Media Neglects Historic Black Neighborhood Devastated by LA Wildfires; GoFundMe Launched for Relief
LOS ANGELES, CA – While national headlines spotlight the destruction of multi-million-dollar homes by the wildfires in affluent Los Angeles neighborhoods, the catastrophic toll on historic Black communities like Altadena has been largely overlooked. One of LA’s oldest Black neighborhoods, Altadena, has suffered immense losses, with homes, businesses, and cultural institutions reduced to ashes. Tragically, a 66-year-old man lost his life trying to save his family’s home of 55 years, succumbing to the flames of the Eaton Fire while holding a garden hose.
The wildfires have amplified existing health crises in Altadena, disproportionately affecting Black residents who often grapple with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Despite the widespread devastation, the national focus remains on wealthier areas, leaving communities like Altadena and nearby Pasadena struggling for visibility and resources.
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Black-Owned Institutions Destroyed, Insurance Gaps Deepen Wounds
The fires have obliterated Black-owned churches, restaurants, and cultural landmarks that have been central to the community for generations. Adding to the heartbreak is the glaring insurance disparity. Many Altadena residents lack adequate fire insurance due to major providers’ refusal to cover the area, forcing them to rely on California’s basic insurance plan. This minimal coverage leaves families unable to afford the monumental cost of rebuilding.
GoFundMe Launched by Prominent Black Law Firms
Recognizing the urgent need, two well-known Black law firms, The Cochran Firm and Ivie McNeil Wyatt Purcell and Diggs, have stepped in to provide support. They’ve partnered with community leaders to launch a GoFundMe campaign, “LA Fires: The Impacted Black Community Urgently Needs Help!” The fundraiser pledges to distribute 100% of proceeds directly to residents in Altadena and Pasadena who have lost everything.
“These communities represent generations of Black families, some who’ve lived here for six generations and others who’ve recently planted roots,” the GoFundMe page explains. “The devastation has been overwhelming, with many families left with nothing.”
Highlighting Inequities in Disaster Response
Organizers of the GoFundMe have called out the inequities in disaster coverage, noting that many homes in these neighborhoods were uninsured due to canceled fire policies or the lack of requirements for fire insurance in homes without mortgages. They’re urging donors to help fill the gap for residents overlooked by traditional disaster relief systems.
As Altadena faces an uncertain future, this campaign seeks to shine a light on the disparities in recovery resources and ensure that this historic Black community receives the support it urgently needs.