Hollywood's Songs of Innocence and Experience

When I started this adventure, the name “Fallen Hollywood” just stuck. I have been a student of Victorian and post-Victorian society since my undergraduate days, so when I look objectively at Hollywood as a neighborhood, I see it as fallen.

Fallen Woman is an archaic concept, it was  used to describe a woman who is outside society either due to birth or circumstances. It was predominantly used to describe sex workers.

The use of the word Fallen, is taken from the “fall” of Adam and Eve when they ate from the tree of knowledge in the Bible. Religion, art and literature have all used the term “fallen” to describe women (not men) when it comes to anything outside the norm. The term Fallen Women isn’t used in today’s world, but the concept is timeless. A person’s circumstances seems to excuse bad behavior of those who take advantage of them.

Hollywood is fallen, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t still beauty among the decay. The problem with Hollywood is that it no longer seen as a glamorous or desirable  place. This is probably why developers have taken advantage of it with impunity.

The amount of vacancy and dereliction within the boundaries of Hollywood and surrounding areas is criminal. Just look at just the lack of affordable housing and skyrocketing rents for both private and commercial spaces. Places are left to rot while people struggle to stay housed.

Rehabilitation

During the Industrial Revolution, there was a concerted effort by middle class women, religious institutions and even the government to rehabilitate “fallen women” in England (among other places). Due to their circumstances and the lack of care and cleanliness  of men, the women ended up with contagious diseases that spread throughout the city. It is always easy to blame the less fortunate than those who prey on them. Just like here in Hollywood, it is blamed for the crime and the ruin without pointing the finger at the landlords, developers and others who made it that way and are perpetuating the ruin and decay for profit.

Imagine a Hollywood with:

• a thriving small business community

• affordable housing

• a vibrant nightlife

• World-class  restaurants

• A revitalized entertainment industry

• protection and revitalization of historic and culturally relevant spaces

• A welcoming and exciting tourism district

This is what I want for Hollywood, my adopted home. I see it as a beacon for change in Los Angeles as it is one of the most visible areas globally. I don’t want Hollywood to be embarrassing or decrepit or a sad place to be. There is still hope. With proper regulations on development, generous tax incentives for restoration, small business incentives, and a global ambassador  program, I believe Hollywood can be the shining star it used to be again.

In the end, all we have is what we leave behind so why are we letting moneyed interests dim the bright lights of not just Hollywood, but of every city, town and neighborhood  in this country? They are in it for a quick buck, but we are the ones left with the bill.