NATIONAL STORY PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAPHONE / INSP.NGO FROM THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE TO THE COMPTON, CALIFORNIA BY LOUISE BOILEVIN I VISITED COMPTON, CALIFORNIA in February and May of this year, and I plan on going back again. I’ve been a fan of gangster rap and American hood history since childhood, and I love traveling there. It’s eye-opening. It’s one of the parts of the about which people say, “Don’t travel to…” but when I’ve been there, the people in Compton are friendly. They even honk their horns, wave, and say “Hi” to me as I am walking around. I just use the same street smarts that I use here in my own ‘hood, the Downtown Eastside. People in Compton like positive tourists and love that I show support by buying merchandise at their local shop, the Made in Compton Store, which makes the best hoodies and Compton gear. I use the Los Angeles metro train to visit Compton. I enjoyed walking on the main Compton Boulevard and in the Willowbrook area. I admired the original houses and took in the sights. It was great to be around the areas that hold a lot of ’hood history. Since the pandemic and gentrification, plus other political and economic issues, a lot of small businesses are having a hard time and need support — like what I am giving. Instead of going to a big chain store, I buy local, and I love sharing my own personal ‘hood stories from home with the Compton folks who I’ve met on my trips. ■ Courtesy of Megaphone / INSP.ngo PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAPHONE / INSP.NGO 12 DENVER VOICE November 2024
13 Publizr Home