I recently moved to East Los Angeles from Chalatenango, El Salvador. When I first moved to this community, I could not speak English and I was scared that no one would speak my language. Fortunately, East Los Angeles is a community where mostly Hispanic people reside,...
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My great escape
East L.A. is the community I was brought up in for the majority of my life. My family has never strayed too far from the borders of East L.A. As far as I know, three generations of my family have settled and made a living in this community. I never believed I had...
What I call home
I lived in Pico Rivera with my mother and father. My mother discovered a job in East Los Angeles at the First Street Store, a landmark that was sold and is being turned into a charter school. My mom was having problems with my dad, and we ended up moving to an...
Making new history
People always ask me why my family and I moved to East L.A. I tell people it is because the rent is cheaper in East L.A., but that’s not the truth. The real reason we moved to East L.A. is because my mom lost the house in Ontario. A lot of people always ask, “Where is...
Giving back
East L.A. is significant to me for a couple of reasons. It started off with the opportunity it gave my dad, but before getting to that point, here’s a little history that would help you understand this more. My dad came from a little pueblo in Jalisco called...
My spots
Being raised in East L.A. with a Mexican family, I am told to show respect and treat others the way you want to be treated. I was also raised with the mentality that if I want something I need to work for it, and not to expect anything in return. That was one of the...
Origins
My parents had a rough time growing up. Their families didn’t have a large income to offer my parents so even the smallest things, like a can of soda, was worth so much to them. My parents were both born in Mexico. They were raised in different states--Jalisco and...
The good in East Los Angeles
“Man found dead” is the typical news you would hear about East Los Angeles. I don’t feel like it is right that people only hear the bad things about East Los Angeles and not the good things. To me, East Los Angeles is a place I call home and a place I am proud to say...
My passion
On January 6, 1986, at a young age, my father had his first journey. For three days my father walked on foot to come to the U.S. to have a better life for himself and my family. Feeling the fresh air of the mountains at night and the cold water inside his shoes from...
Openness
The feeling of relief to hear that bell ring after the three rounds I killed. I called it a day. Before I leave the gym to go home, me despido to the other fellow fighters like they do too. It’s awesome in the gym because it’s like we’re family. We all come from the...