Author and historian Crystal Jackson delivers an authentic and compelling account of one town’s epic journey through American history. Since our nation’s birth, Pacoima has been a microcosm of America’s social development and evolution. Once called Pacoinga, it was a sacred native land until Spanish colonization in the late 18th century. From the Mission era and the genocide of the area’s indigenous people to becoming one of the country’s first suburban minority communities, this town’s cultural history is unlike any other. Jackson’s powerful book peels back this historic town’s jaw-dropping layers to expose provocative racial threads that bind American history.
As some in America strived to contain and diminish people of color, time and again, Pacoima broke free and soared to unimaginable heights. Over the past 150 years, its unique cultural diversity among Native, Latino, Black, Japanese, and White communities has defied all odds. The town’s remarkable history reveals irrefutable stories that redefine the social development of America’s minority populace.
Jackson has spent five years researching the town and interviewing dozens of current and former residents. US Congressman Tony Cárdenas, US Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and US Senator Alex Padilla are among the many people raised in Pacoima whom Jackson interviewed for the book. She interviewed 90-year-old residents, Indian chiefs, Mexican migrants, families of Japanese internment camp survivors, and civil rights leaders who vividly described the town’s growth and evolution. Despite stolen Indian land, second-class treatment, forced imprisonment, civil rights violations, and a crack epidemic that nearly destroyed the town, Pacoima has risen to make a significant impact on the country and even the world.
Ritchie Valens, Heisman Trophy winner Charles White, Danny Trejo, World Boxing Champ Bobby Chacon, and Grammy winner Andráe Crouch all grew up in the small town of Pacoima. Their triumphant tales are just a few of the many fascinating stories. The nation’s first public charter school, the world’s largest earth-filled dam, and the nation’s #1-ranked high school football team are all part of this historic town’s past. Story after story is awe-inspiring, accompanied by rare vintage photos.
Johnny Carson once made Pacoima a punchline, taking potshots during his routine and perpetuating negative hype. This book brings to light a town that many never knew existed. From its earliest inhabitants to its modern-day presence, the entrance to Pacoima’s incredible story is now open.
Available on Paperback at Amazon.com
Book includes hundreds of photos
Large Paperback, 676 pages
Published November 15, 2019 by Baitcal Publishing
Original Title: The Entrance: Pacoima's Story
Author: Crystal Jackson
ISBN: 978-0985961947
Edition Language: English