Understanding the Riots Part 4 : Seeing Ourselves : ‘I Don’t Feel the Same Around Here’

Do you agree of disagree with this statement. I will never feel as good about Los Angeles again as I did before the recent violence erupted. Don’t know: 4% Agree strongly: 21% Agree somwhat: 20% Disagree somwhat: 28% Disagree strongly: 27% “Before it was OK. There were a lot of gangs around here. It didn’t bother me at all because I didn’t get involved. Now I don’t know if I trust this neighborhood, or the politicians.”

Jesus Moya, 29, a Latino furniture designer and sculptor who lives in the Crenshaw district

“I don’t feel the same around here. I’m kind of afraid. I can’t describe how I feel about what has happened ... there’s no words for that. I wouldn’t dare walk to the market. But now there’s no market to walk to.... As soon as I can see my way to get out, I’m out of here.”

Teresa, 53, who is black and lives in South Los Angeles

“Before, I would have said Los Angeles has its problems, but it’s OK. But now, it’s more bad than good. What the violence did was bring to the surface a lot of things that were not really hidden, but not available for everybody to see. The way the police handled the situation had a lot to do with the way I feel about L.A. now.”

Robert Baxter, 29, state worker who lives in Mt. Washington

“I have been here seven months. When I came here I said to my friends, this is gorgeous, this is beautiful. Now my American dream is broken. I’m so disappointed in American people.”

Andrew Park, 19, a student from Korea

“I’ve lived here all my life. My community wasn’t very disturbed by the violence and, even though there’s gangs around where I live, we never get any disruptions. I don’t feel this will make me hate L.A.”

Judith Ortega, 20, a Latina and part-time student who lives in the Echo Park area

“I didn’t feel good about Los Angeles in the first place. So after the riots I felt it was par for the course. I was waiting for something like this to happen for some time. I knew it was brewing and was just surprised it took so long.”

Sharon Peppermuller, 28, a Canoga Park resident and dispatcher

“I’m a seventh-generation Californian and I can’t wait to leave. Isn’t that a shame? I feel I’ve reached midlife and I don’t want to deal with these problems. I want to go to Idaho. I want to go to Montana. I want to be where there aren’t a lot of people.”

Toni Byrnes, 49, a Latina who is a registered nurse and lives in Pacific Palisades

“We can change. We can be the most magnificent city in the world. There’s no question in my mind L.A. can become great again.”

Marvin Alperin, an Anglo furniture manufacturer who lives in the Wilshire district

“There’s been a kind of community spirit since this happened. I got to know my neighbors a little better. The guy at the corner convenience store cashed a check for me which he never would have before. Yet I find the city a little bit scarier.”

Judy Brown, 42, an Anglo comedy teacher and critic who lives on the Westside