company’s valuation has sharply declined 99% from its $6 million high point, one burning question remains: what will the company do with the DNA data of its 15 million customers?
Read NPR’s story to find out.
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By Annie Nova, CNBC
Student loan relief may be on the way for millions of Americans. A federal judge will allow a temporary restraining order against Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan to end. This could make a huge difference in Black Americans, as student loan debt disproportionately impacts their livelihoods.
According to the Education Data Initiative, Black college graduates have an average of nearly $25,000 more student loan debt than their white college graduates. Even four years after graduation Black alumni owe an average of 188% more than white graduates.
Read CNBC’s story.
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By Sydney Sims, Capital B
This past Sunday, unsettling video footage of a BioLab chemical facility fire in Conyers, Georgia went viral. Black, gray and orange smoke consumed the air as the pool and spa water treatment chemicals housed inside of the building caught on fire. The Environmental Protection Agency and the state Environmental Protection Division identified chlorine as a harmful irritant as well as toxic bromine in the air because of the fire. Thousands of residents were told to evacuate. Government officials ordered 90,0000 Georgia residents residents to shelter in place, close windows and shut off their air conditioning.
This wasn’t the first time BioLab had an environmentally hazardous fire in the majority Black town, reported Capital B Atlanta reporter Sydney Sims. She’s lived through three of them.
Read Capital B’s story.
“We started working with the organization this past year, and with [our founder’s] guidance, our contributors’ stories, and engagement with our audience, we have learned plenty to carry forward in all lines of work. AfroLA places a lens on Los Angeles with the intention of uplifting all Black folks, regardless of background. This work is something to be celebrated.”
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