Trash was scattered on the uneven road. A car whose rims had long been stolen was parked on a patch of grass that hadn't been cut in a long time. The car's front windows were shattered, and stains of dried blood could be seen on the messy seats.
On both sides were old and rundown apartments. The paint of the upper walls was peeling off, whereas the lower walls were covered in graffiti. Those who didn't know any better might have thought that these were art pieces, but they were actually gang signs. It was to tell the outside world that the place was their territory, and at the same time, it warned rival gangs to stay out.
This was a poor neighborhood, and it was the same as every other poor neighborhood in America. It was chaotic and run down, and violence and crime were common. When it got dark, even the LAPD was not willing to go there. And those so-called cultural facilities distanced themselves from areas like these.
