South Los Angeles has a deep history of culture, jazz, and, unfortunately, inequality. Because of racially-biased real estate practices, the development of the community has been severely impacted. Generational wealth has been stifled, environmental and community development has been second-class in comparison to more affluent communities, and, as a primarily immigrant community, a palpable fear exists. However, there is a lot of beauty to the community. The people still live with dignity and respect for themselves and their cultures.

Snapshots of South Central collects the creative writing and photography of the Teaching Artist Team and workshop participants created through the workshop series provided by DSTL Arts at both the Vernon Branch Library and Junipero Serra Branch Library in South LA. This book is a practice in witnessing, and hopes to be a catalyst for conversation and change. This book hopes to illustrate for others what it’s like to live in South LA.