90s LA Gentrification: Street Hockey, Live Chickens, & the Guatemalan-American Dream – Yeira (Pt 1)

"Use your voice."In part one of this two-part conversation, we meet Yeira, a 39-year-old Guatemalan-American therapist who grew up navigating the sharp contrasts of 1990s Los Angeles. Her story begins as a carefree kid hanging out on the sands of Redondo Beach, a neighborhood in South Bay Los Angeles, before moving to the tight-knit, resilient streets of Inglewood.Yeira reflects on a childhood where her outspokenness, like telling a teacher to be quiet in the third grade, was met with creative discipline from parents who balanced firm boundaries with a respect for her spirit. We explore the vivid details of a first-generation home where street hockey lived alongside traditional practices like keeping live chickens.As the 1990s saw the South Bay transform and communities in Inglewood face the dual pressures of disinvestment and rising costs, Yeira’s family stood at a crossroads. This episode is a look at the power of place, the strength of a neighborhood block when it becomes a community, and the pivotal choices that set the stage for a massive plot twist in her life.In this episode, we discuss:Navigating the "aerospace capital" of Redondo Beach and the displacement of working families.The reality of the 90s gang era and the sanctuary built by Black and Latino families in Inglewood.Creative discipline: How journaling became a tool for teaching a willful child.The "parallel play" of Southern California suburbs and the importance of cultural anchors.-------------------------------Support the Show This show exists to explore and reflect on underrepresented perspectives and the messy, beautiful ways they interact with our cultures. Join our community of supporters today. Support the Show: https://ko-fi.com/cultureful-------------------------------Watch on YouTube See the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/QPMb_VDKaIQ-------------------------------Connect with Yeira You can connect with Yeira through her organization: https://www.canopyandlightcounseling.org/ -------------------------------Episode CreditsFounding Supporter Shout-outs: Special thanks this week to Teresa Santiago and Chanthy.Host, Producer, & Sound Design: Jess LinAdvising & Production Support: Ruben GnanarubanSupport the show----------Join the Cultureful Neighborhood:🌐 Our Hub: Linktr.ee📩 Host Notes & Reflections: Newsletter Sign-up📺 Watch on YouTube:  YouTube Channel💖 Support the Show: Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi📸 Connect and Comment on Instagram: @thecultureful