In Alhambra, a mother worries about future educational opportunities for her three young children. In Leimert Park, a reverend fights against oppression and racism on behalf of his community. In Pacoima, a caregiver pushes himself to do the best job he can for his clients, who are developmentally disabled.
Each one of these people live in Los Angeles County. However, each one of them calls a different neighborhood home, which in some cases, is an entirely separate city.
Los Angeles defines urban sprawl; its cities and suburbs unfurling into the far reaches of valleys and deserts around the metropolitan center. The county spans terrain from beaches to forest, from dry, dusty ranches to immaculately maintained residential streets.
Income disparities are significant. For instance, San Marino’s median household income is estimated to be $158,855, while in Koreatown, it is $30,558. While Los Angeles as a whole is diverse, racial groups are often concentrated in certain neighborhoods. South Gate is nearly 94.8% Hispanic, while Monterey Park is home to the largest concentration of Chinese Americans of any municipality in the United States.
Residents in these areas face different burdens, struggles and concerns. However, there are many similarities too. When asked about their biggest issue, people from Inglewood to Monterey Park talked about educational aspirations, family conflicts, employment insecurity, social movements, cultural preservation and more. They shared stories with common threads of inspiration, fear, hope, loss, and change.
"We have so much and it's so easy to be consumed in our little bubble," says Laura Schultz, a barista in Alhambra. "I think the moment we step outside ourselves we realize there are people and places so much bigger than us."
Read on to learn about the biggest issues that residents of 13 different Los Angeles neighborhoods face every day.
