I can start this adventure by commenting on the car ride to Koreatown. It consisted of the horrible LA traffic that there was! The freeway was jam packed however was very convenient to use to get around the city. For the most part, I was able to see how many of the buildings in Los Angeles are old and in terrible conditions, yet are still preserved because of the history behind them. Public Transportation on the streets was something that was regularly seen, with the many people waiting for buses. The streets were diversely populated with people always looking rushed, which is part of the city life.
As I arrived to Koreatown, I parked in a residential neigborhood and walked my way through the streets of Koreatown. I was not sure how people would react to me exploring this part of town due to me being hispanic. However, I found that there were many hispanics in this neighborhood who were employed by Koreans themselves. I often found some Koreans to smile at me, while others looked at me oddly. I explored the many plazas and gallerias in Koreatown which consisted of many shops and markets that had imported food. When I was in one of the plazas, I walked into a bakery and there were translations for everything. I also sat in a coffee shop where the customers were mainly Asians and Hispanics. I was very surprised to see so many Hispanics because I was unaware of how many were employed by Korean shop owners. As I continued to walk around I noticed that many of the people that were there were regulars and those that worked in shops would have great relationships with customers. All around I always noticed that people frequently knew each other. The younger generation were mainly the ones giving me the best customer service, while the older generation seemed hesitant and not as friendly. I also noticed many Hispanic businesses in Koreatown, which is interesting to see both cultures share this space.
The one thing that I did really notice was the fact that we discussed cities as having their central points and the business aspect of the city. With the central point being the economic/business area of a city, the other layers of the city are then all residential areas, which refers to our reading "The Growth of the City." The author explains how cities expand and how mobility helps with this as well. Los Angeles has expanded in such a way that mobility in this city is absolutely necessary and usually occurs outside of the residential areas. It was amazing to see and observe personally how all these layers of a city are formed. As a Los Angeles native I have never taken the time to observe or even notice such layers of this city, when if fact they can be so obvious.
Koreatown was interesting to explore and I learned so much about how different cultures have come to find a way that works for them to feel comfortable and native to a town or country that isn't necessarily home, but can feel that way.
This map demonstrates how many Asians have come to Los Angeles and have made this city their home and how the creation of a city such as Koreatown can make living situations better for people.
Hi Erica,
ReplyDeleteErica explored the streets and people around what I am assuming to be a couple of blocks in Koreatown. She noted that the dominant races happened to be Korean and Hispanic. I was not as surprised to read that a great majority of the people were of Hispanic decent because I had previously heard that a prominent race is Salvadoran. However, it is interesting to see that these two groups of people seem to intertwine so well even though you would not typically assume so because of the distinct cultures and history of both groups. Erica mentioned that she encountered many places which had translations. I feel this ultimately prevents a language barrier from placing a hamper on the local growth of businesses. A smart idea! That I have often seen in other neighborhoods, most likely because of the population size of Spanish-speaking people in Los Angeles.
I found in interesting that Koreans were distinguished as the employers in two separate circumstances. Why do you think this has happened? After observing the attached picture of the census of Asian population I have come to my own conclusion that Koreans arrived first, therefore had more time to establish their own network of businesses. The influx of Hispanics might have been at a later time. Also as it was mentioned in lecture, the first urban revolution noted that people came together because of agriculture, social desire, safety, etc. This in turn can be applied to the establishment of Koreatown as a city itself. People tend to migrate where family members are and where they see available opportunity and comfort. This can be one explanation as to why the city is populated with these two groups and why Erica noticed that "All around... people frequently knew each other".
I must agree with Erica on her understanding of the article "The Growth of the City". Evidently the residents of Koreatown have helped the city to expand, but mobility has significantly increased the process. Mobility plays a large role in the development of the city. It can help determine certain zones of business, residential life, and ultimately affect individual lives. Although, the author does state that where there is mobility there can also be delinquency and poverty. I wonder how Koreatown would fit in to this assumption. Overall the city seems to be filled with culture and movement. I might want to visit this location for one of my future blogs :)
ps: Sorry I referred to your name instead of you. I was unsure how it was supposed to be, but any who there is my response