Lot

1800 W 54th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90062

A lot sits on the corner of
Western Avenue and 54th Street, in the heart of South Los Angeles. From what is visible
to the public, this lot is filled
with many trailers, different
kinds of wild flora, and the
uncertainty of the well being of
neighboring residents. Local residents have expressed
concern about the questionable
activity that takes place in the
lot. There is an elementary school across the street and many parents do not feel comfortable letting their children walk by the lot, unsure of the kind of people who are in it or things that are being done. When a local resident, Antonia Garcia, was asked how she feels about the lot she responded, “I think that it’s dangerous and that it gives this area a bad name because it looks so suspicious and dark.” No one is really sure of what occurs in the lot, especially because its perimeter is covered with black plastic blankets, which gives off a bad connotation. It is clear that the lot is closed off to outsiders because when I tried to obtain an interview from someone inside, I felt an instant, hostile, and unwelcome energy. The best thing to do was to get out before something bad or unwanted happened.

The dark, unfriendly lot was once a McDonald’s restaurant where
children played freely and
cheerfully. In 1998, McDonald’s corporation decided to
move the location of the restaurant
to a new shopping center five
blocks south of Western Avenue. Despite the requests of the
residents to keep it in the same
location, McDonald’s decided to
move it to the shopping center
because of the possibility of a larger profit. After the demolition of the McDonald’s, a sign was put up displaying the future plans for the lot. As time passed, nothing was built and the abandoned lot remained empty. Little by little trailers began to inhabit the lot and coverings were put up to block the view from the outside in. Fear and concern began to grow in the residents, as the lot became a secretive and mysterious place. Ironically, located across the street from the lot is a famous Civil Rights mural, “Freedom Won’t Wait,” that symbolizes community empowerment and the fight against oppression. This mural represents the strength and unity of the community, which has been overpowered by the uprising of the lot.

Fifteen years have passed and the lot remains the same. This is a prime example of how major corporations, like McDonald’s, are able to triumph over communities because they prefer fiscal gain to the well-being and safety of the people. The residents live with uncertainty because they do not know what is taking place or what can occur because of the lot. The struggle of power over land and security still remains in South Los Angeles and can be seen by this lot within the community.

For More Information
Caldwell, Melissa L. "The McDonaldization of Society." Food, Culture & Society 13.2. Academic OneFile. 2010. Web.
Pulido, Laura, Barraclough, Laura, Cheng, Wendy. A People’s Guide to Los Angeles. University of California Press. 2012. Print.
Robertson, Grant. “Hungry Times, and McDonald's is Lovin' It.” Lexis Nexis. 2009. Web.