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Chavez Ravine
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CHAVEZ RAVINE tells the bittersweet story of how an American community was betrayed by greed, political hypocrisy, and good intentions gone astray.
In 1949, photographer Don Normark stumbled on Chavez Ravine, a closely-knit Mexican-American village on a hill overlooking downtown Los Angeles. Enchanted, he stayed for a year and took hundreds of photographs, never knowing he was capturing on film the last images of a place that was about to disappear.
The following year, the city of L.A. evicted the 300 families of Chavez Ravine to make way for a low-income public housing project. The land was cleared, homes, schools, and church razed to the ground. But the real estate lobby, sensing a great opportunity, accused the LA Housing Authority's Frank Wilkinson of being a communist agent. The city folded and instead of building the promised housing, it sold the land to baseball owner Walter O'Malley, who built Dodger Stadium on the site.
Fifty years later, Normark's haunting black-and-white photographs reclaim and celebrate a lost village from a simpler time.
'Heartfelt... well-shot and sharply edited... it's Mechner's sense of people and place, more than moral outrage, that makes his work compelling. ***' MicrocinemaScene
'This bittersweet tale recounts a lost village, Dodger Stadium, and the miraculous moment of time that lay between them.' Florida Film Festival Program
'Powerful and moving... a gripping revival of the forgotten history behind the land which today holds L.A. Dodger Stadium.' The Daily Sundial, California State University
'Using historic photographs of the families as well as contemporary interviews -- and with a surprising twist -- Mechner tells a cautionary story of community, deception, and loss.' Full Frame Documentary Film Festival Program
'Chavez Ravine is a unique and fascinating contribution to the unknown history of Latino people in California. It relates beautifully to every dislocated community; it connects in a surprising and important way to the McCarthy Era; it is composed of oral history and historic photographs, woven seamlessly with a beautiful score and narrative. I cannot recommend it highly enough to all teachers because it shows the relevance and power of history for all. My own students raved about it.' Lauren Coodley, History Dept., Napa College, Author of Napa: the Transformation of an American Town and Land of Orange Groves and Jails: Upton Sinclair's California
'Chavez Ravine is a poignant and painful look at race, politics, and displacement in Los Angeles. This documentary tells the story of Mexican communities that were removed first by City Hall and then, by the L.A. Dodgers. The film, though, also tells a story of memory and resistance as the publication of old photographs brings people together and in some ways keeps the communities of Chavez Ravine alive. This film would be ideal for courses dealing with communities of color, urban politics, race, and the politics of memory.' Maria Elena Garcia, Asst. Prof. of Anthropology, Sarah Lawrence College
'Chavez Ravine is an important work of historical recovery that visually retrieves a strand in the lost history of Los Angeles. It is a beautifully produced account of the human costs of urban displacement and of the complexities of urban politics.' Michael Kowalewski, Carleton College
'The villages are gone, they survive only in memory, and in this wonderful...film...Highly recommended.' David Kidney, Greenman Review
'A fascinating assembly of Normark's photographs of a community lost in time and mind...Highly recommended.' Brad Eden, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas for Educational Media Reviews Online
'An eerie foreshadowing of today's 'eminent domain' debate about the use of private property for the public good...this revelation of a shameful episode in Los Angeles history is illustrated with the hauntingly evocative pictures of acclaimed photographer Don Normark...recommended.' Video Librarian
Citation
Main credits
Mechner, Jordan (film producer)
Mechner, Jordan (film director)
Mechner, Jordan (editor)
Mechner, Jordan (screenwriter)
Marin, Cheech (narrator)
Other credits
Photographs by Don Normark; music by Ry Cooder; director of photography, Andrew B. Andersen.
Distributor subjects
American Democracy; American Studies; Anthropology; Art/Architecture; California History; Community; Economics; Geography; History; Humanities; Latino and Chicano Studies; Low Income Housing; Multicultural Studies; Photography; Race and Racism; Social Psychology; Sociology; Urban Studies; Urban and Regional Planning; Western USKeywords
00:00:21.918 --> 00:00:23.082
I HAD THIS DREAM
00:00:23.083 --> 00:00:25.998
THAT ALL THOSE HILLS
HAD BEEN LEVELED,
00:00:25.999 --> 00:00:27.998
THE HOUSES TORN DOWN.
00:00:27.999 --> 00:00:29.998
I SAW IT IN MY DREAM.
00:00:29.999 --> 00:00:34.998
AND EXACTLY THE WAY I SAW IT,
THAT'S THE WAY IT HAPPENED.
00:00:34.999 --> 00:00:38.998
IT'S THE TRAGEDY
OF MY LIFE, ABSOLUTELY.
00:00:38.999 --> 00:00:43.166
I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR UPROOTING
00:00:43.167 --> 00:00:45.998
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
00:00:45.999 --> 00:00:47.708
FROM THEIR OWN LITTLE VALLEY
00:00:47.709 --> 00:00:49.500
AND HAVING THE WHOLE THING
DESTROYED.
00:00:49.501 --> 00:00:53.291
Man: IT'S SORT OF TAKEN ON
A MYTHICAL SENSE
00:00:53.292 --> 00:00:54.000
IN PEOPLE'S MEMORIES.
00:00:54.001 --> 00:00:57.416
AND THEN, WITH THE FEELING THAT
IT WAS UNFAIRLY TAKEN FROM THEM.
00:00:57.417 --> 00:01:01.998
SO IT'S NO WONDER THAT PEOPLE
HAVE STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT IT.
00:01:01.999 --> 00:01:06.708
Woman: HE SAID, "PLEASE,
YOUR SON IS IN A BASEBALL TEAM.
00:01:06.709 --> 00:01:09.917
LET'S GO TO THE DODGERS
AS A FAMILY."
00:01:09.918 --> 00:01:11.416
I'LL NEVER GO AGAIN.
00:01:11.417 --> 00:01:13.998
I HATED IT, I DIDN'T ENJOY IT.
00:01:13.999 --> 00:01:17.792
IT WAS LIKE DANCING ON A GRAVE.
00:01:19.167 --> 00:01:20.998
Cheech Marin: 1962...
00:01:20.999 --> 00:01:21.999
IN CHáVEZ RAVINE,
00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:24.791
A FEW MILES
FROM DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES,
00:01:24.792 --> 00:01:26.791
BASEBALL FANS CROWD
THE BLEACHERS
00:01:26.792 --> 00:01:27.999
OF THE BRAND NEW DODGER STADIUM
00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:29.998
TO WELCOME THEIR TEAM
FROM BROOKLYN.
00:01:29.999 --> 00:01:34.625
THE STADIUM SITS ON 170 ACRES
OF FRESHLY CLEARED LAND,
00:01:34.626 --> 00:01:36.998
LAND THAT,
JUST 12 YEARS EARLIER,
00:01:36.999 --> 00:01:38.998
WAS HOME TO OVER 300 FAMILIES.
00:01:38.999 --> 00:01:43.249
THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF LA LOMA,
PALO VERDE, AND BISHOP...
00:01:43.250 --> 00:01:46.626
THE NEIGHBORHOODS
OF CHáVEZ RAVINE.
00:01:54.167 --> 00:01:56.998
Woman: ME MYSELF,
I LOVED IT THERE.
00:01:56.999 --> 00:02:00.998
I LOVED IT BECAUSE WE USED TO
RUN UP AND DOWN THE HILLS
00:02:00.999 --> 00:02:04.082
AND WE KNEW EVERY LITTLE TRAIL
AROUND THERE
00:02:04.083 --> 00:02:05.416
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
00:02:05.417 --> 00:02:08.208
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS
TO MOVE OUT OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
00:02:08.209 --> 00:02:09.998
WHEN YOU'VE BEEN LIVING
THERE SO LONG
00:02:09.999 --> 00:02:12.998
AND YOU KNOW EVERYBODY
LIKE A BIG FAMILY.
00:02:12.999 --> 00:02:15.082
Man: ELYSIAN PARK
WAS OUR PLAYGROUND.
00:02:15.083 --> 00:02:18.291
YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE PARK
WAS RIGHT NEXT TO IT.
00:02:18.292 --> 00:02:19.998
WE USED TO GO DOWN THERE
00:02:19.999 --> 00:02:22.666
AND SWIM NAKED
IN THE L.A. RIVER.
00:02:22.667 --> 00:02:25.998
WE USED TO MAKE DAMS, YOU KNOW,
00:02:25.999 --> 00:02:26.417
WITH ROCKS.
00:02:26.418 --> 00:02:30.917
YOU KNOW, MAKE HOLES AND THEN
SWIM IN THAT DIRTY WATER.
00:02:30.918 --> 00:02:32.998
WE WON A LOT OF TROPHIES THERE
IN ELYSIAN PARK,
00:02:32.999 --> 00:02:33.999
BELIEVE ME, WE DID.
00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:36.998
FOOTBALL, YOU NAME IT...
BASEBALL, BASKETBALL.
00:02:36.999 --> 00:02:37.918
WE WERE GOOD.
00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:40.917
WE WOULD GET TO THE PLAYGROUND,
PLAY THE OPPONENT.
00:02:40.918 --> 00:02:42.458
THEY WOULD COME UP
WITH THEIR BRAND NEW UNIFORMS
00:02:42.459 --> 00:02:45.666
AND HERE WE LOOKED LIKE
THOSE G... DAMN EAST SIDE KIDS,
00:02:45.667 --> 00:02:48.833
YOU KNOW, RAGGEDY-ASS KIDS
PLAYING BASEBALL.
00:02:48.834 --> 00:02:49.667
THAT OTHER TEAM, YOU KNOW,
00:02:49.668 --> 00:02:50.998
THEY SAID, "HOW COULD
THESE GUYS BEAT US?"
00:02:50.999 --> 00:02:56.998
THEY WERE GREAT TIMES FOR ME,
BEAUTIFUL TIMES, YEAH.
00:02:56.999 --> 00:02:58.416
THE PROCESSIONS
00:02:58.417 --> 00:03:01.249
WITH THE LIGHTED CANDLE.
00:03:01.250 --> 00:03:02.998
THE MEN WOULD DRESS LIKE
ROMAN SOLDIERS.
00:03:02.999 --> 00:03:07.998
THEY HAD THESE BIG DRUMS...
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.
00:03:07.999 --> 00:03:08.999
WE WOULD GO THROUGH THE HILLS.
00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:12.999
Anchando: IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE,
WHEN I SEE NOW THESE PICTURES.
00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:15.998
I WAS REALLY SURPRISED.
00:03:15.999 --> 00:03:20.458
AND I'D NEVER SEEN ANYBODY
WITH A CAMERA.
00:03:20.459 --> 00:03:21.625
WHO WOULD TAKE THESE PICTURES?
00:03:21.626 --> 00:03:23.708
NOBODY WOULD GO UP THE HILL
AND TAKE PICTURES,
00:03:23.709 --> 00:03:26.833
AND NOBODY COULD AFFORD
A CAMERA.
00:03:26.834 --> 00:03:29.249
Man: I WAS JUST, I WAS LOOKING
00:03:29.250 --> 00:03:31.998
FOR A KIND OF A POSTCARD VIEW
OF LOS ANGELES.
00:03:31.999 --> 00:03:34.666
I HAD A FRIEND WHO HAD A CAR,
00:03:34.667 --> 00:03:37.583
AND WE DROVE AROUND LOOKING
AND FOUND THIS HILL
00:03:37.584 --> 00:03:39.583
AND WALKED UP THE HILL.
00:03:39.584 --> 00:03:41.833
AND, UH...
BUT THEN, I LOOKED DOWN
00:03:41.834 --> 00:03:43.998
THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT HILL
I WAS STANDING ON,
00:03:43.999 --> 00:03:46.998
AND THERE WAS THIS COMMUNITY
BELOW ME.
00:03:46.999 --> 00:03:47.999
IT LOOKED LIKE A VILLAGE...
00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:51.666
DIRT ROADS AND HOUSES
GOING UP THE ROADS
00:03:51.667 --> 00:03:55.709
AND PEOPLE WALKING AROUND.
00:03:56.999 --> 00:03:58.998
Man: THE HILL STILL EXISTS
RIGHT THERE.
00:03:58.999 --> 00:04:00.374
YOU CAN SEE
UP AT THE TOP.
00:04:00.375 --> 00:04:04.249
SO I WAS UP THERE SOMEPLACE
WHEN I TOOK THE SHOT.
00:04:04.250 --> 00:04:06.917
YEAH, YOU WAS UP
00:04:06.918 --> 00:04:09.999
ON PINE STREET,
MEOLA DRIVE.
00:04:14.918 --> 00:04:18.374
Normark: I MADE
THE PHOTOGRAPHS IN '48
00:04:18.375 --> 00:04:19.998
AND MOST OF THEM IN 1949.
00:04:19.999 --> 00:04:22.666
AND I HAD VERY LITTLE LUCK
IN SHOWING THEM
00:04:22.667 --> 00:04:26.501
OR IN GETTING ANYBODY
TO EVEN LOOK AT THEM.
00:04:48.834 --> 00:04:52.166
Marin: 50 YEARS LATER,
DON FOUND A PUBLISHER
00:04:52.167 --> 00:04:54.416
WHO THOUGHT HIS PHOTOGRAPHS
SHOULD BE A BOOK.
00:04:54.417 --> 00:04:55.708
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME,
00:04:55.709 --> 00:04:59.583
THEY WERE SEEN BY THE PEOPLE
OF CHáVEZ RAVINE.
00:04:59.584 --> 00:05:02.998
Normark: GOT A CARD TABLE
AND A COUPLE OF CHAIRS
00:05:02.999 --> 00:05:07.791
WITH A BOX FULL
OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM 1949
00:05:07.792 --> 00:05:10.791
AND A CROWD FORMED AROUND
00:05:10.792 --> 00:05:12.041
WHO WERE EXCLAIMING,
00:05:12.042 --> 00:05:15.998
AND SOME BURST INTO TEARS.
00:05:15.999 --> 00:05:17.458
IT WAS QUITE MARVELOUS.
00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:18.998
IT WAS QUITE GRAND.
00:05:18.999 --> 00:05:21.998
EVERY TIME I SEE THAT BOOK,
I FEEL LIKE CRYING, RIGHT.
00:05:21.999 --> 00:05:23.791
I COULD SEE THE HOUSE
WHERE I WAS BORN,
00:05:23.792 --> 00:05:25.082
LIKE, MY DAUGHTERS
WAS BORN THERE.
00:05:25.083 --> 00:05:28.709
MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN AND MY WIFE
WAS BORN RIGHT THERE.
00:05:34.999 --> 00:05:37.374
WHEN I WAS A KID, I USED TO
BUILD MODEL AIRPLANES, KITES,
00:05:37.375 --> 00:05:40.166
AND I USED TO FLY THEM
WAY ON TOP OF THAT HILL.
00:05:40.167 --> 00:05:41.625
IT WAS SO CLEAR,
MANY YEARS BACK,
00:05:41.626 --> 00:05:44.998
YOU COULD SEE PLAYA DEL RAY,
SANTA MONICA, AND SAN PEDRO.
00:05:44.999 --> 00:05:47.374
JUST THE CITY HALL
WAS THE TALLEST BUILDING.
00:05:47.375 --> 00:05:48.666
AND IT WAS VERY NICE UP HERE.
00:05:48.667 --> 00:05:51.833
TO ME, IT WAS JUST LIKE
A LITTLE RANCH.
00:05:51.834 --> 00:05:52.999
MY GRANDCHILDREN,
I'LL TAKE THEM UP THERE.
00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:55.708
"DADDY, WAS HE BORN UP HERE?"
HE SAYS, "YEAH."
00:05:55.709 --> 00:05:57.999
AND THEY SEE THE PICTURES
IN THE BOOK, AND SAYS,
00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:59.041
"JESUS, THOSE WERE POOR KIDS."
00:05:59.042 --> 00:06:02.791
I SAYS, "YEAH, THAT'S THE WAY IT
WAS IN THOSE DAYS, YOU KNOW."
00:06:02.792 --> 00:06:04.998
BAREFOOTED
AND HAND-ME-DOWN CLOTHES
00:06:04.999 --> 00:06:07.998
AND BOOKS AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
00:06:07.999 --> 00:06:09.500
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
00:06:09.501 --> 00:06:12.458
WE WERE HAPPY,
WE WERE HAPPY PEOPLE.
00:06:12.459 --> 00:06:14.998
WE USED TO MAKE LIKE SLEDS
OUT OF...
00:06:14.999 --> 00:06:15.876
CARDBOARD BOXES.
00:06:15.877 --> 00:06:19.374
FROM KELVINATOR
OR GAFFERS & SATTLER,
00:06:19.375 --> 00:06:21.208
WHAT THE STOVES
OR WHATEVER CAME IN.
00:06:21.209 --> 00:06:24.082
AND JUST SLIDE DOWN...
IT WAS LIKE A TOBOGGAN,
00:06:24.083 --> 00:06:27.249
EXCEPT IT WAS ON GRASS.
00:06:27.250 --> 00:06:28.998
ABOUT 20 MINUTES
TO GET UP THERE AGAIN.
00:06:28.999 --> 00:06:31.583
[ Laughing ]
THAT WAS OUR RECREATION.
00:06:31.584 --> 00:06:34.082
Anchando: WHEN I SEE NOW
THESE PICTURES...
00:06:34.083 --> 00:06:36.708
AND I WAS EXCITED
ABOUT SEEING THEM,
00:06:36.709 --> 00:06:40.998
BUT THEN I WAS KIND OF MAD,
RESENTFUL,
00:06:40.999 --> 00:06:46.167
ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED
WHEN WE HAD TO MOVE OUT.
00:06:47.375 --> 00:06:49.998
Marin: IN JULY 1950,
THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
00:06:49.999 --> 00:06:52.416
SENT LETTERS TO THE RESIDENTS
OF CHáVEZ RAVINE,
00:06:52.417 --> 00:06:55.249
NOTIFYING THEM THAT THEY
WOULD HAVE TO SELL THEIR HOMES
00:06:55.250 --> 00:06:58.998
TO MAKE WAY FOR LOW-INCOME
PUBLIC HOUSING.
00:06:58.999 --> 00:07:01.374
FRANK WILKINSON
OF THE CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
00:07:01.375 --> 00:07:03.458
LED THE PROJECT.
00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:06.166
Wilkinson: OUR CITY WAS
THE FIRST CITY IN THE NATION
00:07:06.167 --> 00:07:07.999
TO GET THE FIRST $110 MILLION...
00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:10.875
BILLION DOLLARS
IN TODAY'S MONEY...
00:07:10.876 --> 00:07:12.166
FOR PUBLIC HOUSING IN L.A.,
00:07:12.167 --> 00:07:15.833
WHERE WE WERE GOING TO BUILD
10,000 UNITS.
00:07:15.834 --> 00:07:19.583
AND CHáVEZ RAVINE WAS ONE
OF THE PRIME PLACES WE FOUND
00:07:19.584 --> 00:07:21.082
SIMPLY BECAUSE IT
WAS PREDOMINANTLY VACANT,
00:07:21.083 --> 00:07:25.791
SO YOU COULD BUILD WITHOUT
DISPLACING SO MANY PEOPLE.
00:07:25.792 --> 00:07:31.998
Anchando: IT WAS SOMETHING
THAT REALLY HIT THEM HARD,
00:07:31.999 --> 00:07:32.999
YOU KNOW.
00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:34.998
SOMETHING LIKE THAT
THAT HAPPENED,
00:07:34.999 --> 00:07:36.998
I MEAN, IT'S WHEN THEY'RE
GOING TO THROW YOU OUT.
00:07:36.999 --> 00:07:39.291
THEY WERE FORCING US
OUT, REALLY.
00:07:39.292 --> 00:07:42.998
AND THEY WOULD TELL US,
"IF YOU DON'T SELL,
00:07:42.999 --> 00:07:45.208
"WE'RE GOING TO CONDEMN
YOUR PROPERTY...
00:07:45.209 --> 00:07:46.708
YOU WON'T GET ANYTHING
OUT OF IT."
00:07:46.709 --> 00:07:49.998
SO THAT SCARED US,
A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE.
00:07:49.999 --> 00:07:53.998
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY,
AS A PUBLIC ENTITY,
00:07:53.999 --> 00:07:55.875
HAS THE RIGHT TO BUY YOUR HOME.
00:07:55.876 --> 00:07:59.166
THEY'LL PAY YOU
A FAIR MARKET VALUE,
00:07:59.167 --> 00:08:02.917
AND THEN,
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SELL.
00:08:02.918 --> 00:08:04.082
THAT'S THE POWER THAT WE HAD.
00:08:04.083 --> 00:08:06.998
AND I PREPARED A CERTIFICATE
TO EVERY FAMILY
00:08:06.999 --> 00:08:10.998
THAT I VISITED THERE... AND I
VISITED ALL THOSE PEOPLE...
00:08:10.999 --> 00:08:11.999
SAYING WHEN THE PROJECT
IS BUILT,
00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:14.998
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL BE
THE FIRST PRIORITY TO GET THERE.
00:08:14.999 --> 00:08:16.998
YOU COULD PICK THE PART OF
THE PROJECT YOU WANT TO LIVE IN.
00:08:16.999 --> 00:08:20.416
THAT NEVER HAPPENED, THEY
NEVER BUILT ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
00:08:20.417 --> 00:08:23.998
THEY JUST WENT AHEAD AND BUILT
THE DODGER STADIUM.
00:08:23.999 --> 00:08:25.583
AND RICHARD NEUTRA
00:08:25.584 --> 00:08:30.999
AND ROBERT ALEXANDER WERE PICKED
AS THE ARCHITECTS FOR THE SITE
00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.208
AND THEY WORKED FOR MONTHS,
00:08:32.209 --> 00:08:34.666
DESIGNING, WRITING,
DOING BEAUTIFUL PLANS.
00:08:34.667 --> 00:08:39.625
WE HAD PLAYGROUNDS, CHURCH,
SCHOOL, EVERYTHING.
00:08:39.626 --> 00:08:41.875
WE WERE COMPLETELY IDEALISTIC,
00:08:41.876 --> 00:08:43.998
FEELING THAT
WHAT WE WERE OFFERING
00:08:43.999 --> 00:08:46.458
WAS GOOD FOR THE CITY OF L.A.,
00:08:46.459 --> 00:08:50.208
WAS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE
WHO WERE BEING DISPLACED.
00:08:50.209 --> 00:08:51.999
WE WERE GOING TO HAVE
FIRST CRACK
00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:54.583
AT MOVING INTO THOSE PROJECTS.
00:08:54.584 --> 00:08:55.833
NOW, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE
00:08:55.834 --> 00:08:58.458
100 ACRES
OF LUSH GREEN BEAUTIFUL HILLS
00:08:58.459 --> 00:09:00.998
AND A HANDFUL OF MEXICANS
LIVING THERE
00:09:00.999 --> 00:09:04.998
WITH VEGETABLE GARDENS
AND A FEW PIGS AND GOATS...
00:09:04.999 --> 00:09:06.833
AND A LITTLE CHURCH AND,
YOU KNOW,
00:09:06.834 --> 00:09:10.082
BEING ALL CONDENSED IN A LITTLE
POSTAGE-SIZE TENEMENT,
00:09:10.083 --> 00:09:14.998
IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE,
IT SIMPLY DOESN'T WASH.
00:09:14.999 --> 00:09:16.708
WE WERE RIPPED OFF.
00:09:16.709 --> 00:09:17.998
MY DAD MADE A MISTAKE.
00:09:17.999 --> 00:09:21.998
YOU KNOW, THE GUYS FROM THE CITY
CAME AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR
00:09:21.999 --> 00:09:25.625
AND THEY OFFERED HIM 9,600.
00:09:25.626 --> 00:09:27.625
SO MY DAD SAYS, "WOW!"
00:09:27.626 --> 00:09:30.082
YOU KNOW, "I REALLY MADE
SOME MONEY," YOU KNOW,
00:09:30.083 --> 00:09:32.666
"I MADE A KILLING,"
THAT'S WHAT HE THOUGHT.
00:09:32.667 --> 00:09:34.998
SO WHEN WE MOVED OUT OF THERE
00:09:34.999 --> 00:09:38.708
AND MY DAD HAD TO BUY
ANOTHER HOUSE,
00:09:38.709 --> 00:09:39.998
THEY WEREN'T 9,600.
00:09:39.999 --> 00:09:44.708
THEY WERE $15,000,
$17,000, $18,000.
00:09:44.709 --> 00:09:47.458
Jaques: THEY DIDN'T WANT
TO MOVE.
00:09:47.459 --> 00:09:49.998
THEY DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE
THEIR FRIENDS,
00:09:49.999 --> 00:09:52.500
THEY DIDN'T WANT
TO LOSE THEIR HOMES,
00:09:52.501 --> 00:09:55.998
THAT THEY HAD BUILT
FROM NOTHING.
00:09:55.999 --> 00:09:57.291
SOME PEOPLE DIDN'T MOVE.
00:09:57.292 --> 00:09:59.917
YOU KNOW THE STORY
ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE.
00:09:59.918 --> 00:10:01.999
BUT THE MAJORITY
OF THE PEOPLE MOVED
00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:04.041
WHEN THEY GOT
THEIR INITIAL PAPERS
00:10:04.042 --> 00:10:07.999
BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T THINK THAT
THERE WAS A WAY TO FIGHT IT.
00:10:09.834 --> 00:10:11.208
Cruz: OUR COMMUNITY,
OUR BARRIO,
00:10:11.209 --> 00:10:14.998
WAS WELL REPRESENTED
IN WORLD WAR II.
00:10:14.999 --> 00:10:16.166
AND SOME OF OUR G.I.s,
OUR VETERANS,
00:10:16.167 --> 00:10:18.998
WERE COMING HOME FROM THE WARS,
AND AT THAT TIME,
00:10:18.999 --> 00:10:21.998
THEY WERE GETTING THE NEWS
THAT THE PEOPLE
00:10:21.999 --> 00:10:24.998
WERE GOING TO BE UPROOTED
FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
00:10:24.999 --> 00:10:28.917
AND I REMEMBER MY UNCLE MEETING
WITH SOME OF HIS WAR VETERANS
00:10:28.918 --> 00:10:30.249
IN FRONT OF MY GRANDMA'S HOUSE.
00:10:30.250 --> 00:10:33.458
HE SAYS, "THIS IS A BUNCH
OF BULLS...,
00:10:33.459 --> 00:10:34.998
"WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO
00:10:34.999 --> 00:10:36.666
"TO OUR PARENTS AND TO US.
00:10:36.667 --> 00:10:38.708
"OUR GOVERNMENT WAS GOOD ENOUGH
00:10:38.709 --> 00:10:40.998
"TO TAKE US OUT
OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
00:10:40.999 --> 00:10:42.291
"TO FIGHT A WAR.
00:10:42.292 --> 00:10:44.998
"WE COME HOME TO WHAT,
TO FIND OUT THAT
00:10:44.999 --> 00:10:47.998
THEY'RE GOING TO UPROOT US
FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD?"
00:10:47.999 --> 00:10:48.999
THAT WAS A BUNCH OF BULL.
00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:52.999
♪ Carnal conga sí ha goza'o ♪
00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:54.998
♪ ya los tiempos han cambia'o ♪
00:10:54.999 --> 00:10:56.998
♪ Usted está muy aguita'o ♪
00:10:56.999 --> 00:10:58.998
♪ y esta... ha atravesa'o ♪
00:10:58.999 --> 00:11:01.458
♪ Antes se bailaba el swing ♪
00:11:01.459 --> 00:11:03.500
♪ boogie woogie, Jitterbug ♪
00:11:03.501 --> 00:11:04.998
♪ Pero esto ya torció ♪♪
00:11:04.999 --> 00:11:09.082
Cruz: THEY HAD A BIG MEETING
OVER AT ELYSIAN PARK
00:11:09.083 --> 00:11:12.998
WITH THE CITY OFFICIALS
AND COMMUNITY PEOPLE.
00:11:12.999 --> 00:11:16.458
AND MY GRANDMA GOT UP,
YOU KNOW, AND SHE SAYS,
00:11:16.459 --> 00:11:20.249
"YOU DON'T HAVE NO RIGHT TO"...
IN SPANISH, RIGHT?
00:11:20.250 --> 00:11:21.998
SHE SAYS, "YOU DON'T HAVE
NO RIGHT TO BUY US OUT
00:11:21.999 --> 00:11:23.708
"OR KICK US OUT
OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
00:11:23.709 --> 00:11:25.998
"A LOT OF MY KIDS,
A LOT OF MY GRANDCHILDREN,
00:11:25.999 --> 00:11:29.208
WERE RAISED AND BORN HERE."
00:11:29.209 --> 00:11:30.458
AND THEN, SHE SAYS,
00:11:30.459 --> 00:11:35.583
"BESIDES, YOU BASTARDS,
MY SON DIED FOR MY PROPERTY.
00:11:35.584 --> 00:11:37.833
CAN YOU REPLACE MY SON?"
00:11:37.834 --> 00:11:39.998
THEN SHE STARTED CRYING,
AND THAT WAS IT.
00:11:39.999 --> 00:11:42.998
Anchando: IT WAS VERY SAD
THAT WE HAD TO MOVE AWAY
00:11:42.999 --> 00:11:46.998
BECAUSE WE WERE LIKE
A BIG FAMILY.
00:11:46.999 --> 00:11:50.998
AND A LOT OF MY FRIENDS
WERE THERE, TOO.
00:11:50.999 --> 00:11:51.459
MY COUSINS.
00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:57.374
AND THE ONE THAT REALLY HURT ME
A LOT WAS MY GRANDMOTHER.
00:11:57.375 --> 00:12:00.998
WE WERE VERY CLOSE WITH HER.
00:12:00.999 --> 00:12:04.917
MY FATHER BOUGHT PROPERTY
OUT IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS
00:12:04.918 --> 00:12:08.999
AND SHE COULDN'T GO WITH US
BECAUSE WE WERE TOO MANY.
00:12:10.999 --> 00:12:14.041
Gamboa: I REMEMBER LOOKING
AT MY HOUSE.
00:12:14.042 --> 00:12:17.708
I KNEW I WASN'T
GOING TO SEE IT AGAIN.
00:12:17.709 --> 00:12:18.998
I JUST LOOKED AT IT ONCE
00:12:18.999 --> 00:12:20.998
AND I REFUSED
TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN
00:12:20.999 --> 00:12:23.833
BECAUSE I KNEW
I WAS GOING TO BREAK DOWN.
00:12:23.834 --> 00:12:25.998
AND MY MOTHER
WAS ALREADY ALL BROKEN
00:12:25.999 --> 00:12:29.416
AND SHE NEEDED SOMEBODY
TO BE STRONG FOR HER.
00:12:29.417 --> 00:12:33.625
MY FATHER BUILT THAT HOUSE.
00:12:33.626 --> 00:12:36.998
I WAS BORN THERE.
00:12:36.999 --> 00:12:40.917
IT HAD A VINE GROWING
AND IT COVERED
00:12:40.918 --> 00:12:41.998
ALL THE ROOF IN THE FRONT.
00:12:41.999 --> 00:12:47.041
AND IN SPRING, IT LOOKED LIKE
IT WAS WEARING A WHITE CROWN.
00:12:47.042 --> 00:12:49.917
WE MOVED AWAY.
00:12:49.918 --> 00:12:51.876
IT WAS GONE.
00:12:54.375 --> 00:12:59.708
AND YOU KNOW, I'VE NEVER FELT
ABOUT ANY OTHER HOUSE
00:12:59.709 --> 00:13:03.626
THE WAY I FELT ABOUT THAT ONE.
00:13:08.834 --> 00:13:09.709
Marin: BY AUGUST 1952,
00:13:09.710 --> 00:13:14.041
PALO VERDE, LA LOMA, AND BISHOP
HAD BECOME GHOST TOWNS.
00:13:14.042 --> 00:13:14.999
THE CITY'S ACQUISITION
00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:17.998
OF THE LAND DESIGNATED
FOR THE HOUSING SITE
00:13:17.999 --> 00:13:18.999
WAS NEARLY COMPLETE.
00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.291
CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS
WERE UNDERWAY
00:13:20.292 --> 00:13:23.998
AGAINST THE FEW PROPERTY OWNERS
WHO STILL HELD OUT.
00:13:23.999 --> 00:13:25.416
IT WAS IN ONE OF THESE HEARINGS
00:13:25.417 --> 00:13:27.998
THAT THE ELYSIAN PARK HEIGHTS
HOUSING PROJECT
00:13:27.999 --> 00:13:30.791
WAS DEALT AN UNEXPECTED BLOW.
00:13:30.792 --> 00:13:33.875
Wilkinson: WE HAD A TREMENDOUS
SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM.
00:13:33.876 --> 00:13:35.416
PRETTY WELL FINISHED
THE ENGINEERING
00:13:35.417 --> 00:13:36.500
AND THE ARCHITECTURAL WORK.
00:13:36.501 --> 00:13:37.998
THE ONLY PEOPLE
WHO WERE OPPOSING IT
00:13:37.999 --> 00:13:41.208
WERE WHAT IS COMMONLY CALLED
THE REAL ESTATE LOBBY.
00:13:41.209 --> 00:13:42.042
IT WAS HEADED UP
00:13:42.043 --> 00:13:44.708
BY THE APARTMENT HOUSE
OWNERS ASSOCIATION
00:13:44.709 --> 00:13:46.998
AND OTHER PEOPLE LIKE THAT.
00:13:46.999 --> 00:13:48.500
THEY CALLED IT
CREEPING SOCIALISM.
00:13:48.501 --> 00:13:51.666
THEY WERE TRYING TO DISCREDIT IT
EVERY WAY THEY COULD...
00:13:51.667 --> 00:13:52.459
THEY HAD PETITIONS,
00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:55.458
THEY HAD INITIATIVES TO TRY
TO KILL THE PROGRAM.
00:13:55.459 --> 00:14:00.876
WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN
MORE SUSPICIOUS THAN WE WERE.
00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:04.583
AS I REMEMBER,
IT WAS A VERY LARGE SITE,
00:14:04.584 --> 00:14:08.500
IT WAS VACANT LAND,
BUT THE OWNER OF THAT PROPERTY
00:14:08.501 --> 00:14:12.708
WAS A PROMINENT BUSINESSPERSON,
DOWNTOWN L.A.,
00:14:12.709 --> 00:14:16.708
AND HE DEMANDED,
I THINK, $100,000,
00:14:16.709 --> 00:14:19.625
AND WE WERE FIGHTING
WITH HIM OVER VALUE.
00:14:19.626 --> 00:14:21.875
HE WANTED AS MUCH
AS HE COULD GET.
00:14:21.876 --> 00:14:22.998
WHEN, OUT OF NOWHERE,
00:14:22.999 --> 00:14:27.998
THIS LAWYER
FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER
00:14:27.999 --> 00:14:31.625
TURNED TO ME AND SAID,
00:14:31.626 --> 00:14:36.999
"NOW, MR. WILKINSON,
I WANT TO ASK YOU,
00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:42.998
"WHAT ORGANIZATIONS,
POLITICAL OR OTHERWISE,
00:14:42.999 --> 00:14:46.998
HAVE YOU BELONGED TO
SINCE 1931?"
00:14:46.999 --> 00:14:48.500
HE DIDN'T SAY,
"ARE YOU A COMMUNIST?"
00:14:48.501 --> 00:14:50.998
HE SAID, "WHAT HAVE YOU
BELONGED TO?"
00:14:50.999 --> 00:14:53.041
I JUST TURNED TO THE JUDGE
AND SAID,
00:14:53.042 --> 00:14:54.458
"I REFUSE TO ANSWER
THAT QUESTION."
00:14:54.459 --> 00:14:58.166
EVERYONE... ANY LAWYER
WOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY SAID
00:14:58.167 --> 00:15:00.041
"IRRELEVANT AND IMMATERIAL."
00:15:00.042 --> 00:15:03.666
IF THAT MAN HAD SAID THAT WORD,
I WOULD STILL BE HERE TODAY
00:15:03.667 --> 00:15:06.708
AND THE PROJECT
WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT.
00:15:06.709 --> 00:15:07.998
BUT MY LAWYER SAID NOTHING.
00:15:07.999 --> 00:15:09.998
NOT A WORD,
HE WAS JUST PALE WHITE.
00:15:09.999 --> 00:15:10.999
HE TOLD ME LATER,
00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:13.708
"FRANK, IF I HAD OBJECTED
TO THAT QUESTION,
00:15:13.709 --> 00:15:18.998
PEOPLE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT I,"
MEANING HE, "WAS A COMMUNIST
00:15:18.999 --> 00:15:20.666
BECAUSE I OBJECT
TO THAT QUESTION."
00:15:20.667 --> 00:15:21.998
I SAID, "WHAT ABOUT ME?"
00:15:21.999 --> 00:15:24.500
HE SAID, "WELL,
YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, TOO."
00:15:24.501 --> 00:15:30.500
ONE OF THE TOP COMMUNIST AGENTS
ASSIGNED TO OPERATION ABOLITION
00:15:30.501 --> 00:15:32.291
IS FRANK WILKINSON,
00:15:32.292 --> 00:15:35.249
RECENTLY CONVICTED
FOR CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS
00:15:35.250 --> 00:15:37.583
FOR REFUSAL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
00:15:37.584 --> 00:15:41.998
CONCERNING HIS COMMUNIST PARTY
MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES.
00:15:41.999 --> 00:15:43.458
LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW
CLOSELY,
00:15:43.459 --> 00:15:47.998
BECAUSE IN IT, YOU WILL HEAR
FRANK WILKINSON,
00:15:47.999 --> 00:15:49.374
A COMMUNIST AGENT,
00:15:49.375 --> 00:15:51.166
EXPLAIN HIS COMMUNIST JARGON.
00:15:51.167 --> 00:15:53.416
IN THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS
TODAY, YOU WERE CALLED
00:15:53.417 --> 00:15:55.291
AN INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNIST AGENT...
00:15:55.292 --> 00:15:56.500
ARE YOU A COMMUNIST?
00:15:56.501 --> 00:15:57.998
UNTIL THEY HAVE RESOLVED
THIS MATTER
00:15:57.999 --> 00:16:02.998
AND DECLARED THESE KIND OF
QUESTIONS, UNDER COMPULSION,
00:16:02.999 --> 00:16:05.291
TO BE ILLEGAL
AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL,
00:16:05.292 --> 00:16:06.998
I REFUSE TO ANSWER
THE QUESTIONS
00:16:06.999 --> 00:16:09.998
AWAY FROM THE COMMITTEE,
JUST AS I REFUSE TO ANSWER THEM
00:16:09.999 --> 00:16:13.833
DIRECTLY TO THE COMMITTEE
WHILE I'VE BEEN CALLED.
00:16:13.834 --> 00:16:17.208
[ SIGHS ]
00:16:17.209 --> 00:16:18.708
I WAS FIRED.
00:16:18.709 --> 00:16:21.998
YOU KNOW, I'M OUT, DESTROYED,
REALLY DESTROYED.
00:16:21.999 --> 00:16:25.374
"NEUTRALIZED" IS THE WAY
THE FBI LISTED IT...
00:16:25.375 --> 00:16:26.999
THEY "SUCCESSFULLY
NEUTRALIZED" ME.
00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:30.208
CREWS OF TELEVISION PEOPLE
ARRIVED AT THE COURTROOM,
00:16:30.209 --> 00:16:34.458
WALKED IN TO TAKE PICTURES
OF THE WHOLE SCENE.
00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:35.666
MAYOR BOWRON WAS REMOVED.
00:16:35.667 --> 00:16:38.249
HE WOULD HAVE BEEN
A SHOO-IN IN 1953.
00:16:38.250 --> 00:16:40.666
AFTER THIS WAS REPORTED
IN THE PRESS,
00:16:40.667 --> 00:16:42.998
THE TIMES AND OTHER PAPERS
CRUSADING AGAINST THE MAYOR,
00:16:42.999 --> 00:16:45.708
BOWRON WAS WIPED OUT,
AND THE NEW MAYOR,
00:16:45.709 --> 00:16:48.082
NORRIS POULSON, CAME IN
AND STARTED THE NEGOTIATIONS
00:16:48.083 --> 00:16:52.082
TO TURN THE SITE,
NOT BACK TO THE PEOPLE,
00:16:52.083 --> 00:16:54.998
BUT TO TURN IT OVER
TO WALTER O'MALLEY
00:16:54.999 --> 00:16:55.876
AND THE BROOKLYN DODGERS.
00:16:55.877 --> 00:16:59.458
WE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
GETTING READY FOR IT,
00:16:59.459 --> 00:17:03.998
AND THE DODGERS PICKED IT UP
FOR JUST A FRACTION OF THAT.
00:17:03.999 --> 00:17:08.291
IT WAS JUST A TRAGEDY
FOR THE PEOPLE.
00:17:08.292 --> 00:17:11.666
AND FOR THE CITY, IT WAS
THE MOST HYPOCRITICAL THING
00:17:11.667 --> 00:17:12.998
THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN,
00:17:12.999 --> 00:17:15.998
THE CITY PROMISING YOU
A DECENT HOME.
00:17:15.999 --> 00:17:17.998
Marin: FOR REFUSING
TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
00:17:17.999 --> 00:17:20.458
OF THE HOUSE UN-AMERICAN
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE,
00:17:20.459 --> 00:17:23.416
FRANK WILKINSON SPENT
A YEAR IN JAIL.
00:17:23.417 --> 00:17:24.458
IT WAS THE BEGINNING
00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:26.998
OF FRANK'S OWN LEGAL BATTLE
AGAINST THE FBI,
00:17:26.999 --> 00:17:27.999
WHICH HAD TARGETED FRANK
00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.998
AS PART OF A DELIBERATE EFFORT
00:17:29.999 --> 00:17:33.082
TO DESTROY THE NATION'S
PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMS.
00:17:33.083 --> 00:17:38.249
OUR LAWSUIT STARTED IN 1980,
LASTED 12 YEARS.
00:17:38.250 --> 00:17:41.875
IT COST LOEB & LOEB,
THE LAW FIRM WHO REPRESENTED ME,
00:17:41.876 --> 00:17:44.500
IT COST THEN A MILLION DOLLARS
IN PRO BONO MONEY.
00:17:44.501 --> 00:17:45.998
IT WAS AN ACLU TEST CASE.
00:17:45.999 --> 00:17:49.875
AND WE FINALLY WON, AND OUT OF
WINNING THAT, WE GET
00:17:49.876 --> 00:17:55.998
132,000 PAGES ON MY LIFE
FROM '42 TO '80.
00:17:55.999 --> 00:18:00.999
AND IN THERE IS THE STORY
OF CHáVEZ RAVINE.
00:18:08.584 --> 00:18:14.917
♪ Viejo barrio, barrio viejo ♪
00:18:14.918 --> 00:18:18.998
♪ sólo hay lugares parejos ♪
00:18:18.999 --> 00:18:22.998
♪ donde un día ubo casas ♪
00:18:22.999 --> 00:18:28.666
♪ donde vivió nuestra raza ♪
00:18:28.667 --> 00:18:34.833
♪ Sólo quedan los escombros ♪
00:18:34.834 --> 00:18:38.666
♪ de los hogares felices ♪
00:18:38.667 --> 00:18:43.374
♪ de las alegres familias ♪
00:18:43.375 --> 00:18:48.791
♪ de esa gente que yo quise ♪
00:18:48.792 --> 00:18:50.998
♪ Por las tardes ♪
00:18:50.999 --> 00:18:53.998
♪ se sentaban ♪
00:18:53.999 --> 00:18:58.875
♪ afuera a tomar el fresco ♪
00:18:58.876 --> 00:19:01.998
♪ Yo pasdaba y saludaba ♪
00:19:01.999 --> 00:19:07.998
♪ ya parece que oigo el eco ♪
00:19:07.999 --> 00:19:11.998
♪ "¿Cómo esta Doña Juanita?" ♪
00:19:11.999 --> 00:19:16.998
♪ "Buenas tardes, Isabel" ♪
00:19:16.999 --> 00:19:21.833
♪ "iHola!
¿Qué dices, Chalita?" ♪
00:19:21.834 --> 00:19:26.501
♪ "¿Como están Arturo
y Manuel?" ♪
00:19:39.083 --> 00:19:40.875
Hernandez: SEE THEM TREES
OVER THERE?
00:19:40.876 --> 00:19:43.208
THIS IS THIS HILL
RIGHT HERE, SEE?
00:19:43.209 --> 00:19:45.998
AND THE STADIUM'S...
SEE THIS HILL?
00:19:45.999 --> 00:19:48.082
THAT'S WHERE THE STADIUM SITS...
WE'RE LOOKING RIGHT THERE,
00:19:48.083 --> 00:19:50.999
DOWN AT THE BOTTOM
OF THE PARKING LOT.
00:19:57.999 --> 00:20:00.791
Elias: THEY HAD
TO LOWER THE HILL
00:20:00.792 --> 00:20:02.208
SO THEY CAN HAVE ROOM
00:20:02.209 --> 00:20:04.291
FOR THE STADIUM, SEE?
00:20:04.292 --> 00:20:06.208
SO THEY LOWERED THE HILL,
00:20:06.209 --> 00:20:10.876
AND THAT DIRT COVERED
THE WHOLE VALLEY.
00:20:12.584 --> 00:20:15.625
THE PALO VERDE SCHOOL,
IT WAS A GRAMMAR SCHOOL,
00:20:15.626 --> 00:20:18.041
IT WAS A TWO-STORY BUILDING.
00:20:18.042 --> 00:20:20.917
THEY TOOK THE ROOF
OFF THE SCHOOL,
00:20:20.918 --> 00:20:23.082
YOU KNOW, AND THE FLOORS
AND EVERYTHING,
00:20:23.083 --> 00:20:24.042
AND JUST LEFT THE WALLS.
00:20:24.043 --> 00:20:25.998
AND THEY JUST FILLED IT
WITH DIRT
00:20:25.999 --> 00:20:28.998
AND EVENTUALLY COVERED IT.
00:20:28.999 --> 00:20:31.082
SO IN A THOUSAND YEARS,
00:20:31.083 --> 00:20:32.998
SOMEBODY'S GOING TO
START DIGGING,
00:20:32.999 --> 00:20:36.999
THEY'RE GOING TO FIND
THAT SCHOOL DOWN THERE.
00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:42.875
Woman: WHEN I SAW THE BULLDOZERS
MOVING THE LAND, I SAID,
00:20:42.876 --> 00:20:45.416
"YOU KNOW, I'M NEVER GOING TO GO
SEE A DODGER GAME,"
00:20:45.417 --> 00:20:47.998
THOUGH I WAS A DODGER FAN.
00:20:47.999 --> 00:20:52.041
Jaques: I WENT TO ONE REUNION
00:20:52.042 --> 00:20:54.500
AND THEY HANDED THE DODGERS
00:20:54.501 --> 00:20:59.625
OLIVE BRANCHES, SYMBOLICALLY.
00:20:59.626 --> 00:21:00.708
I WAS TWO MONTHS OLD
00:21:00.709 --> 00:21:02.249
WHEN THE DODGERS MOVED
TO LOS ANGELES.
00:21:02.250 --> 00:21:03.666
[ LAUGHTER ]
00:21:03.667 --> 00:21:04.998
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.
00:21:04.999 --> 00:21:07.998
I WAS TWO MONTHS OLD,
AND HONESTLY,
00:21:07.999 --> 00:21:10.998
WHEN WE STARTED WORKING
WITH THE COMMUNITY,
00:21:10.999 --> 00:21:14.082
I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT
TOOK PLACE 40 YEARS AGO,
00:21:14.083 --> 00:21:15.291
I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND
00:21:15.292 --> 00:21:17.208
WHAT HAPPENED
IN THE COMMUNITIES HERE.
00:21:17.209 --> 00:21:19.791
AND I THINK
THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING
00:21:19.792 --> 00:21:21.998
ON THE PART OF THE DODGERS
00:21:21.999 --> 00:21:24.998
WAS PERCEIVED
AS A LACK OF CARING.
00:21:24.999 --> 00:21:27.374
WHAT, WHAT KIND OF CRAP
IS THAT,
00:21:27.375 --> 00:21:30.208
WE GIVE YOU
A F... ING OLIVE BRANCH?
00:21:30.209 --> 00:21:32.166
IT JUST PISSES ME OFF.
00:21:32.167 --> 00:21:33.998
OH, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL STADIUM.
00:21:33.999 --> 00:21:35.998
I LOVE THE DODGERS.
00:21:35.999 --> 00:21:37.999
I'M A FAN OF THEM.
00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.208
AND, UH...
00:21:39.209 --> 00:21:42.458
AND I WAS HOPING SOMEDAY
I WOULD WORK INSIDE THE STADIUM
00:21:42.459 --> 00:21:48.709
AS A HELPER, CARETAKER,
BUT NEVER MADE IT.
00:21:50.999 --> 00:21:51.999
Cruz: WHAT IF?
00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.998
WHAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE
SUCCEEDED WITH THE PROJECT
00:21:53.999 --> 00:21:55.917
THAT THEY WANTED TO PUT THERE?
00:21:55.918 --> 00:21:58.583
DO YOU THINK
WE WOULD STILL BE THERE?
00:21:58.584 --> 00:21:59.998
THAT I ASKED HIM,
00:21:59.999 --> 00:22:01.208
BUT, YOU KNOW, HE SAID,
00:22:01.209 --> 00:22:03.291
"THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
WE'LL NEVER KNOW.
00:22:03.292 --> 00:22:04.458
"ALL WE KNOW IS THAT
00:22:04.459 --> 00:22:06.500
"WE WERE UPROOTED
FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
00:22:06.501 --> 00:22:09.167
AND WE WENT OUR SEPARATE WAYS."
00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.374
Jaques: THE REALLY SAD THING
00:22:12.375 --> 00:22:15.998
IS THAT SO MANY OF US
DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER.
00:22:15.999 --> 00:22:18.666
WE'VE ALL GONE
AND WE'VE DONE OUR THINGS,
00:22:18.667 --> 00:22:19.875
BUT IT'S LIKE IN A VACUUM,
00:22:19.876 --> 00:22:22.208
IT'S LIKE WE LOST OUR BROTHERS,
WE LOST OUR SISTERS.
00:22:22.209 --> 00:22:26.208
SO THERE'S GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE
THAT WE'LL NEVER KNOW
00:22:26.209 --> 00:22:29.999
THAT THEY DID KNOW
EACH OTHER.
00:22:33.167 --> 00:22:34.583
Normark: A LOT OF TIME PASSED.
00:22:34.584 --> 00:22:37.208
I THINK IT WAS
ABOUT A DOZEN YEARS,
00:22:37.209 --> 00:22:39.998
AND BY THEN,
DODGER STADIUM WAS BUILT.
00:22:39.999 --> 00:22:42.374
I WAS IN TOWN WORKING,
PHOTOGRAPHING ON ASSIGNMENT,
00:22:42.375 --> 00:22:46.583
AND I THOUGHT I WOULD GO VISIT
THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD.
00:22:46.584 --> 00:22:48.500
I WAS DRIVING UP THESE ROADS
00:22:48.501 --> 00:22:50.791
AND I KEPT RUNNING
INTO DODGER STADIUM
00:22:50.792 --> 00:22:52.998
AND I JUST COULDN'T
FIGURE IT OUT.
00:22:52.999 --> 00:22:54.998
AND I THOUGHT THAT
IT MUST STILL BE THERE,
00:22:54.999 --> 00:22:57.998
IF I COULD FIND
THE RIGHT ROAD TO GET IN,
00:22:57.999 --> 00:23:00.999
BUT I NEVER COULD FIND
THE RIGHT ROAD.
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 24 minutes
Date: 2005
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: Grades 4 to 12, College, Adult
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
Audio description: Available
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