Perry, who supported the removal of "South Central," says smaller neighborhood identities are needed. A name "has do with access, with whether a community is empowered," she said.
It remains to be seen whether the tract names will catch on. Meanwhile, the area as a whole remains largely anonymous. Newton "is very amorphous," said Cremins, the police captain. "It does not have a distinct geographic feature. Not even a Watts Towers."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 46 words Type of Material: Correction
South Los Angeles: A photo caption with an article in Monday's California section about the area formerly called South Central L.A. said a mural depicting the neighborhood's once-thriving jazz scene was at 25th Street and Adams Boulevard. The mural is at 25th Street and Central Avenue.
People grasp for ways to describe it. They say "South Central," the "Eastside" or sometimes "La Newton," after the police station (though the station has moved from its former location on Newton Street).
"South Central -- but not the bad South Central," said Velissa Williams, 37, who lives near Central and 25th.
"The place formerly known as South Central," said Kevin Sved, co-director of The Accelerated School, a charter at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Main Street.
"Kids here would just say, 'the hood.' " said Juan Flecha, principal of Jefferson High School.
Even residents who use "South Central" are not sure what it means. Asked to describe its boundaries, Jesus Flores, who lives on 43rd Street just east of the Harbor Freeway, waved a hand southward. "From here," he said, "to San Pedro."
"Eastside" is similarly problematic. That name is still used by people all over South L.A., especially blacks. It means east of Main Street. But its use has drifted well south of Florence Avenue. And to much of the rest of the city, "Eastside" suggests East L.A. or Boyle Heights.
So often, people punt; they use streets and distant landmarks to explain where they are. They say, "south of Staples Center," or, "east of the Coliseum." They triangulate and wave their arms.
"We refer to it as 'south of the Santa Monica Freeway," said Oscar Ixco, assistant project manager for the Community Redevelopment Agency. "And then people think it's by USC, and we say, 'No, it's east of the 110 Freeway.' "
The fate of nameless Newton contrasts sharply with that of another famous seat of black urban culture -- Harlem in New York City. Through more than 300 years of shifting fortunes, Harlem has kept its identity intact. Harlem "has brand equity that is recognized worldwide," said Leon Wynter, spokesman for the Harlem Community Development Corp. Harlem's name also has carried "negative associations" over the years, Wynter said. But it still gives the area "a central and cohesive identity."
