One of the chapters I found interesting was chapter 16 and how Latinos in East Los Angeles utilized their porches and front yards as extensions to their homes as outdoor living spaces. Parents sat on chairs or couches on the front porch while kids played on the grass, or played ball in the street. The fence or street in front of the house was also used to sell handcrafted items, or display items for a yard sale. Regardless of race, I’m sure all of us have used our outdoor spaces in some way that chapter 16 described.
I also thought, chapter 16 could be expanded into another book or text about how different ethnic groups or cultures live and use their homes. This could also be done based on socioeconomic status, environmental factors, and a variety of other topics. I also thought about my community I grew up in Hacienda Heights in southern California. My community was predominately Chinese, and I learned a great deal about Chinese culture. Many of my Chinese neighbors had Koi ponds in their front yards, and when I was younger I would help them feed their fish. Some of my neighbors also had traditional Chinese gardens with ornate bridges and pathways.
In Chinese households, Feng Shui is very important and there are many rules that should be followed in order to have a harmonious life that balances: health, wealth, and happiness. Some areas of importance include; the direction of your front door, the direction your house faces, the importance of colors, and Feng Shui symbols. The 5 elements are also important to include: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. It’s all about having the right balance of chi which will make your home and your life harmonious. It is also important to live near a Buddhist temple, when possible, and in Hacienda Heights we had one of the largest temples in the state. The closer your residence was to the temple the better, because if you lived within 1 mile, then you live on holy land.
In Hacienda Heights, there is a very large Buddhist temple, HSI Lai Temple. I tried to include a picture, but it didn’t work for some reason…
I’ve visited the temple about 3 times, and there are several gardens, and temples in which to pray. There is also a 20 foot Buddha statute in one of the temples. Many of my classmates and friends taught me about Chinese holidays, religious ceremonies and how to speak a few words in Mandarin. So my community was more about fried rice rather than the “corn lady” in East L.A.