Beyond the glitz of Hollywood and the glamor of Beverly Hills lies another side of Los Angeles. Unless they look closely, though, most people will miss the culturally rich and complex community that lives in South Los Angeles. To counter this tendency, journalism professor Robert Hernandez encouraged students in his "Introduction to Online Media" course to study South Los Angeles.
The community contains a plethora of cultures and diversity, but is often neglected in the media. The students explored unfamiliar areas of Los Angeles, including Jefferson Park and MacArthur Park. After trekking through the city for several hours, they returned with a collection of photos and inspirational stories. Selections from their projects are now on display in USC Annenberg's second floor lobby. One set of photos encapsulates the dedication Harold & Belle's has to serving the finest Creole comfort food. The restaurant is still operated by family members 49 years after its founding. Other images tell the story of a Sheila Abramson, a waitress at Langer's Delicatessen. Aside from her day job, Abramson is intensely devoted to educating illiterate children at the Centro Latino for Literacy. Venturing out of their comfort zones allowed the students to see beyond South Los Angeles’ dangerous reputation. They were not only able to connect with the diverse community, but also provide a positive perspective of the area.
Photos and audio pieces can now be viewed on the online versions of On Jefferson, Two Blocks Around the Park, and Main Street, L.A.
