There are markers in life that define us. Sometimes, we realize their meaning years later, and sometimes, immediately. For those living in the Los Angeles basin on January 7, 2025, "the fires" will be one of them. As evidenced by the millions of donated goods and thousands of mobilized volunteers, this marker has been felt immediately.
Los Angeles is in pain and transformation. If you were lucky enough not to be directly affected by the fires, you likely know at least one person, a family member, a childhood friend, or a colleague, whose lives have changed beyond our ability to grasp. "In our town there’s a trail that connects us all," wrote Nell Cross Beckerman. She was talking about the 10-mile L.A. County Park to Playa trail, but it could be the smoke from the fires that floated across our skies. From our mountains to our oceans and all the neighborhoods stretched between, Angelenos of all kinds are seeing the need and taking action.
We are heading into a future few of us have imagined and one that will look different from our past. Decades of communities are upended, and with them, many sites have been collectively shared by Angelenos as places of respite and restoration. Places we’d excitedly swap stories about and laugh as we’re doing it, like a favorite hiking spot, a beach adventure, or a special meal. Some views will never be the same. Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz reminds us of the power of unconditional kindness. As a young boy runs through L.A.’s streets in search of his favorite paletero, he passes neighborhood spots like the tamalero, Korean BBQ, and a bike shop. Their solid relationships are illustrated in bold color. As the boy finally catches up with Paletero Jose, he is empty handed, realizing he dropped his money along the way. Right on time, the community comes together to shower him—and each other—with generosity.
We pride ourselves on being a town of dreamers, and transforming is something Los Angeles is familiar with and capable of. We can assure each other with the care we bestow upon one another and ourselves. Writing about legendary L.A. architect Paul R. Williams, Andrea J. Loney said, "fate takes a curve and love flows in." Of course, she was not talking about citywide natural disasters but more personal ones that Williams faced as a young boy after the loss of both parents. Many people doubted Williams’ dreams because of the color of his skin, and his challenges seemed "too heavy to move, too tall to climb, and too big to ignore." He faced those challenges with the love and support of those who believed in him. He made his dreams come true. The challenge now is to commit to our dreams and support each other. The effects of our compassion can linger for a good, long time because, as seen in so many stories, love is transformational, and community is invaluable.
Embrace Stories About Community by Los Angeles Authors
Books About Natural Disaster and Resilience
