I Am From Los Angeles, Motherfucker

Los Angeles is a microcosm of the United States. If L.A. falls, the country falls. –Ice T

One of my oldest friends is coming to stay in our apartment next month. I’ve known Stephen since I was in seventh grade. By the time I met him I had already attended six different schools in Los Angeles County. When I got to High School I would eventually end up attending three of those before graduating.

I am from LA.

The question that usually follows when I say that is, “oh yeah, what part?”

That question isn’t concerned with what part of LA I am actually from so much as it’s a challenge - “are you really from LA?”

I dunno man, my birth certificate says Los Angeles, the first home I remember was a duplex abutted against the Beth Israel Cemetery in East LA where I used to go play hide and seek as a kid.

In my time I’ve lived everywhere from East LA, to summers in Boyle Heights, to time spent living on Fletcher Drive (twice), to City Terrace, to the San Gabriel Valley, before finally moving out to j…