Week 3-A History of Hawthorne and South LA Reflection

Upon reading these articles, it became clear that the history of Hawthorne and South LA is deeply shaped by intentional racial exclusion and systemic injustice. The readings on California’s sundown towns revealed that cities like Hawthorne, Burbank, Glendale, and San Leandro actively enforced policies to keep Black residents out, using signs, housing covenants, police intimidation, and violence. Though these practices have ended, their effects persist, with many cities still having very small Black populations and personal accounts of feeling unwelcome or targeted. Greg Tate’s discussion of the 1992 Los Angeles uprising highlighted that events like these aren't random, but rooted in racial violence, police abuse, and systemic inequality, serving as a “language of the unheard.” These histories demonstrate why anger, mistrust, and trauma still remain in communities like South LA and emphasizes the importance of approaching community work with humility, awareness, and a willingness to listen. Overall, the readings show Hawthorne and South LA as communities shaped by exclusion, resilience, and resistance, with legacies that continue to affect residents today. As a MAPS intern, this knowledge reminds me to approach my role with humility and awareness always. It also reminds me that my role isn’t just about completing tasks, but rather about engaging with the community with care, respect, and attentiveness. Community members may carry experiences shaped by exclusion, police violence, and systemic discrimination. Recognizing this history encourages me to approach every interaction thoughtfully, to listen more than I speak, and to center the voices and perspectives of those I am serving.