Straight Outta Boring Compton Is An Icon Of The West Coast ✓ Solved

Straight Outta Boring Compton Is an Icon of the West Coast Ghetto

Don’t believe all the hype around Straight Outta Compton. Reading about the new hit movie about the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A., you might think the biggest problem facing Compton is its unfair and outdated reputation for the violence and gangs that were the subjects of N.W.A.’s music. But today, Compton may have a bigger problem: the reality that it’s boring. The Compton depicted in the film, which topped the box office in its debut week, is scarily entertaining—a mix of menace and schemes and murder.

In this, it fits decades of screen and studio portraits of the city—“bodies on top of bodies, IV’s on top of IV’s,” as the Compton hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar has rapped. And the people? As the late Eazy-E put it in the title track of the 1988 album from which the film takes its name, “Straight Outta Compton is a brother that’ll smother your mother and make your sister think I love her.” Give credit to these artists. Turning the small city of Compton—with just 10 square miles and fewer than 100,000 people—into a huge national brand and icon of the West Coast ghetto was one of the great marketing tricks of our age. But it’s a profoundly peculiar success.

For all the artists name-checking Compton in studio and on screen, Compton itself remains almost entirely invisible in its own mythology. Today, Compton may have a bigger problem: the reality that it’s boring. The new film, typical of the Compton genre, is not really about Compton but instead about brilliant and ambitious music-makers who have left the city to make it big. Compton is invoked as the tough place that shaped them, but in the brief scenes set in the city itself, it doesn’t look that tough. There’s a conversation on the pleasant mall outside City Hall, shots of kids riding motorbikes down a street with nice lawns and houses, and a sun-splashed shot of a cemetery.

These are merely brief glimpses of the truth: The real Compton does not fit the ghetto cliché—and would surprise rap fans the world over if they were to visit. Yes, Compton is poor and has serious educational challenges (fewer than 60 percent of adults 25 and older are high school graduates). But it’s really a working-class suburb, defined by its single-family homes and neighborhoods like Richland Farms, with lots big enough for elaborate gardens. Only 19 percent of its housing is multi-unit, compared to 31 percent across California. And Compton’s south side, along the 91 Freeway, is a thriving industrial and business district that includes the corporate offices of leading grocer Ralphs.

While musicians have portrayed Compton as an upstart, it is actually one of Southern California’s oldest cities. Griffith Dickenson Compton and other pioneers came there in 1867 from Stockton. Throughout its history, Compton has served as a hub—its nickname is “the Hub City”—connecting the bigger municipalities of Los Angeles to the north and Long Beach to the south. Its residents included people who worked in the oil, aviation, and manufacturing industries that propelled Southern California forward in the 20th century. And the city is integral to the histories of generations of rising Southern California families—first poor whites, then African Americans in the post-war era, and more recently Latinos—who made their first homes there. But Compton’s rich history has been obscured by decades of media reports on crime and gangs, racial and ethnic conflicts, and public official corruption.

As a young Los Angeles Times reporter covering Compton early in the previous decade, I was one of those reductionist media sinners, focusing almost exclusively on corruption and mismanagement in the city, community college, and schools. People in Compton often argued, with good reason, that my focus was unfair, since Southern California has no shortage of cities with similar problems. Then as now, Compton’s leading citizens have been eager to correct the many misimpressions of the city. Today, with the new film in theaters, they are making the case again on social media and via a website. The good news is the facts are on their side.

Surveys show Compton is a good place to start a business (in part because of city assistance). It has a smart and strategic mayor and has seen sharp declines in murder and violent crime. Compton must stop running from its gangster rap reputation and find creative ways to exploit it. But, outside the city, the old impressions of Compton have held, and that’s not entirely the fault of reporters or rappers. Civic leaders talk so much about the negatives they’ve mitigated that they haven’t advanced a compelling counter-narrative of what makes Compton special.

Recently, they’ve been touting the replacement of the local swap meet with a Wal-Mart, and the development of the Gateway Towne Center, a modern mall with all the same chains you find just about anywhere. That desire for normalcy is understandable in a city too long associated with exceptional social ills. But it’s also boring. Instead, Compton needs attractions and places that are entirely its own—and will draw not only its own residents but also people from around California. This ought to start with redesigning its shabby major thoroughfares to make them more inviting to pedestrians, bikers, and patrons of the local small businesses.

The city could also take down decayed buildings that obscure the attractive neighborhoods and thriving parks just off the main drags. Compton could turn problems into advantages. The media often dwell on conflict between blacks and Latinos, so why not push back by promoting cultural fusions that draw from African American and Latin American traditions? Compton’s reputation gives it relatively cheap housing in an expensive region; why not exploit that affordability advantage to develop more housing, particularly around transit centers?

With L.A. County’s public transit system undergoing a major transformation, Compton is poised to re-establish itself as a Southern California hub. There’s also the idea to lobby Southern California universities to relocate existing transportation research institutes and faculty to Compton. Compton must stop running from its gangster rap reputation and find creative ways to exploit it.

Furthermore, entertainers who profited from the stories of Compton should devote their names and dollars to creating destinations in the city. Dr. Dre, who was both a member of N.W.A. and a producer of the film, already has committed to donating royalties from the new album to establish a performing arts and entertainment venue, with an attached youth center. The city has long desperately needed just such a space.

Finally, additional related possibilities could include a professionally curated museum of hip hop or a top-notch school of the arts. It’s time to build a Compton as interesting as its reputation.

Paper For Above Instructions

Compton has long been associated with its rich musical heritage, especially due to its pivotal role in the hip hop scene of the late 20th century. However, the reality of Compton extends far beyond the narratives told through music and film. The city has a plethora of stories, histories, and untapped potentials that deserve recognition. To shift perceptions of Compton from the "Gangsta" image perpetuated by media, a multi-faceted approach that includes community engagement, infrastructure development, and cultural celebration is essential.

Firstly, community engagement serves as a foundation in reshaping the narrative around Compton. Residents can actively participate in local governance and community organizations that work towards promoting vitality and connectivity within the city. By uniting voices that have experienced the diversity and daily life of Compton, a comprehensive story can emerge that celebrates resilience and community spirit. Initiatives that encourage public involvement can help highlight the wonderful narratives of local businesses, historical landmarks, and cultural events.

Secondly, infrastructure development is crucial in enhancing the physical attributes of Compton, making the city more attractive to potential residents and tourists. Investing in pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares can encourage foot traffic, improving the local economy and making the city feel more vibrant. Specifically, converting major streets to support local businesses and public spaces for gathering can foster a sense of community pride and ownership. This presents an opportunity to reinvent Compton—a city known for its historical narratives into a hub of culture and activity where people feel safe and welcome.

The third and equally important strategy revolves around cultural celebration. Compton should take pride in its rich heritage through festivals, local art shows, and community events that showcase the talents of its residents. This is an excellent opportunity to emphasize its diversity, and highlight the contributions made by artists and community leaders. Furthermore, incorporating African American and Latino traditions can create a cohesive environment where cultural fusions lead to broader acceptance and representation. By producing events that celebrate local talent, Compton can attract outside visitors eager to participate in its redefined identity.

As Dr. Dre proposes to donate royalties to develop an entertainment venue, this type of investment should be seen as a catalyst for future developments. The construction of a museum dedicated to hip hop or a dedicated arts school could serve as landmarks that signify a new era of Compton. Such institutions could become educational spaces where the city's history is taught alongside the greatness of its artistic contributions, revamping Compton's image into a destination for art enthusiasts, scholars, and tourists alike.

Moreover, establishing partnerships with local universities, businesses, and arts organizations could provide resources to further develop these ideas. Collaborations can serve to establish internships, workshops, and educational programs that provide youth with educational opportunities and enrich community engagement with the arts. Such initiatives can grow networks that empower residents through knowledge and experience while simultaneously cultivating the next generation of artists, leaders, and change-makers.

Additionally, promoting the affordability of housing within Compton can attract newcomers and families looking for a supportive community without the explosive costs associated with cities like Los Angeles. As more businesses emerge and infrastructure improves, the potential for Compton to become a thriving community grows exponentially. New residents can partner with longtime locals to cultivate ecological projects that revive gardens, parks, and public spaces while upholding the city's cultural significance.

The transformation of Compton requires collective efforts. City officials must take proactive stances in marketing Compton as an attractive destination not just for housing but for creatives, scholars, and families. Likewise, residents should play a pivotal role in shaping the marketing narrative by portraying their own experiences and introducing individuals to the rich, textured history of the city.

Ultimately, it's crucial to recognize that the road to revitalizing Compton will involve both embracing its past as a significant cultural hub while daring to innovate toward a brighter future. This entails moving beyond the limitations of a purely violent legacy, shifting perceptions from "Straight Outta Compton" to a multi-dimensional narrative filled with hope, creativity, and resilience.

References

• Mathews, J. (2015). Straight Outta Boring. Zócalo Public Square.
• Lamar, K. (2017). DAMN. Top Dawg Entertainment.
• Eazy-E. (1988). Straight Outta Compton. Ruthless Records.
• Gebhard, D., & Winter, R. (1985). An Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles. Gibbs Smith.
• Southern California Association of Governments. (2021). Growth Forecast Report.
• California Department of Education. (2020). Educational Attainment Report.
• Compton City Mayor’s Office. (2021). Business Development Strategies.
• Dre, D. (2015). Compton. Aftermath Entertainment.
• California Arts Council. (2020). Arts Engagement Report.
• Los Angeles County Metro. (2021). Transit Development Plan.