Eastside Cafe

5469 N. Huntington Drive, El Sereno CA 90032

            What began as a mobile cafe, spreading its message across Latin@ Los Angeles, settled in El Sereno in 2003. The Eastside Cafe is not a coffee house, but a community learning space. It offers a variety of free classes, such as English and art lessons for children. The space holds meetings for various groups, like the Global Women’s Strike and the Health Collective. The Cafe is the latest project of the Union de Comunidades.

 

The Eastside Cafe came to existence as a response to two world changing events: the 1992 L.A Riots and the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. After the L.A Riots the Union de Comunidades realized the state was unreliable and the people had to bring permanent justice and peace to their communities, and that this would only be possible through the mobilizing and unity of a numerous population. Two years later, NAFTA was signed. The Zapatistas understood this would benefit very few and bring poverty to the majority. They began creating autonomous communities, politically and economically independent from the state. This inspired the Eastside Cafe to begin formulating ways the community of Eastside Los Angeles could develop a self sustaining education, economy, and awaken its political consciousness, in order to flourish as a community. They use five tools in their road to independence: rooting, networking, community scholar, community vendor, community leader, and community artists.

“Rooting” is deeply connecting to one’s roots in order to stand strong against the exploitation of the state and capital. Networking means connecting and building interdependent communities. A community scholar utilizes the skills acquired in higher education in order to critically analyze how to contribute positively to their community. Although the hegemonic idea of being successful is to work a corporate job, the community scholar applies their knowledge to solving the struggles their communities face. A community vendor is a small business owner. The Eastside Cafe promotes buying locally instead of buying from corporations, which would only support the capitalist system. The Community Artist uses their artwork to empower the community and record historical moments. A community leader believes in the community, does not abuse power, and listens to the needs of the people. 

Behind the Eastside Cafe, there are 8 abandoned bungalows the Cafe hoped to acquire to have more space for a cultural center. For the three years they have been working on this project, they have received grants and enormous community support. They plan to have a computer room, meeting rooms, a production space for pottery and sewing, and an area of yoga, dance, and theater classes. Their motto “ Para todos, todo y para nosotros nada”, “Everything for Everyone and nothing for us” reflects the beliefs of the Eastside Cafe and its commitment to the community.

For more information:

Eastside Cafe website: http://eastsidecafe.org

Hayes-Bautista, David E., Maria. O. Schink, Werner. “Latinos and the 1992 Los Angles Riots: A Behavioral Science Perspective.” Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 15 (1993): 427-448. 

Stahler-Sholk, Richard. “The Zapatista Social Movement: Innovation and Sustainability.” Alternatives 35.3 (2010): 269-290.

Wallerstein, Immanuel. “The Commodification of Everything” Historical Capitalism

(Verso, 1983)