The most notorious section of Los Angeles, "South-Central,"
was renamed "South Los Angeles" last week to promote a change of attitude
and perception
L.A. City Council members voted unanimously to
replace the term "South-Central Los Angeles" with "South Los
Angeles" on all city signs and documents, a move that received mixed reviews
throughout the city.
Television stations and newspaper publications
in the area will also eliminate the use of "South-Central" in all
news reports.
"Changing the name doesn’t change the circumstances,"
Councilman Nate Holden told The Los Angeles Times. "Without broader efforts
to improve schools and increase jobs in the area, "South Los Angeles"
will eventually evoke the same connotation." Nevertheless, he voted for
the measure.
The area that housed Hip-Hop acts such as NWA,
Ice-T, Compton’s Most Wanted and D.J. Quik has often drawn controversy for "gangsta
rap," riots, gang violence, drug infestation, and poverty.
"South-Central" served as the neutral
point for West Coast Hip-Hop during its renaissance years, and it still serves
as a mainstay for many up and coming local acts.
While most see this name change as purely cosmetic,
some hope this will be the beginning of a tireless effort to revitalize the
community.
