A community gives its residents a sense of belonging. It makes them feel like they are part of something greater than themselves. Community provides meaning to everyday life as we travel in and out of our neighborhoods. Most importantly, a community should be sustainable. Intentional community development should stand for more than just making a profit.
Historically, development in South Los Angeles has not been about creating spaces and places that benefit Black residents. As a result, all South LA community members need more grocery stores, broader access to the internet, thriving small businesses, office space, affordable housing, medical services, and a walkable built environment with places to eat, drink, shop, and socialize. In addition, decades of disinvestment have led to an overabundance of liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, smoke shops, and empty lots, as well as a disproportionate amount of recycling centers and toxic waste sites.
The story behind this urban blight is one of racism and greed. In the 1980s, corporations moved hundreds of manufacturing plants and thousands of jobs out of South LA to other countries for cheaper labor costs. At the same time, the crack cocaine epidemic hit, and the Reagan Administration dismantled the social safety net, severely undercutting services and economic stability in South Los Angeles. This disinvestment led to crippling financial loss for the area and social, health, and educational disparities for Black and Brown residents.
For more than 30 years, CoCo has known that land use and economic development are inextricably linked processes that expose the complexities of political, social, and economic decision-making. Community members can weigh in on developments and projects in the best-case scenarios. But usually, it is only after the planning has been done that the community is “consulted.” And more often than not, developers are guided by business plans that seek to maximize profit over people, which leads to the displacement of current community members.
Development should be by us and for us—our residents, our neighborhoods, and our voices heard before decisions are made. Those guiding principles are at the core of Community Coalition’s (CoCo) South Central by South Central’s (SCxSC) organizing campaign. The demands made by the resident leaders and organizers of the South Central by South Central campaign are simple: Community members have a right to be at the table and be involved in the decision-making process regarding land use in our neighborhoods. South Central wants the opportunity to participate in local hire on large development projects which produce quality jobs and good wages. And we demand that projects contribute to the area’s overall aesthetic and improve the quality of life so that South LA is transformed into the safe and healthy community we deserve.
If we want to see a different South LA, we must demand a new path forward—one forged by us and for us. You can support Community Coalition’s South Central by South Central campaign in several ways:
- Join our community organizing meetings at Community Coalition so that you become part of the change you would like to see. Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 8101 S. Vermont, LA 90044.
- Contact CoCo about the kinds of businesses you want to see in our neighborhoods by emailing us at [email protected].
- Lastly, be an ambassador for SC by SC by talking with your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers about the importance of supporting community-owned businesses.
Doing so keeps our dollars in our community and lays the foundation to replicate successful business and housing models.
