Social class divisions have always played a prominent role in America.

to promoting long-term healing. In the following pages I will discuss efforts that need to be taken to improve the lifestyles of Exposition Park youth. Exposition Park did not always hold the same menace that it does today. In December of 1910, several of the community's elite established a cultural center, known as the Museum of History, Science and Art, in the then agriculturally focused Los Angeles. Now known as the Natural History Museum this institution is world renowned for its collection of historical and natural objects. The California Science Center, which opened Saturday, February 7, also provides a valuable educational outlet for the Greater Los Angeles Community. The African-American Museum of Art provides modern works of art to the community's Black residents as well as the rest of the Los Angeles area. The people who benefit most from the opportunities available in Exposition Park are people who do not live there, i.e. middle income individuals. In order to aid the community's youth Expo Park institutions of learning (i.e. USC, the museums) need to encourage participation from those within the community. Said Mark Wilson of the Youth Empowerment Project when referring to community kids visiting the cultural venues of Exposition Park, "When they go in there they're not welcome." As a result many young people never benefit from the abundance of knowledge existent in the area, being either unaware or unconcerned about the opportunities available to them. "This is a place where you work. I mean .you wouldn't actually live here." This statement made by a college student who works in the park but lives elsewhere, reflects the way many people feel about the community of Exposition Park. Another Exposition Park worker, whose fiance goes to USC, decided to travels three hours on the 5 and 101 freeways to get to work rather than live in the area; she says, ".this area is way too dangerous." How does this stigma affect young people that live in the Exposition Park community? In order to motivate the youth of this community to take responsibility for their own lives and that of their community, efforts must be taken to encourage viable options to combat a legacy of crime and degradation. They must be taught to take pride in their community. This cannot be accomplished until they are able to take pride in themselves, hope for their futures, and an economic stake in the place where they live. "I had an idea that all of our policies be rooted in three little words- opportunity, responsibility, and community." states President Clinton during a recent interview ( MacNeil/Lehrer. http://yahoo.com). If one adds education to this formula, one discovers the tools necessary to improve the lives of Exposition park youth. Through education one finds the opportunity to assume responsibility for one's community. Therefore, efforts should be taken to improve the education system as well as to change the way many students view school. Attention must be paid to the kind of policies implemented and exactly how they will affect all young people. I will now discuss changes that have been made to the education system and changes that need to be made in order to outline curriculum and teaching methods which best prepares youth for the work force. The key is to motivate students, to make them care about school. The students see only endless rules, a prescribed curriculum, and the pedagogy of poverty.Every school policy and instructional decision that is arrived at without involving students.spreads the perception that principals and teachers, rather than students, are the school constituency that must be held accountable for learning." (Phi Delta Kappan v78 n7 p499). Thus far, this paper has discussed the social and economic environment of Exposition Park. However, there exists a direct correlation between politics and social conditions. The lack of resources in this community, a result of government enacted policies, stem from a lack of funds spent on education and job creation. Proposition 13 and Proposition 209 will be used to represent the long and short- term effects of government implemented policies on the social well being of the Exposition Park community. Proposition 13 was enacted in June of 1978, by a 65% majority, and reduced local property tax revenues by approximately $6.1 billion. (California Budget Project). While homeowners benefited through tax reductions, the social health of the state of California was adversely affected. ".Proposition 13 changed how public services are financed and administered at all levels of government in California," says the California Budget Project. The revenue lost from property taxes forced the state to assume a larger portion of the costs for public services like education. However, after the prosperity of the 80s ended, state lawmakers gave the responsibility of the aforementioned costs back to local government, causing fiscal crisis for many Los Angeles communities. The results, overcrowded classrooms and a lack of resource materials, have caused California's public education system to plummet to number 39 in national rank (1996 Almanac). The increases in gang violence and teen pregnancy are a direct result of the government's implementing policies that neglect needed services like quality public education. The passage of Proposition 209 is making people feel like they are not wanted while at the same time providing an atmosphere where racist individuals can come out and exclude others," says Professor Joanne Cornwell, of California State University at Northridge. The law recently passed by California voters will in essence abolish affirmative action throughout the state. Supporters of the law state that it will end the inequality of affirmative action and allow citizens to gain advances in academia and the workplace through merit, not because they have the right skin color. Opponents of the law like Professor Cornwell, believe Proposition 209 is ".deceptive, unjust, racist, sexist.." African-Americans admitted to the University of California Berkeley, Boalt School of Law dropped 77% last year, from 77 in 1996 to 18 in 1997. (Black Enterprise Magazine. http://researcher.sirs.com). This statistic reflects a sharp decline in Black admissions as a result of the recently passed Proposition 209, which ended affirmative action for the entire University of California system. Only one of the 18 students accepted, Eric Brooks, entered the 1997 class of the Boalt School of Law. Says Black Enterprise, "Affirmative Action supporters view Proposition 209 as nothing short of the first step toward annihilating the black middle class." Why are black students shying away form the renowned state school? How does this affect the young people of Exposition Park and other inner- city communities? Says President Clinton in a interview concerning race relation in America, ".how are we going to make it more possible to live together, learn together and serve together at the same level of excellence.I think everybody should be concerned about discrimination where it still exists, and it does." The only realistic approach to confronting the problem of race prejudice so deeply embedded in the underbelly of the American people is to demand that all citizens receive the same opportunity to strive for a brighter future. Citizens who care to end discrimination must demand change. Discrimination still exists in America. Affirmative Action closed gave minorities and women a chance to compete. Myra (Note: the name is fictional) a Latina senior at UCLA remembers a confrontation with a professor that told her to leave a hall she had rightful access to, "I guess she didn't like accepting that I go here, too." What are we telling our young people by these actions? 1) That minorities are not deserving of opportunities for education attainment and can only be accepted to top universities with the aid of academic charity and 2) Society at large is not interested in giving minority youth an equal opportunity to pursue success. Either way this is a lose-lose situation. This can do nothing but increase the violence that pervades the inner cities. The implications of these insights range beyond Exposition Park. California's young people are not as interested in education as they should be. Only 64% of the Golden State's students graduated from high school in 1994-95 (1996 Almanac). Many jobs paying above minimum wage require skills gained at a trade school if not a four-year college. ".being proficient in drawing on the resources of language, typographic devices, and images.we rely more heavily on technology for information sharing, communication, and learning." (Educational Leadership). Please see Graph 1. Graph 1 Earnings by Highsest Degree Earned: Across the United States. Non-High School Graduate$14,013 High School Graduate$21,431 Asoociates Degree $27,780 Bachelors Degree $36,980 To say the least, efforts should be taken to ensure economically deprived youth as well as all young people, fully realize the necessity of a higher education in today's information based economy. California voters most likely had little inkling of the long-term affects of Proposition 13. Citizens must consider the long range affects of Proposition 209 if they truly desire equality and not just the end of a system no longer in favor. The following programs are examples of what our young people need to succeed. Among efforts taken to improve the lives of Expo Park youth includes the Youth Empowerment Project. This organization is one of five under the supervision of the Martin Luther King Legacy Association. The goal of the YEP, to empower young people to take initiative, proves a steeping stone to community strengthening. The center targets so-called at- risk youth, those in danger of having a crime committed to them or committing a crime themselves. The program provides training, employment opportunities, and recreational activities for young people. The Math, Science Technology Magnet High School requires all students to complete A-F requirements before receiving their diplomas. The A-F requirements includes the following: A) 2 years of History/Social Science B) Four years of English C) Three years of math, four years recommended D) Two years of a lab science, three years recommended E) Two years of a Foreign Language, three years recommended and F) Two years of College Preparation classes. The classes averaging twenty students allow students to receive one on one attention. This is what all students need to compete in today's job industry. L.A 's secondary schools need to give students the tools they need to compete. Says, Marjorie Kemp, Director of matriculation at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, "They are not being properly prepared in high school." There is a high rate of educated illiterate in America today. The Exposition Park community needs to take the initiative in making sure that all young people succeed. Much of the business space in the area boasts repeat businesses. On the corner of Vermont Ave. and 29th Street there are four hair/nail salons. Although competition among businesses must be encouraged institutions such as these do not offer many employment opportunities for inner-city residents. Industries that offer on the job training that focuses on the skills needed in today's information economy need to be encouraged. The next and final section of this paper will delve into a discussion of what the future holds for the Exposition Park community. "The common perception is that the inner-city is filled with non-skilled people who would rather collect welfare than hold a job.That the only entrepreneurs are drug dealers and gun sellers.And that the schools are havens of hopelessness." (BankAmerica) If changes are not made this may be the case for Exposition Park as we approach the new millenium. However, by taking the initiative an encouraging our young people to take control over their lives we can build a better Los Angeles. "What I predict is over the next five years students will be more prepared.", says Assistant Principal Schenider. Using the A-F curriculum as a guideline and teaching students in a way that makes them want to go to school will make this assertion a reality for all of Expo Park's youth. The future looks bright with a 14% increase in job availability by the year 2000(Occupational Outlook Handbook). Service producing as opposed to product producing will account for many of the new jobs in the next ten years. The jobs in the manufacturing will decrease 8%, while nearly 16.2 of the 16,8 million wage and salary jobs will be in the service industry. Jobs that require a bachelor's degree will average 23% growth, and be among the higher paid jobs(Occupational Outlook Handbook). As a result many jobs will require some training if not a college degree from a four college. This makes our community colleges a vital asset to the community. If young people are not given the tools they need to succeed we may experience a similar event to the 1992 Riots in the near future. We shall continue to produce children who lack self-respect and will witness the further decline of the Exposition Park community. Folks at the Expo Park complexes are revamping their facilities, preparing for the approaching 21st century. Efforts include two brass Dueling Dinosaurs in front of the Natural history Museum. Yet, who is preparing our youth? In 1913, Judge William Miller Bowen established the Museum of Science, History and Art to upgrade the community, which ".had fallen to a state of disgrace.. a center for horse racing gambling, drinking and related activities.." (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County) One of the steps that will be taken in the future, if we desire to put a stop to the crime of indifference committed against our young people, is to welcome them to this facility and other institutions of higher learning, through internships and programs encouraging community involvement. There will also be an increase of community centers, recreation facilities, and employment opportunities. On the corner of Vermont and Exposition the city is currently building a soccer field. Efforts such as these need to be taken much more vigorously. Says Ms. Porter, "If parent were doing what my mother did, things would be different." Healing our society 's wounds will require taking a good look at how our current values affect our children. Drug addiction makes it difficult for many parents to provide their children with adequate nurturing and cause them to negatively influence a child's behavior. 9% of youths age 12-17 admitted to using drugs in 1996 and 65 to 75% of teens and young adults who abuse alcohol have parents who are also drug abusers (Knight -Ridder/Tribune News Service). Parents and professionals within the community will begin motivation programs that provide young people with role models. In conclusion, the young people of Exposition Park are in an excellent position to begin the process of healing. However, they can not do this without the aid of parents, teachers, and other figures in the community. Furthermore if immediate efforts are not taken conditions will worsen. The problems of drugs, gang violence, teen pregnancy, and a high rate of high school drop -outs can be combatted. Young people need to be motivated, adults must realize the consequences of political action on long-term social health, and youth need to be given an equal access to all facets of education for this to happen. Says Ms.Porter "The whole thing boils down to economics." This being the case efforts should be taken to discourage big business monopolies and encourage small businesses, run by those who live in the community. Although strong influence by the federal government is not encouraged, America's leaders need to guide their constituents toward the road of progress and equality. The community should be the driving force in strengthening its inhabitants. Education will be the tool to bring young people into the 21st century. If we accomplish the goals outlined in this paper we can offer young people a country which allows all of its citizens to pursue the American Dream.