Life ain't easy in South Central. The Crips appeared in 1969, and the summer of 1972 gave life to the Bloods. Murder, robbery and crack cocaine dominated the 80s. When I was old enough to drive and began going up and down the streets of L.A., my folks said I could explore as much as I wanted. But stay out of trouble, they said. Stay out of South L.A., Hawthorne, Compton, and Inglewood.
Here's the data for hard livin' in South Central: $89 a month for groceries -- that's nearly 4.5x below the national average of $388. And healthcare spending? It's $5 a month -- 25x below the national average. But when it comes to giving, South Central gives 40 percent more than the national average at $144 a month compared to $92. Sure, that money's probably going back into the community in the form of social services, but it's something. It's getting people out of gang life and on to better things.
Former gang member Alfred Lomas founded L.A. Gang Tours, which gives tourists the chance to safely visit the South Central 'hoods to learn about the history of gangs like the Bloods and Crips. The $65 tour ticket helps create jobs for former gang members, and economic growth for an inner city with a violent past.
Here's the data for hard livin' in South Central: $89 a month for groceries -- that's nearly 4.5x below the national average of $388. And healthcare spending? It's $5 a month -- 25x below the national average. But when it comes to giving, South Central gives 40 percent more than the national average at $144 a month compared to $92. Sure, that money's probably going back into the community in the form of social services, but it's something. It's getting people out of gang life and on to better things.
Former gang member Alfred Lomas founded L.A. Gang Tours, which gives tourists the chance to safely visit the South Central 'hoods to learn about the history of gangs like the Bloods and Crips. The $65 tour ticket helps create jobs for former gang members, and economic growth for an inner city with a violent past.
