Esther's Writing 340 Retrospective

As finals come looming down on us and before I begin studying hardcore for my Psychology of Happiness final, I would like to address that I found the blogging experience to be memorable and helpful throughout my research for Assignment 4. I did have prior knowledge regarding the policy issue of food deserts in South Central Los Angeles but Assignment 4 allowed me to delve deeper into my area of study. I actually did a primary interview with my former professor and Community Health Council member, LaVonna Lewis, Phd as well as my copious amount of scholarly articles and policy briefs that I found through USC's vast library database. All in all, this advanced writing course with Professor Carroll-Adler made me view life in a more cosmopolitan perspective. Aside from the stress of the policy, planning and development world, I came to appreciate the meaning of arts and humanities. This course allowed me to be exposed to different genres in art ranging from cinema to cultural issues that impact our society. My blogging experience, collaborative learning workshops and the personal conferences allowed me to develop an appreciation for life as general as that sounds. Art can inspire people to change and to look at life from a positive perspective. Through the writing assignments and the viewing of "The Interrupters" also solidified my interest in helping others fulfill their aspirations for the future. My undergraduate major may be in Public Management at the Price School of Public Policy but I plan to become a future Occupational Therapist one day. I have always had an interest in the healthcare field but was too afraid to embark in a long journey of biological sciences. However, my experience in this arts and humanities course had narrowed my ruminating thoughts as I honed in my passion for the OT field through our interactive classroom activities. The interaction with my classmates and this course instilled a sense of individual empowerment that I do have a lot to offer in the present and in the future. My blog definitely helped me throughout my process of "self-discovery"and I plan to continue blogging for enjoyment.

Extra Credit Review: The Interrupters-A Must See

On a dreary and chilly night, my friend, Miesha Morse and I attended the University of Southern California’s Visions & Voices event of the screening of “The Interrupters”. Even though, we arrived at the Norris Cinema Theatre fairly early, majority of Frank Sinatra Hall was filled with students. USC’s own alumnus, critically acclaimed director, John Singleton came up to the podium and made a simple, direct introduction. At this point, I was anticipating the documentary to start and soon enough, the film started. 
“The Interrupters” was a film that was created by Steve James in 2011 and was shot over the course of one year in Englewood, Chicago. Englewood should not be confused with California’s Inglewood as this Chicago city is heavily stricken with violence and murder. However, the main focus of the film was the work of the CeaseFire team and their initiative to start a pay-it-forward campaign called the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention aka “CeaseFire”. 
The documentary focused on this Chicago Project. The main characters were the director of CeaseFire Illnois, Tio Hardiman and the violence interrupters, Ameena Matthews, Cobe Williams and Eddie Bocanegra. Majority of the people who were in the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention were former gang members or were former hustlers. One interesting fact that I learned was that Ameena Matthews was the daughter of the infamous Chicago gang leader and Black radical, Jeff Fort. Ameena Matthews was the main violence interrupter as she was deeply passionate about advocating to the youth about expressing their hatred or feelings in a non-violent manner. As Tio Hardiman stated, “she knew how to get in and out with the troubled youth”. Ameena was inspiring as she always spoke wisdom and persuaded the young individuals to not embark in violent actions.
CeaseFire is truly a pay-it-forward movement that can transform at-risk individuals such as Caprysha (Ameena’s focus individual throughout the documentary) to stop the escalation of violence within the urban community of Chicago. Throughout the film and in the discussion, the Violence Interrupters (Ameena, Eddie and Cobe) emphasized that violence is not the cure to solve one’s problems but the individual choice to stop living a life filled with violence is more rewarding, impactful and inspiring. All these three elements are what the members of CeaseFire instill within the individuals they embark throughout their violence prevention program as this project not only helps reduce crime in Chicago but also, transforms the urban youth to change for the better. 

Breathtaking. Inspiring. The power of the individual voice for collective action and empowerment. These were the feelings that I was left with after I watched the screening of "The Interrupters" on November 30, 2012.

Violence Interrupter: Cobe Williams at work for Violence Prevention

Curious for more? Go ahead and be an advocate for Violence Prevention. Visit this link: http://dornsife.usc.edu/events/site/96/900437/film-screening-the-interrupters/

Lewis' Insider Perspective on South LA's 'Food Deserts'

My former professor, LaVonna Lewis Phd in action!

"Food Flight: Food Inequity in South Central Los Angeles"

Not Psychology but Public Health as my 2nd Field!

Hello classmates! I hope your final study preparations are going well. Sorry for the delay in posting... So here is an update posting in my beloved but slightly forgotten blog. Amused enough? Alright, alright enough sarcastic jokes from me. Serious crunch time... starts... NOW.

While writing my research paper and reflecting back to the comments that my classmates had made, I realized that I was focusing my attention on a field that was not deeply related to my research topic of food deserts. Public health is the field that I am supposed to be advocating for! So, my fellow classmates, I am deeply regretful for misinforming you regarding my other field of research.

I finished writing my Assignment 4 about a week ago but I could have made my argument about why food deserts is a public policy and a public health problem in Los Angeles County. Many of my classmates, and most people in general, are not aware with the terminology of "food deserts". The presentation that I gave to my peers in my opinion was direct and opened a new way of thinking about social policy issues that occur in our world.

My personal interview with my former professor, LaVonna Lewis, Ph.D. was extremely informative in strengthening my arguments in proposing a grassroots, community-based approach to policy. Throughout the interview, Professor Lewis emphasized that public education must be implemented at the grassroots level when transforming an urban food environment. Education about healthy nutrition to community residents is necessary especially to younger generation as children are the ones that are at the highest risk for obesity and other health related diseases.

The lack of access to healthy food is believed to be a key factor in the obesity epidemic and the reason for current policy initiatives against “food deserts”.

As a Los Angeles native, I find it unbelievable that unhealthy food choices are ubiquitous in an urban, metropolitan city. It contradicts the promotion of current society's healthy food movement. While campaigns such as Michelle Obama's Let's Move! try to combat health issues associated with unhealthy eating habits, these campaigns seem ineffective without intervention from policy makers, the food retailing industry, grocery store developers, and the involvement of members of the community. Food deserts are a public health issue but this problem can be solved over time if there is a dynamic, grassroots approach and lots of support from all members of the community.

Presentation Reflections

Reflecting back on my presentation, I felt that I was confident in introducing my research topic of the pervasive problem of food deserts in South LA by combining two fields in public policy and [psychology*] to my classmates. Throughout my PowerPoint presentation, I explained the implications of food deserts and why they should be made aware to the people of Los Angeles County.

The prevalence of food deserts, especially in low-income areas such as South LA, is problematic as our society is constantly making advancements toward eco-friendly living. Food deserts in South LA curtail the efforts of policymakers and public health advocates whose goal is to improve the health of their constituents and eliminate socioeconomic disparities. As I have mentioned in my last blog post, food deserts are complex problems that encompass a wide spectrum of issues and there is not so there is not a “one-fits-all” type of solution.

South LA's Community Food Project: Operation Market Makeover

As I expressed in my presentation, the solution to complex issues such as these must begin at the grassroots level. A grassroots-model that advocates active community participation, funding from private and nonprofit businesses and collaborations with policymakers will transform South LA’s prolonged problem of being the “food desert” of Los Angeles County. Civic engagement from South LA residents and collaboration with policymakers and businesses will help transform South LA’s food desert into an accessible and nutritious food environment. 

French political thinker: Alexis de Tocqueville

French political thinker and ethics advocate Alexis de Tocqueville stated, “In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them” (Cooper, 2008).  Tocqueville stressed the value and importance of civic engagement, activism and individualism, as these components are necessary to inspire change. Transformation of a food desert to a food oasis does not happen overnight despite the wishes of most policymakers and residents. Rather, it is a long and challenging process. However, community food projects such as “Market Makeovers” would help spark the importance of community involvement in South LA and lead the community in the right direction. I also enjoyed the Q&A from the class as it did help me broaden my perspective to look at different ways our society is working toward the goal of a healthy food environment and healthy food education.

(Note: *Sorry guys! I was meaning to say Public Health as my 2nd field!)

The Importance of Implementing "Community" in South LA

In order for progress to be made on the issue of food deserts in South LA, the community must be engaged through civic engagement. 

I have been emphasizing and hinting at the importance of civic engagement throughout my blog entries. Civic engagement is important for citizens of a community to be more involved in that it allows them to offer specific recommendations to the department of Los Angeles Public Health Council. In order for change to occur, citizens must realize that by being active, patient, persistent and diligent, they can  produce results. Solving policy issues is a dynamic and long-term process. The implementation of a citizen-centered approach from South LA residents is an essential step toward producing long-lasting change towards building self-governance, fostering social justice and citizen empowerment.

Building partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as Public Matters has been a proactive step from South LA residents into transforming food deserts into food oases.  The project that the nonprofit organization implemented, called, “Market Makeovers” focuses on civic engagement. On its website, the organization outlines the project for community change:

·      Designed to serve a national community

·      Features the work of South LA Healthy Eating Active Community Initiative (HEAC), local high school students and work from the nonprofit itself by using South LA’s corner stores as “case studies” for the corner store transformation

·      Combination of pragmatic information and innovative strategies to combat the food desert issue that’s prevalent in South LA

·      Innovative video content through three media channels

·      An evolving guide for progression towards achieving the policy solution of food oasis

A policy problem cannot have an easy “one fits all” solution as every societal problem is bound to have many different facets. This is not an overnight solution. Many people who live in middle-high income neighborhoods have probably never experienced the hardships that low-income people have to undergo on a daily basis. Because my meals center on fresh food, not having access to fresh fruits and vegetables is unimaginable for me. Market Makeovers campaign is an efficient step towards alleviating the problem of food deserts in a low-income urban communities like South LA. However, there are other sustainable grassroots efforts (ie. community gardens, community supported agriculture, etc.) in which South LA residents can engage in with the city of Los Angeles and business (private and nonprofit). Maybe the city of Los Angeles should look into policy reform/new policy initiatives of other cities such as New York's Health Bucks program for the movement towards change?

Why are there Barriers to Grocery Store Development in South LA?

I ended my last blog post with a meaningful statement from my professor, Lavonna Lewis Ph.D., as she said South LA residents would be willing to take extra measures to travel to West LA grocery stores if they have certain dietary preferences or restrictions.

But this makes me wonder why South LA is still a food desert despite some health policy progressions. Are there are racial disparities regarding food environments in certain neighborhoods to prevent South LA from ultimately being a FOOD OASIS?

The Community Health Council (CHC) discussed in a 2010 policy brief report titled Food Desert to Food Oasis: Promoting Grocery Store Development in South Los Angeles, that there are six key barriers for the establishment of full-service grocery stores in South LA.

(1) Difficulty Identifying Viable Sites

    South LA’s urban landscape is small and oddly-shaped

    Developers find it difficult to expand or create full-service grocery stores.

    There are too many factors to consider such as environmental contamination from construction of these grocery stores, demolishment of existing structures, relocation of businesses/ residents for redevelopment.

    Too much development costs and time spent overtime

(2) Costly Infrastructure Requirements

    Again, the issue with land use and infrastructure requirements outweigh the benefits as there are city of Los Angeles regulations that developers must consider in mixed-use development (ie. transit-oriented districts where it is pedestrian and public transportation friendly)

    Landscaping and layout for construction of full-service grocery stores must follow LA city’s regulations for development

(3) Lengthy Approval Process

    Development is usually a lengthy and cumbersome approval process

o   New projects need to be reviewed and approved by 12 different City departments!

o   During this time, the developers would have to incur more cost than benefit. 

(4) Lack of Skilled Workers

    Retail food industry is about ensuring food safety, customer service and efficiency

    Public education in South LA is lacking---where will managers find skilled laborers? Time to interview non-South LA jobseekers can be costly

(5) Presumed Lack of Spending Power

    Efficient market potential is undermined when low-income residents cannot afford to buy certain products (ex. organic, gluten-free, sugar free, etc.)

(6) Negative Perceptions of the Neighborhood

    Stigma of high crime rates and urban decay in South LA.

You now had a glimpse of the barriers that urban food environments in low-income areas undergo which prevents the residents from eating healthy and living an active lifestyle. But, do individuals have the power to fight for change? My answer: YES, they do!