OOTD: Crenshaw

I didn't have any intention of doing an OOTD post with this outfit, I was taking my daughter school shopping on Sunday but I'll let the story will tell you the rest.




On occasion, especially Sundays I like to ride down Crenshaw. From 139th to the 30’s … 100 blocks of historic cultivation.  The sun shining, windows down, playing all my favorite Indie West Coast rap like Dom Kennedy, Nipsey Hussle, ScHoolboy Q…that real LA stuff.  I take my daughter, and let her feel the culture, see the hustle and feel these streets.  Church going families hitting up their favorite spot after service, Low-Low’s or the “Candies, Flakes & Pearls” out shined up, Jamaicans and their incense, Muslims selling bean pies, and bootleggers on the corners trying to get it.  Any kind of store you need, it’s on the Shaw. The antiquity houses aren’t all cookie cutter type, they have reputation, drip courage, they mirror survival having seen the 92 riots, the birth of gang banging, and the raise of poverty. Some may think that I’m looking at it thru rose colored lenses, but to truth is what Val Young had us singing wasn’t fiction.


I stopped on 50th & Crenshaw to show my daughter the famous murals or “The Wall” that represent African American progress. I’ve seen the paintings change thru the years but the message is still clear. Especially since, at one point in history covenants on property deeds barred African Americans and Asian Americans  from owning real estate in Crenshaw district.  Leimert Park  later became one of the largest AA populated cities in the United States. Because of its large black community, the name "Crenshaw" has become associated with LA culture, and the area has often been referred to as the Harlem of the west coast.


You may recognize “The Wall” from the movie Boyz In The Hood or are just a native LA’n & cruised the Shaw at one point in time.  I couldn’t help but reminisce when I was 22 years old and me and my girls would wait up until 2 AM just so we could get our spot on the one-way.  We’d hang out until the police told us to leave, it was literally a party in the street, our only worry was getting jacked up, messed up by the rubber flakes flying as tires burned the asphalt and trying to find an open bathroom at 2 am.  Those were the days. Years later and generations are still paying homage to Crenshaw.

                 


Top & Shorts -Old TJMAXX
Sandals - Madden Girl
Hayden Harnett Cuff
Earrings - Aldo
Valentino Shades
Handbag - Small Rivington by Botkier

I hope everyone had a great weekend!
xx - Natalie



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