REFUGE NO MORE?

Cambodia Town has seen overcrowded housing, dwindling stores, but more art. What’s at stake for the refugee community?

ALSO INSIDE

A growing concern

Will south bay refinery expansion pose greater risk for Long Beach's poor?

Evolving vision

What the landmark’s past says about its future

What is sanctuary?

Immigrant families share their ideal vision

EDITOR’S NOTE

By Michael Lozano

sanc·tu·ar·y noun

Refuge or safety from pursuit, persecution, or other danger.

If you live in the Willmore district like I do, you are seeing more people sleeping on curbs -- literally outside your living room window -- and find that they are often covered by a single blanket.

People tell us that recently the courtroom lines for evictions are 50-people-long.

On top of that, local immigrants tell us that many of their old anxieties have resurfaced since November 2016: fear around police, while driving, and anxiety entering schools and hospitals, and probably the mere thought of what the future can bring.

However, for this edition of VoiceWaves’ youth media newspaper, we hope our stories remind you that, despite the challenges, the future can bring good.

We are bringing you real issues as lived through the eyes of those who continue to build refuge from the city’s social ills. As you’ll read, some have been doing it for decades. Some are just getting started.

The legacy of hip-hop store V.I.P. Records is one of survival. The brand has endured for 40 years and, throughout that time, their music studio provided a safe, creative refuge for Long Beach youth escaping city violence.

You’ll also read how Cambodia Town

EDITORS

Michael Lozano

Crystal Niebla

KHMER TRANSLATION

Phatry Derek Pan

Monysak Sou

KHMER LAYOUT

Saovory Nhel