Is this real life?

When looking at advertisements, I came across this billboard and it is quite disturbing. It was actually originally posted on another person's blog (link below) and they also commented on the absurd nature of the ad. The ad quotes "Who would you RATher see live?" It is centered on animal research, using the false dichotomy fallacy. The ad gives the viewer two choices, vote for animal research or see children die. This billboard doesn't take into account the fact that there are many other technologies other than animal testing to do research, such as testing replicated cells. Here is the ad:

source: http://agreenlight.tumblr.com/post/4413865132/av-animal-testing-or-killing-children-fun-with-false

I personally am shocked that anyone would publicize this, but I guess my opinion wasn't really solicited...

Is Olvera Street a Necessary Public Space?

Los Angeles is a place of diversity, known to many as the cultural hub of the United States. It is often nicknamed a "melting pot," or to some, a "boiling pot," but to all is a place of mixed cultures and ideas, as well as traffic and troubles. Because of the cacophony of the big city, Los Angeles is desperate for good public spaces, places in which celebrations are held, social and economic exchanges take place, friends run into each other, and cultures mix. According to the Project for Public Spaces, there are four qualities that make a public space successful: it must be "accessible, people [must be] engaged in activities there, the space is comfortable and has a good image, and finally, it is a sociable place--one where people meet each other and take people when they come to visit."

While Olvera Street started out lacking all four of these qualities, it has slowly evolved and is considerably friendlier towards the community than ever before. This does not mean, however, that Olvera Street today meets the qualifications to be named a successful public space. It lacks accessibility due to its narrow pathways and crowded spaces, fails to provide entertainment other than shopping and eating, does not have much comfortable space for a person to sit and relax, and appears to be closed in and confining. The fact is that Los Angeles can survive without Olvera Street--it is not a public space, it is a tourist attraction. People can come and see the artificial "culture" of the early Mexican settlers, eat commercialized snacks, and buy wholesale trinkets that are often stamped with "Made in China" on the back.

However, this is not to say that it cannot become a public space. Since it was created, Olvera street has evolved into more of a public space than ever before. The street needs to be more responsive to the Los Angeles public, and must provide them with a reassertion of community control. With a little revamping, Los Angeles could find that Olvera Street could be a hub for many people to meet and convene, focus on issues, or celebrate with a night out.

My Trip to Olvera Street!!!

Olvera Street started out as a small alley named Wine Street, and was later renamed after the first Los Angeles County Judge, Agustin Olvera. Many historical buildings surround the plaza, including the Avila Adobe, built around 1818 by former mayor Francisco Avila, and the Pelanconi House, the oldest brick house in the city, built in 1855. In 1926, when Christine Sterling first saw this historical part of the city, she decided to create a campaign to revive the original culture that was missing after the Anglos displaced many of the original Mexican settlers. With the help of LA Times Moguls such as Chandler and Otis, who hoped to attract more residents to the area, Sterling decided to create a street with a rich Mexican marketplace in order to show off the heritage.

When I arrived at Olvera Street, there was a bustling festival adjacent to the alleyway. It was centered on a latino band singing and chanting "Viva Mexico!"

We turned the corner to enter Olvera street, and instantly the Mexican marketplace appeared, along with many other people, most of whom seemed like tourists. Each of the colorful stands were covered in trinkets and Mexican souvenirs, and along the outside there were mostly authentic Mexican restaurants, complete with mariachi bands.

While a tourist would most likely think that the street is a complete representation of the Los Angeles history and culture, Otis and Chandler helped Sterling create the street as part of a marketing scheme, and therefore it does not accurately portray the Mexican heritage of the early settlers. Today, it serves primarily as a tourist attraction--most of the "authentic" Mexican trinkets have a "MADE IN CHINA" sticker on the back of them.

It does, however, attract people to the area, serving its purpose and representing the interest of the public. The street is open to all, and therefore does not exclude anyone, allowing it to be a very diverse area. I spotted students from USC, an Asian family, a Latino family, and a Latin America family, all of whom seemed to come from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

And of course...I had to have some yummy Mexican food!!!

Overall, Olvera Street is a fun and interesting place, full of rich culture, vibrant shopping, good food, and great people-watching opportunities. I had a blast! :)

New Insights from "She'd Be California"

While the song "She'd Be California" does demonstrate the materialistic nature of the California Dream through ideals such as luxury, free spirit, material beauty, the hollywood dream of success, and a carefree party life, it also contradicts the idea that the dream is perfect. The girl in the song appears to be perfect in every way, yet she does not leave her small-town home and travel to California. "She'd Be California" reinforces the image of a utopian society found within the Golden State while simultaneously highlighting the superficiality of the California Dream and superseding it with the all-American small-town values found in the South and Midwest. Rascal Flatts is trying to say that she is better than a California girl because she remains rooted in her core values and beliefs.

This is not the way that I first viewed the song; I had misinterpreted the meaning. I can relate to the down-to-earth feel of the south, and therefore have been provided with more insight towards the meaning of the song. She can be a California girl in a small town and still remain perfect--California is not the cure-all utopia, and that is what Rascal Flatts is hoping to demonstrate. This creates almost a regional competition between the "perfect" California and the "fun" South or Midwest...Who will win?


When searching for songs to write about, I came across this country song (rooted in the South) that also shares these same sentiments. Take a peek!