FrogTown

.Frogtown. 

What is Civic Engagement? 
Civic engagement to me means being heavily involved with a community in a positive way. In this way you are creating a constructive way for the community to engage with each other, have a sense of comfort, gratification, and prosperity for a location. Maybe if there was more of this occurring in cities there would be less waste or homelessness. 

Source One:

“Civic engagement happens wherever there are people. Yet, some communities show a higher degree of engagement than others, which leads to fewer intractable problems and a higher quality of life. Where there is inclusive civic engagement, in which everyone has a place at the table to define, direct and implement public services and amenities, there is greater civic pride and responsibility, which then lead to sustained community wellbeing.”  

“Why Civic Engagement Matters.” National Civic League, 13 Oct. 2017, www.nationalcivicleague.org/why-civic-engagement-matters/.

Source Two:

“Civic engagement encompasses the many ways that people may get involved in their communities to consider and address civic issues. Civic engagement can be a measure or a means of social change. In arts-based civic engagement, the creative process and resulting art work/experience can provide a key focus, catalyst, or space for civic participation, whether it is becoming better informed or actively contributing to the improvement of one’s neighborhood, community, and nation.”

“What Is Civic Engagement?” Americans for the Arts, 1 May 2014, www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/social-change/what-is-civic-engagement.

.My Community.

Elysian Valley, Frogtown, as the people of my neighborhood would call it, means so much to me and always will. Not only is this community a place where I grew up but it is also a place where i met my best friends, where I fell in love, got an education, and even had to say goodbye to my grandmother. Frogtown is a huge part of me that is changing and I'm not ready to let that part of me go.

Frogtown is family. We look out for each other. We have each others backs. We make sure everyone is taken care of. But if you want to join the family, you could  have some regard for the family your joining.

Over the past couple of years there has been many changes to Frogtown. Some have been positive that neighbors appreciate but others are negative. We say they are negative because the changes are not for the families, the changes do not benefit, and the changes do not invite the people of Frogtown.

The action I propose is for the new businesses, the future businesses, and even the new neighbors of frogtown to want to be part of the community that has lived here and be inclusive instead of appealing mainly to outsiders that dismiss the diverse families of Frogtown. I do believe gentrification can have more of a positive connotation if it was done in a positive way. Imagine a latino family being introduced to a reasonably priced farmers market or a new restaurant that has a loyalty program for residents of the area. I think actions like these can make communities stronger. 

"I love small business owners. But I really am not a fan of the new businesses in Elysian Valley bringing in so many people from outside the community. This makes it feel like a commercial area versus residential area, which it is. It doesn't feel like home sometimes."
      -Rae F. Elysian Valley Resident since 99'

"Gentrification/new businesses is better for me in my community because as a home owner my property value goes up. All the new businesses brings in different people from around different areas and with this creates beautifying our community as well.
I definitely   think that the new businesses are not marketing their own people in the community . I would love if they did so I wouldn’t feel so much of an outsider in my own community
So to answer that, yes I would visit more if they were more inclusive with us" 

- Jose F. Elysian Valley resident 74'

Research:

To clarify gentrification can be defined as, "Gentrification: a process of neighborhood change that includes economic change in a historically disinvested neighborhood —by means of real estate investment and new higher-income residents moving in - as well as demographic change - not only in terms of income level, but also in terms of changes in the education level or racial make-up of residents".  Gentrification can have a very negative connotation because of the impact it creates for existing business and lives. Many things can be affected such as exploiting cost of living, evicting people from their homes, and creating new regulations due to over population. 

History: 

Growing up FrogTown was considered really dangerous. We weren't allowed to stay out late or go to the park on our own. This was because of the gang, FrogTown. FTR members always hanging out at the community park or along the river. Since the 90's the community has gotten a lot safer because the gang no longer exist. Along the river path there have always been lumber shops, mechanics, steel shops, art galleries, even bimbo factories, liquor stores, ect. Since the 90's many have closed down and are now hair salons, coffee places, sandwich shops, a bar, and even a brewery, most of theses are not owned by people of the community.

References

https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hp-neighborhood-spotlight-elysian-valley-20180811-story.html

https://www.latimes.com/designla/la-design-frogtown-20180327-story.html

                                       http://www.urbandisplacement.org/gentrification-explained