A People’s Guide to LA is an attempt to map sites of racial and class struggle in Los Angeles’ history and landscape. Looking at the history of California, and especially Los Angeles, it is clear that race has been one of the central forces shaping the development of the region. From the arrival of Spanish missionaries, to the development of Chinatown, to the beating of Rodney King, race is one of the key factors that have influenced the region’s economy, landscape, and history. While there have been some efforts to memorialize the history of various communities of color, as seen in the Dunbar Hotel, Olvera Street, and Little Tokyo, these sites emphasize the contributions and historical experience of particular groups. While we think this is invaluable, we also think there is a need to emphasize struggle, because when you think about, that’s what race is really all about....more