In the 1930's and 40's many African Americans moved into towns in the westside of Los Angeles to work in the oil fields located in Marina Del Rey. Sub communities of Venice and Santa Monica such as Oakwood and the Santa Monica Pico Neighborhood were booming with an African American presence. As the construction of the ten freeway led into Santa Monica and the creation of the 405 freeway, which was built in 1964, passed through Los Angeles, it brought with it money and more people looking to change the face of these beachside communities. As for Oakwood, the abolishment of the oil fields made finding work for the people of these communities an endless struggle. As more money and more expensive establishments developed on the westside, the people of these communities were getting pushed out, mostly having to move to communities in South Central and even areas more east of Downtown. Rent prices have skyrocketed since the 50's and 60's which has made it hard for original families established in the westside to continue to living there.
Currently rent prices have gotten even higher, and with more people renting out their living spaces using Airbnb, it makes areas less communal and more touristy. Rarely any families living in Oakwood and in the Santa Monica Pico Neighborhood in the 50's, 60's, and 70's still live there. Many of my friends that skate at the Venice Skatepark have families that used to live in Venice but now reside in areas like Crenshaw and Inglewood. Other establishments located on strips in Venice, such as Abbot Kinney and properties owned by Google and Snapchat have also led to the gentrification of the Venice community. These implications into the Westside of Los Angeles has further separated communities and has only made living conditions more expensive. The only alternative for many is to move out and to let the yuppies of Silicon Valley take over.
Marina Del Rey 1931
Marina Del Rey Now
- Joseph Duerr
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