We are
Southeast Los Angeles
SOMOS SURESTE LOS ANGELES
NARRATIVE PROJECT | PROYECTO NARRATIVO
Proyecto Vecindad agradece a la comunidad del sureste de Los Angeles por compartir sus experiencias y historias. Su participación fomenta el orgullo en nuestros barrios y contribuye a la educación de nuestras futuras generaciones.
Project Neighborhood thanks the Southeast Los Angeles community for sharing their experiences and stories. Your participation fosters pride in our neighborhoods and contributes to the education of our future generations.
May 2016 |Mayo de 2016
“Estoy muy contenta, muy agradecida que nos tomen en cuenta como comunidad Latina, porque estos eventos solo están en áreas de güeros, y nosotros también nos merecemos un evento como este, ojala que lo hagan más seguido!”
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"I am very happy and thankful that our Latina/o community is taken into account, because these events happen only in gringo communities,
and we also deserve an event like this, I hope it happens more often!"
Jasmine - South Gate, May 15th, 2015
Photographer: Cynthia Romero,
Interviewer: Karla L. Alonso
Maria Cuvarubia ha vivido en a la ciudad de Huntington Park por mas de 21 años. En los ultimos diez y ocho años, María ha abogado por la educación en su comunidad. Maria nos cuenta que “gustaría ver un centro cultural donde jóvenes puedan reunirse hacer tarea y otras actividades, sin la preocupación de no sentirse seguros…mi experiencia aquí ha sido triste y me rompe el corazón cuando busco apoyo y lo niegan… Aun sigo luchando por mi comunidad.”
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Maria Cuvaruba has lived in the city of Huntington Park for over 21 years. Within the last eighteen years, she has advocated for education in her community. Maria tells us she would to see “a cultural center where youth can meet and do homework or other activities without worrying about safety...I have had a sad experience here and it breaks my heart when we look for support and it’s denied… I will still fight for my community."
Maria Cuvarubia - Huntington Park, May 15th, 2015
Photographer: Omar Espinoza,
Interviewer: Anakaren Monroy
What do you like the most about living in South East L.A?
Carmelo : I feel very safe and happy that we are such a tight community.
Juana: It is very commercial, and we can easily shop locally.
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What is something that you would like to see different in the Southeast?
Carmelo: La Salud (Our health). Unfortunately, not everyone has access to affordable health care…it is something that the communities should be concerned about.
Juana: I agree, our communities hardly promote recreational activities and eating healthy. It often harms our children.. they are our future.
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What would you like to say to the people of the Southeast?
Carmelo: That we must do our duty as citizens whether it means participating in events, or being involved in our communities. Doing things like this (Ciclavia) is also part of our community’s education.
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One word to describe your experience living in Southeast LA?
Carmelo: Lo Mejor. (The best)
Juana: Satisfying.
Carmelo and Juana - Huntington Park, May 15th, 2015
Photographer: Omar Espinoza,
Interviewer: Anakaren Monroy
Cruz has been living in the City of South Gate since 1970. He shares that in the 70’s, less recreational activities were available which often pushed people into the street life. However, he is grateful that his grandson Jacob (8 years old) has been given the opportunity to participate in events like CICLAVIA. Jacob describes his experience as one that is “exhilarating”.
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Cruz vive en la ciudad de Southgate desde 1970. Comparte que en los años 70, había menos actividades recreativas disponibles que aveses empujaban a la gente a la vida de callejeros. Sin embargo, él está agradecido que su nieto Jacob (de 8 años) ha tenido la oportunidad de participar en eventos como CiclaVia. Jacob describe su experiencia como uno que es “excitante”.
Cruz and Jacob - South Gate, May 15th, 2015
Photographer: Felix Quintana
Interviewer: Anakaren Monroy
What is your take on the whole cicLAvia event?
Mario: It brings everybody together. People from different cities that come here kind of get a different taste of what is is to be on this side. You got to remember that people here don’t know what is is to be on the south.
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Que piensas de el evento cicLAvia?
Mario: Reúne a todos. Personas de diferentes ciudades que vienen aquí consiguen un gusto de lo que es estar de este lado de la ciudad.
Lucy and Mario - South Gate, May 15th, 2015
Photographer: Efrain Espinoza
Interviewer: Gerardo Gonzalez
If you could only use one word to describe your community, what would it be?:
​Response: Proud!
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Una palabra para describir a su comunidad?
Respuesta: “Orgulloso!
South Gate, May 15th, 2015
Photographer: Cynthia Romero,
Interviewer: Karla L. Alonso
Fernando Chavarria - Bell, May 15th, 2015
Photographer: Efrain Barajas
Interviewer: Gerardo Gonzalez
What city are you from?
Right now I live in Fountain Valley in Orange County, but I was all but born and raised in Bell. That’s where my family, my parents and I left our blood, sweat, and tears. And that’s where my heart is at brother, in Bell. From the get go, 1972.
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What Do You Like About SELA?
The people, the corazón, the work ethic. Everybody trying to make a better life. I love the young people. I was once a little kid on those streets trying to make sense of everything, trying to go to school to learn, to be a better person. Also loved the neighborhoods man; the neighborhoods people lived in their front yards, they say hi to each other, good morning to each other, they care for each other, and that’s what I love, the gente.
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What are some words or one word that describes your experience here in SELA?
Essence man, it’s my essence. I am South East LA, no matter where I’m at no matter where I go, it’s in me man. It’s in my blood, it’s in my soul, it’s in my heart, and the essence of who I am.
De qué ciudad eres?
Ahora vivo en la ciudad de Fountain Valley en Orange County, pero yo naci y creci en Bell. Ahi es donde mi familia, mis papas y yo dejamos nuestra sangre, sudor y lágrimas. Y ahí es donde esta mi corazon, en Bell. Desde el comienzo, 1972.
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Que te gusta de SELA?
La gente, el corazon, la etica del trabajo. Todos tratamos de hacer una vida mejor. Me encantan los jovenes. Yo una vez fui uno de esos muchachos callejeros tratando de entender al mundo, tratando de ir a la escuela para aprender, y ser mejor persona. Yo tambien amaba estos barrios, los barrios donde la gente viven en los patios del frente, los que saludan a todos, los que dicen buenos dias, los que se preocupan de los demas, y eso es lo que amo, la gente.
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Cuáles son algunas palabras o una palabra que describe tu experiencia aquí en SELA?
La esencia, mi esencia. Yo soy el Sur Este de Los Angeles, no importa donde sea ni donde voy, eso vive en mi. Esta en mi sangre, mi alma, mi corazon, y es la esencia de quien soy."
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What would you like to say to the people of SELA? Any message?
Id just like to say, keep on moving up. Sometime people think its difficult to move forward and to get things done, but you know, its very possible in this community to keep on thriving just like we have been to be the center of Hispanic culture here in Los Angeles
What do you like about SELA, what do you like about the communities?
When I get here, it feels like home. It’s a different environment from anything and anywhere in LA. It can easily be a tight knit community. It’s just home.
What would be a word or some words that would describe your experience here in SELA?
You know like I said earlier, home. Anytime I come back here because I live out in the desert, but everytime I come back here you know, I feel like I’m breathing again, I feel like I’m normal.
What is your take on the whole CicLAvia event?
It’s just awesome, I couldn’t even imagine most of these streets closed down, because there’s always so much traffic, and to just see it open up like this for this kind of event. Its awesome for the community, it’s awesome for the people that come in and check out what we have to offer here, it’s beautiful.
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Que te gusta de SELA?
Cuando llego, siento que estoy en casa. Es un ambiente diferente que cualqier otro lado de Los Angeles. Facilmente, puede ser una communidad unida. Es mi casa.
Cuáles son algunas palabras o una palabra que describe tu experiencia aquí en SELA?
Cada vez que regreso, porque yo vivo en el desierto, pero cada vez que regreso siento que puedo respirar otra vez, me siento normal.
Que piensas de el evento CicLAvia?
Esta bien impresionante, yo ni pudiera imaginar la mayoria de estas calles cerrados, porque siempre hay traffico, y ver a las calles cerradas para este evento. Es impresionante para la comunidad, es impresionante ver la gente que viene a ver de que se trata esta ciudad. Es hermoso.
Ryan Rivas - Huntington Park, May 15th, 2015
Photographer: Efrain Espinoza
Interviewer: Gerardo Gonzalez
* Si en algún momento hay una pregunta o preocupación acerca de las fotografías y entrevistas publicadas, por favor, póngase en contacto con: somossela@gmail.com
*If at any moment there is a question or concern about the photographs and interveiws published, please contact: somossela@gmail.com