L.A. Civic Pride

[VZN]

This was inspired by jlrobe's post in the L.A. Central thread...

This was something that I never really gave too much thought about, but I do feel that its something that should be addressed. Do Angelinos, as a whole, have an immense amount of pride for their city compared to other cities in this country? In my opinion... not as much.

If you go up north to the S.F. Bay Area, they let you know straight up that you're in the Bay. Go to NYC, and New Yorkers let you know straight up that you're in Noo Yawk. Go to the midwest in Chicago, and they let it be known that you set foot in Chi-Town. Those areas all have residents that let YOU know that they're proud of where they came from and if you even attempt to disrespect their hood that you're gonna have a problem.

Outside of the people on this and other forums and from a handful of people I know in person, there are Angelinos out there who tend to be apologetic about the city and will even put it down in some instances when out of towners talk about L.A. But why? What is it about the city that makes those particular Angelinos afraid to represent and defend their city?

The point is this - what can we do as Angelinos to give other Angelinos out there a sense of civic pride? And what is it exactly that creates civic pride?

[klamedia]

LA is a non-conformist, libertarian type city. There exists other cities actually do suck but you will find more civic pride within them and we all know that every city has its shortcomings like rats in NYC or Chicago winters but that still doesn't dampen civic pride. So their has to be another reason why LA isn't that deeply into civic pride. And don't give me the transient nature of the city either. It has to be in the DNA of the city, it just isn't a rah-rah we're in this together type city, leading many to feel a sense of displacement.

[solongfullerton]

All I know is that when I was growing up in the 80s and early 90s LA was the devil, especially considering I was living in Orange County at the time. I think this attitude has perpetuated itself and continues to do so in all areas of the city and the region. However, it seems that as the city cleans up its act, I think more and more people are being proud to be Angelenos, especially in areas like Silverlake, Downtown, and Venice. These neighborhoods are finally becoming desirable places to live after years of being left derelict. As more and more neighborhoods become more liveable for middle class residents ($50k-$125K/year) and transportation options become better and better, more and more people are going to have civic pride, including transplants. Hey, we've already got the weather.

This of course doesn't count the large 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation hispanic Angelenos. I think many of these residents have a ton of civic pride (much moreso than the average white angeleno), but it doesn't seem to count since they are minorities. I'll tell you one thing, I've never seen a white person with a LA tattoo anywhere on their body, let alone on their head like I saw on some guy last week.

[yamota]

The only white people I've seen wearing articles of clothing with "LA" on it were people who were anywhere but LA. It was like "LA gear" clothing from 20 years ago; the only people I saw wearing LA Gear shoes were people outside LA.

[Westsidelife]

As a native Angeleno, I can assure you that I have immense civic pride in my hometown. But prior to my days spent on SSC, I never really gave it much thought. I always was proud to represent Los Angeles and all, but I took certain things for granted. Having realized that not all cities have the wonderful Mediterranean climate, extreme ethnic diversity and multiculturalism, and unique geography, I started to take on a whole new level of smugness.

Civic pride in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, etc. is deemed necessary. The residents of those cities are obliged to represent their cities with full force. In LA, everyone is so isolated and everything is done in a private manner; it's hard to connect with the community. There aren't too many communal public spaces in the city where people of all demographics can congregate. That's why we're all excited for projects like LA Live and Grand Avenue and the prospect of extending the subway down to the Pacific Ocean. Those two things will/would go a long way in broadening the more personal and private aspect of the LA lifestyle, IMO. Jan Perry insists that Grand Avenue will be its own thing, not a carbon copy of The Grove or Hollywood and Highland, because of the extensive community outreach that was put into the project. And it's great seeing Angelenos rallying (somewhat) for better transit.

In a nutshell, civic pride stems from the want and the desire to represent your city with a passion. I think Angelenos, particularly the transplants, feel as if such extreme pride is not justified or if there is even pride at all! NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco boosterism can be annoying at times, but it's certainly better than how LA projects itself.

[Joey313]

Well we cant expect Agelinos to have civic pride after what the city went through in the
60s 70s 80s. Its going to take time for this Civic Pride to build up again. Tho I think we wont be wait very long....

[Westsidelife]

Originally Posted by Joey313

Well we cant expect Agelinos to have civic pride after what the city went through in the 60s 70s 80s.

Huh?

[milquetoast]

What happened? Well, in the 60's, I was born. In the 70's, there were great drugs, (I understand) Disco and free love in a time before AIDS, and the 80's brought huge growth and a great economy and the Olympics! I think what woke L. A. up was Rodney King. That changed a lot of things, but people here were hating L. A. on film before that. Negative remarks made in L. A. centric films like 'Grand Canyon', "There just seems to be so many ways to buy it!" "Particularly in this city.." "I'm amazed at the end of each day that anyone's still alive!" "It's happenin' right now while we're sitting here in this ugly town." "Making a left turn in L. A. is one of the harder things you're gonna learn in life....This town stinks!" It doesn't help when that is the attitude of your own industry. Frustration, perhaps? Frustration in a city that has more going for it than almost ALL world cities, and the pace seems slow, even though the growth is fast. They all go there and not enough is being done there to,- house these people- move these people around. Sure, there's more to do in L. A. than anywhere else, but mass transit is probably the biggest communal thing that's missing in Southern California. We're 'protected' by the cars surrounding us. Oh well? Still, no one's more proud of his hometown than I. Someone who watches closely from afar.

[VZN]

As more and more neighborhoods become more livable for middle class residents ($50k-$125K/year) and transportation options become better and better,

There aren't too many communal public spaces in the city where people of all demographics can congregate. That's why we're all excited for projects like LA Live and Grand Avenue and the prospect of extending the subway down to the Pacific Ocean.

Sure, there's more to do in L. A. than anywhere else, but mass transit is probably the biggest communal thing that's missing in Southern California. We're 'protected' by the cars surrounding us.

It's interesting how everyone seems to point out that a lack of sufficient mass transit is one of the primary causes of Angelinos not having any city pride as a whole - and I agree 100% with that sentiment.

Essentially, I believe that the root of civic pride stems from being able to interact with one another, which is something that this city has lacked in somewhat in the past couple of years. I always hear out of towners say that it's hard to communicate and connect with other people in this city because there isn't really a place where Angelino's congregate daily -whether it's through commuting through public transit or meeting up in the city's "main" spot. But as luck would have it, both of those issues are being addressed as we talk about this.

I'll elaborate more on this in the morning...

[klamedia]

Originally Posted by solongfullerton

This of course doesn't count the large 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation hispanic Angelenos. I think many of these residents have a ton of civic pride (much moreso than the average white angeleno), but it doesn't seem to count since they are minorities. I'll tell you one thing, I've never seen a white person with a LA tattoo anywhere on their body, let alone on their head like I saw on some guy last week.

This shit is so true. No one is more proud of LA than the Latino population, particularly 2nd and on down generations. I've seen some blacks w/ LA tattoos, never whites but a whole bunch of Latinos! But it's always one group that really "gets" the city such as Italians w/ all of that NYC/Brooklyn Pride or 'Ricans w/ The Bronx pride. But for LA it's really the blacks and the Latinos......reprezentin' from East LA to Compton to the LBC, it's all LA really. So now that I think of it, their's actually alot of LA pride....it's just not white people I guess.

[VZN]

This of course doesn't count the large 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation hispanic Angelenos. I think many of these residents have a ton of civic pride (much moreso than the average white angeleno), but it doesn't seem to count since they are minorities. I'll tell you one thing, I've never seen a white person with a LA tattoo anywhere on their body, let alone on their head like I saw on some guy last week.

This shit is so true. No one is more proud of LA than the Latino population, particularly 2nd and on down generations. I've seen some blacks w/ LA tattoos, never whites but a whole bunch of Latinos! But it's always one group that really "gets" the city such as Italians w/ all of that NYC/Brooklyn Pride or 'Ricans w/ The Bronx pride. But for LA it's really the blacks and the Latinos......reprezentin' from East LA to Compton to the LBC, it's all LA really. So now that I think of it, their's actually alot of LA pride....it's just not white people I guess.

Co-sign with the both of you on this... you'll see blacks from the L.A. area always representing L.A., but Latinos take it to a whole different level. But seeing how deep rooted their families go in this city, it isn't suprising at all. Pacific Islanders and Asians also represent this city to the fullest too... but as the both of you mentioned, I've never seen white people really go all out with the L.A. pride like the aforementioned groups of people (although I do know a handful, but they're not even from L.A.) But why?

At any rate though, it seems civic pride be attributed to:

1) A real civic center

2) Sufficient transit


Apparently these 2 go hand in hand with civic pride... ironically enough, the cities that I had mentioned earlier have the both of those and their civic pride is off the charts. We got to just get people talking and connecting around here and maybe we can see something big in the city in the next couple of years, especially once we get L.A. Live and GAP off the ground.

[phattonez]

Originally Posted by klamedia

This shit is so true. No one is more proud of LA than the Latino population, particularly 2nd and on down generations. I've seen some blacks w/ LA tattoos, never whites but a whole bunch of Latinos! But it's always one group that really "gets" the city such as Italians w/ all of that NYC/Brooklyn Pride or 'Ricans w/ The Bronx pride. But for LA it's really the blacks and the Latinos......reprezentin' from East LA to Compton to the LBC, it's all LA really. So now that I think of it, their's actually alot of LA pride....it's just not white people I guess.

Hey, I'm a 2nd generation Angeleno and my dad was Cuban, so is that why I'm so proud of my city? I'm never going to get a tattoo for it (mostly because I just hate tattoos), but I won't let other people put it down.

[mikey001]

Originally Posted by solongfullerton

All I know is that when I was growing up in the 80s and early 90s LA was the devil, especially considering I was living in Orange County at the time. I think this attitude has perpetuated itself and continues to do so in all areas of the city and the region

In my opinion, the 90’s for LA were kind of like what the 70’s were for NYC (though maybe to a lesser extent?). Both decades were times when so much was going wrong with either city, that residents wondered how the place would survive. With the riots, the Northridge earthquake, the out of control gang violence, the Red Line debacle, etc. all happening within a few years of each other, perhaps it seemed at times that LA wouldn’t make it into the next decade? I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but that’s my theory.

[kidA]

Originally Posted by phattonez

Hey, I'm a 2nd generation Angeleno and my dad was Cuban, so is that why I'm so proud of my city? I'm never going to get a tattoo for it (mostly because I just hate tattoos), but I won't let other people put it down.

That's not what he's saying.

But as of late, within the more punk/art group of people, some of my friends have been getting LA tatoos. This little frail white girl that I used to work with has the LA logo on her foot. Some girlsd have it behind their ears, etc. I feel like the younger generation is getting that civic pride, unlike the yuppies who grew up in the 80's who cared to much about their neon clothing instead of civic pride.

But as it has been mentioned many times before in other treads; there are so many outsiders in this city. They have no connection and don't want a connection [well, I shouldn't make such a blanket statement because there will always be the select few] with places like MacArthur Park, Expo, Culver City, etc. They just want to find connections, do their whole little acting thing, own a nice house and brand new car...But little do they know about LA's changing environment.

[redspork02]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

I always was proud to represent Los Angeles and all, but I took certain things for granted. Having realized that not all cities have the wonderful Mediterranean climate, extreme ethnic diversity and multiculturalism, and unique geography, ................


...............There aren't too many communal public spaces in the city where people of all demographics can congregate. That's why we're all excited for projects like LA Live and Grand Avenue and the prospect of extending the subway down to the Pacific Ocean. Those two things will/would go a long way in broadening the more personal and private aspect of the LA lifestyle.........

I agree with Mr. West,
There is no (or was no) Communial Meeting destination for Angelinos.

[lawmann]

A few times on Cops I saw people in other cities wearing caps with Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Raiders, and Los Angeles Kings logos. Unfortunately it was the crooks that were wearing them.

[milquetoast]

Originally Posted by mikey001

In my opinion, the 90’s for LA were kind of like what the 70’s were for NYC (though maybe to a lesser extent?). Both decades were times when so much was going wrong with either city, that residents wondered how the place would survive. With the riots, the Northridge earthquake, the out of control gang violence, the Red Line debacle, etc. all happening within a few years of each other, perhaps it seemed at times that LA wouldn’t make it into the next decade? I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but that’s my theory.

You may or may not remember the TIME magazine cover from the early 90's - IS LOS ANGELES GOING TO HELL? - Ever seen that on the cover of a major international magazine concerning any other city? (the angriest letter I've ever written in response)

[klamedia]

[VZN]

Originally Posted by milquetoast

You may or may not remember the TIME magazine cover from the early 90's - IS LOS ANGELES GOING TO HELL? - Ever seen that on the cover of a major international magazine concerning any other city? (the angriest letter I've ever written in response)

That's interesting that you've brought that up. All cities go through their trials and tribulations, but when we go through ours the city is going to hell. Somebody somewhere was overexaggerating.

[LApride]

excellent points. This is how i see it. I'm Iranian and my family and I went through a lot assimilating here in the States. My dad got his ass kicked during the hostage crisis..etc The only way we were able to gain respect was to unconditionally stand up for our heritage. We didn't buy in to it and say "you're right Iranians are half human" just to fit in..No! We stood up proud and defended ourselves and our heritage. This is how respect is gained.......Extreme example but parallels can be made. In LA, how do we expect to gain respect when we don't even respect LA? Now Latinos do a great job repin LA...just got back from SF. Went to golden gate park. There was a hispanic family of about 7. All of them had LA caps and some of them had dodger shirts on. It wasn't a dodgers/giants thing, it was an LA thing.I went up to them and said whats up, I'm from LA too. This is what I'm talking about...these guys were walking around SF of all places, with Dodger gear on. My point is they don't give a fuck!!! They're repin LA unconditionally. I see nothing wrong with this. Every other city does it. ANGELEINOS, grow a pair, stand up and back your city. They will respect it more, trust me!!!