Today’s dispatch comes from a current teenage resident of East Hollywood. I met this young photographer when I spoke at a Las Fotos Project photography class, and we at Making a Neighborhood are thrilled to share her touching photo essay tribute with you. — Samanta Helou Hernandez
When I was first enrolled in Las Fotos: Digital Promotoras class, I was excited to begin my journey in photography. Every class that Las Fotos offered was a different subject. I was lucky enough to participate in a year where our theme was “Locals Only.” During the first class, I started planning out which place I was going to document for my project. I chose a variety of liquor stores, street vendors, Armenian bakeries, and grocery stores located in my neighborhood. Although I had already planned the dates when I was going to visit each business, I decided to document my neighbor and his business instead.
Don Pedro’s truck is a produce/snack truck. He sells a variety of produce, snacks, drinks, and appliances/healthcare for all. For his side job, he is also a mechanic. There is never a day where you will not catch Don Pedro in his mechanic suit. He works side by side with his wife, Doña Teofila, as he runs both his mechanic business with his son, and his produce/snack truck with his wife.
I have known Don Pedro since I was first welcomed into this world. My mother told me a tale that when she was going through labor with me, she did not own a vehicle at that time so instead Don Pedro gave us a lift to the hospital. Since then, Don Pedro has raised me more than just as my downstairs neighbor, but as a family member. Don Pedro is a guardian to all the kids in my apartment. When our parents came back from their 8-5 shift, the kids would beg to play outside, but considering they were exhausted after a long day at work, they simply did not have the energy to look after us. Instead, Don Pedro insisted on looking out for us while the parents rested. During the hottest days in LA, Don Pedro would bring out a bucket filled with water so the kids could splash each other. At the end of the day, he would pick the juiciest pineapple from his truck and cut it into slices. On top he would cover each slice with chamoy. He offered every person outside a slice, including the ones who were just walking by. There were times where he would take the box of pineapple slices with him just to knock on every door in the apartment to offer them a piece. Don Pedro is a generous, humble soul who understands the struggles people go through whether it’s physically, mentally, or financially. He will always find a way to help us out, and for that we are grateful.
Next to Don Pedro’s truck there is a guava tree that has been growing for many years. Under that tree, both Don Pedro and Doña Teofila spent hours lecturing our parents, neighbors from down the street, and random pedestrians, including us, the children. Every lecture includes a bible reference, their personal experiences, and a reflection. Don Pedro has raised three generations. In each generation, he witnessed every kid end up in different directions. Gang violence, death, birth, success, and failure. Despite the actions that every person has made, he still welcomes them with open arms.
All the way from Mexico, Don Pedro was raised surrounded by his brothers working on the fields. He raised a huge diversity of livestock in the lands his father sacrificed in order to give his family a better future. Throughout his childhood, his mother has guided him with the same lectures he has given to many of us, including myself.
Don’t be full of yourself. The poor lives while the rich die down. If you came from nothing, grow from it. If you didn’t, don’t bother.
When Don Pedro migrated to the U.S, he came here with nothing but hopes to build a better future including for many others. His first job was at an Iranian restaurant in which he only got paid $5 an hour.
During that time, his wife Doña Tiofila opened up her business with the truck outside our apartment back in the late 80’s. They would wake up around 6am to set up the shop, drive his kids to school, and go straight to work. Considering that it was overwhelming for the whole family, he quit his job and worked with his wife as a vendor and a mechanic as well.
For three generations, Don Pedro has watched the kids grow up and achieve their dreams or get affiliated with gang violence. Although Don Pedro despised most of the decisions the kids have made, he has nothing but love for them. Through the streets of Mariposa, to our Godfather-Don Pedro.
For as long as I can remember, Don Pedro has been considered a guardian Angel to me. I seek his truth and assistance during the most difficult moments of my life. As moments go by, each lecture I’ve received has created a huge impact on my life. Although he may not know it, I consider him and his wife Doña Teofila as the grandparents that I was never able to have.
Beautiful work, Jade! So so proud of you. Your passion for photography and your community shine brilliantly.
Wonderful writing and fantastic photos! Congrats to Jade, looking forward to anything they do in the future.