I Was Born and Raised in Compton (Glendale, West Covina: crime, house)

[antredd]

I was reading a post from someone who was very irritated by the fact that people have been dissing the City of Compton. That poster inspired me to to start my own thread, for those of us who were Born and/or raised in Compton, can give our perspectives on what it was REALLY like to grew up in Compton.

First of all, I was born at Dominquez Valley Hospital right there just south of the 91 fwy before they closed it down in the 1980s. My birth certificate says on it city of birth---COMPTON, and I am very proud to say that I was born and raised in Compton.

When I was growing up in Compton, I went to Bursch Elementary, Tibby Elementary, Davis Junior High, and Compton Senior High School. I was a good student, and not the stereotypical black Compton male who ended up gang banging and doing other crimes.

With that said, papers don't report all of us Compton graduates who have become successful, and are doing positive things.

After I became a teacher, I went back to my city, which I didn't have to, and taught at some of the very schools I attended. My main goal was to let my students see that sucessful people can and do graduate out of Compton and go on to do productive things.

We always hear the negative news that happens in Compton, but nothing positive. So if you were born and/or raised in Compton, I would love to hear your story and what life was like for you there growing up.

[Millie37]

I strongly agree with you. People always bring the negative outcome but very litle of the positive stories. Loved your story!.
Good Luck
Millie (West Covina)

[the one]

i agree. people think compton is all bad. when i have suggested [on this board]that people look into buying property in compton i get blasted.

people dont realize that compton was and continues to be a largely working class city. it has some nice areas. decent housing. but the bad areas and crime get all the publicity.

next time im at my friends house i will take pics of their street, its nice. they would think its in some city like santa monica, burbank or downey.

actually when i visit my aunt by 142nd and central i will take pics. they have a real nice street. people would be amazed. and willowbrook has nice areas too.

the problem is that it is surrounded by bad areas...

[FinnishAmerican]

Originally Posted by antredd

I was reading a post from someone who was very irritated by the fact that people have been dissing the City of Compton. That poster inspired me to to start my own thread, for those of us who were Born and/or raised in Compton, can give our perspectives on what it was REALLY like to grew up in Compton.

First of all, I was born at Dominquez Valley Hospital right there just south of the 91 fwy before they closed it down in the 1980s. My birth certificate says on it city of birth---COMPTON, and I am very proud to say that I was born and raised in Compton.

When I was growing up in Compton, I went to Bursch Elementary, Tibby Elementary, Davis Junior High, and Compton Senior High School. I was a good student, and not the stereotypical black Compton male who ended up gang banging and doing other crimes.

With that said, papers don't report all of us Compton graduates who have become successful, and are doing positive things.

After I became a teacher, I went back to my city, which I didn't have to, and taught at some of the very schools I attended. My main goal was to let my students see that sucessful people can and do graduate out of Compton and go on to do productive things.

We always hear the negative news that happens in Compton, but nothing positive. So if you were born and/or raised in Compton, I would love to hear your story and what life was like for you there growing up.

Thanks man. Nice story, im happy for you.

Btw: I was the poster!

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

I'm glad you posted here. I think a lot of folks do get carried away labeling a lot of areas as "dangerous" or "undesirable". If it's not on the west side of L.A., a lot of people just dismiss the area entirely. I mean - I've even seen comments here that say Glendale is "dangerous".

[antredd]

Originally Posted by the one

i agree. people think compton is all bad. when i have suggested [on this board]that people look into buying property in compton i get blasted.

people dont realize that compton was and continues to be a largely working class city. it has some nice areas. decent housing. but the bad areas and crime get all the publicity.

next time im at my friends house i will take pics of their street, its nice. they would think its in some city like santa monica, burbank or downey.

actually when i visit my aunt by 142nd and central i will take pics. they have a real nice street. people would be amazed. and willowbrook has nice areas too.

the problem is that it is surrounded by bad areas...

Thanks for your reply. You just gave me an idea to visit my old home town and drive around and take pix of the nicest streets, shopping center, and then ask people where were these pix taken, and see what responses I would get. God bless.

[IloveOC]

I, for one, would really like to see pictures of those nice area's. It is so sad for me to see all the area's that have declined so much over the years. And it seems that so many people just don't seem to take care of their properties. My grandparents old house in Lakewood right off of Carson is a good example. Last time I was there I drove by and the beautiful landscaping was gone and replaced with a brick fence all the way around.

[antredd]

Originally Posted by FinnishAmerican

Thanks man. Nice story, im happy for you.

Btw: I was the poster!

Thanks for being the poster.

[ccm123]

Great story and I believe most people appreciate the fact that you gave back to the community which raised you.

[Mr. Opinionated]

Thank you for such an honorable, enlightening post. It certainly is refreshing to read your thoughts about your hometown, as I retain similar sentiment about my Vermont Square neighborhood just south of USC. But then there will always be those who believe the media exaggeration along with a need to look down on other places to feel safe about theirs. Thanks again for setting us right.