The Chavo Tour II
Beyond the Black Gates
In our last episode, we toured Lincoln Heights and enjoyed the sense of spatial freedom this part of town gives us. We rejoiced in the undeveloped hills, the few bits of green land that surround us, and the sense of "open-ness" that is part of this area. But we also warned against the siege mentality that comes from having so many fences and gates surrounding the places in which we live. Those "protection bars" are starting to dominate our daily lives, so much so that that we have all come to accept the siege mentality they impose. What is that? The state of mind that tells us we are under attack and must be wary of the unknown, usually meaning some other equally terrified person. The rapid enclosure of public and private space is threatening Lincoln Heights with the danger of becoming a prison, a psycho-geographic mental cage which will come to keep us all indoors, too nervous to talk to one another. This also limits our thoughts to the (il)logic of property which insists all goods must be guarded and properly circulated within the confines of "commodity exchange". In this watching of the stalls, will we also end up disfiguring our own lives based on the "needs" of these goods? And will we therefore end up becoming nothing more than another product, safely isolated in our homes, far away from those with whom we would have otherwise dared to share a moment?
It's time we start recognizing these barriers which sway us towards alienation, it's time we go Beyond the Black Gates...
We have to start with the original culprits, the
innovative vanguard of social control, (otherwise known as Vons (previously
mentioned Here)) since they did it right after the 1992 riots and are therefore
the most honest proponents and beneficiaries of siege mentality...
Big business and small one alike practice the same agenda, note this sweatshop and what they try to confine...
Is it really necessary to cage in a palm tree? Or do they just want us to know that it belongs to them? Even worse are these two...
...poor lions, meant to protect those within but now just captive clay pets. Something is wrong when you begin to bolt down your decorations, and I don't think I need to mention the imposing black gates. Let's get away from this nightmare, let's run to the playground where we'll surely be met by...
...fences? I had originally gone to Lincoln Park to take pictures of the cool Aztec themed playground but found this instead, the attractions closed off for no apparent reason. Was it some new bureaucratic fear of lawsuits? The kids wisely paid no attention to this unwelcome curtailing of their fun.
It matters little if the bars are of a different color...
They still have the same effect. A lovely relaxing porch is now another prison. Enclosure is everywhere, from the local restaurants...
..to private homes...
..apartments..
..and almost every aspect of daily life. This assault is becoming so thorough that it's becoming literally absurd. Bars for vending machines?
How does this make sense, bars on the top floor while the windows downstairs are "unprotected"? The Burglar Handbook says "Enter through the path of least resistance." Por Favor...
And finally, this last one says it all. I've always wondered why the Lincoln Park on Daly (the little one) was fully fenced in. I've walked by it many times but I don't think I've ever set foot on this patch of grass, why bother going all the way around to be fenced in anyways? And they just seem to be mocking us with their sign "Lincoln Heights Park Welcomes You..." That's like telling someone they can crash at your place but that you won't open the door!
Does it have to be this way? EL CHAVO! sez NO!