The anti-gentrification push in Boyle Heights is strong due in large part to the community being able to recognize the warning signs of gentrification as seen in neighborhoods such as Highland park and Echo park. “In the early 2000’s up to the housing boom, I watched Echo park change. It was a tidal wave. They started opening up cafes and flower shops and galleries and at first it was like, ‘Oh, that’s kind of interesting’. And then it just flipped quickly and no one anticipated it. As this happened in Highland park, and then coming here in Boyle Heights, and the Eastside, people knew what to anticipate. I think that’s why there’s push back like there wasn’t before.” says artist Wayne Perry. The push is also one at has divided the community and made gentrification synonymous with coffee and art. What this push often forgets about and fails to acknowledge is that artists are a part of the community too. They’re subject to the same rent burden, population density, and the poverty level that play into the “eligibility” to gentrify a neighborhood. They’re trying to make a living with their art and often times artist of color are some of the lowest paid work force.

Courtesy of Self Help Graphics & Art