Linh

The below interview is with Linh, one of the volunteers at the Westlake Community Table.

Ed-Alrighty. First off: I’ve been transcribing a lot of the recordings that I got from the members and like--and Dana! It was interesting because I was transcribing his and he referred to you often throughout the interview, and when he thinks about the table, he refers to you. You’re like his point person. And you are, genuinely. I have a lot of respect for you doing that. It was interesting hearing him talk about his relationship with the table, because he often referred--particularly while talking to you--to the fact that your action made the table unique. First of all, everything the table offers is free, and he appreciates that immensely, and he said that you personally have offered him more aid--besides medicine and as far as personal aid goes. I’m curious: when you’re at the table, what kind of action do you want to do for these people? What's your intent? How do you want to help these people, who are unhoused and housed, whatever the case ? When you’re at the table, what do you intend on accomplishing every time you’re there or in particular cases ?

Linh-That’s a good question. Um, I think I should ask myself that more often. It feels like it’s been hard lately because I am trying to--I want to do more than meet people’s immediate needs. I would like to build community and build hard. It sounds hard during covid, but right now we do hand-offs and we get to talk to people but what I would like to see more--the people that are in line, like “Hey I remember you!” or “Hey, Joe, what’s up?” More talking to people outside the people too, to the point where people are “hanging out,” basically. And then provide conversation. Talk about life… Dana and I talked about a variety of things: about life, about his personal experience… My goal is to build community in a variety of ways, for people to feel a safe space to talk about if they are more marginalized, to talk about being queer or issues they’ve experienced being unhoused, their interactions with cops. Yeah. I want more hanging out and political agitation. I guess that’s somehow my intent in that I know it will take many different types of ways.

Ed-That makes sense, because while talking to Dana, he said first off--when he came to the table. I remember him saying from the first time he came to the table he felt that the vibe was welcoming because as he says the table and particularly you--that you didn’t talk down to him compared to other social services and support that he’s been to--the missions and shelters out there in skid row, he feels like they talked down to him and beat him down verbally. And he says that he’s never felt that way at the table. And he refers to you--”While talking to Linh, I always felt I was appreciated”--and I quoted him saying something like “Besides what you gave me, you gave me a word of encouragement.” That was the dynamic he felt with the table: everyone had something good to say, and you specifically would help him a lot. And you still do, and talk to him, and he really appreciates the work that you put in. After talking to him, I was thinking about where you’re coming from when it comes to your organizing strategy. Like you said, you first want to make those connections and build those relationships so there is a sense of community at the table, where people come. And from that, how would you describe that process of talking to people and finding out what their needs are and making sure that they’re okay. Besides Dana, I’ve noticed that there are a lot of residents at the park who know you personally and they really appreciate your presence. I’m curious: what did that relationship-building look like? And what are some of the needs of people that you try to meet, and what are some for the needs that you can’t really meet?

Linh-I’ve only been there since April, which is kind of long--almost a year from then. I don’t know. I try to--as you can tell from me talking. I really like meeting new people and appreciate things that are being met and I consider it very mutual aid, because I am learning from them perspectives that I didn’t know, because we all have something we can learn from each other. And there were times--and I don’t know what, I’m still taking in a lot of what you just shared with me and not sure how to respond to it--I enjoy the table, I think. I want to be able to respond to the other stuff but I’m focused on the last question you asked: the things I am unable to do, which really bothered me a lot. The biggest thing is: people there are unhoused, or housing unstable, and I can’t provide them housing. “I would like to be in a house, in a shelter right now,” and I don’t have those means and neither does our group, and that’s always heartbreaking. When I come back to that--mental health. There are a couple folks where I would like a therapist. Even like that woman we saw yesterday, and I’m glad you tried talking with her and didn’t ask about the situation but it’s really upsetting to see things like that, where she isn’t able to talk to me coherently enough where I can ask things of her, and that’s not fair.Those are the biggest resources that I think of and which I can’t provide and that’s really upsetting. I know immediate needs are important. Like, when I’m hungry I get cranky, right? If I don’t sleep a full 8 hours, I’m cranky. So immediate needs are so important to be met, and sometimes it seems like it’s the most we can do at the moment, and that’s always very frustrating to think about, because we know what it takes to thrive--like actually thrive--and it’s way more than immediate needs and it does take some capital. Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed by that.

Ed-For sure.

Linh-I’m very grateful. Dana is a very kind-hearted person, and it really upsets me because I feel like every time I see him now--before when I would see him he’d be in the same energy, but in the last couple weeks--he’s been low. I feel like the bags beneath his eyes are deeper, and it makes me sad. He really doesn’t have to and I don’t expect it from him, and he still shows up at the table and helps. And I’m still learning about my own self-worth on a personal level, and start to tell people--whether they’re my friends or not--”Hey I don’t deserve this” or “I want this” from personal relationships, which is something I’m still learning. People like Dana and people like my friends and even new acquaintances probably don’t think it’s a big deal but what they’ve been reminding me is like “Oh, you deserve better than that, you shouldn’t have been treated that way,” “What you’re expecting--that’s not a lot.” It’s incredibly encouraging. Like today, it feels like I can’t expect certain things. I would tell other people that they should expect them and I wouldn’t be able to expect that for myself. And Dana reminds me of that sometimes, and to hear it from him--that means a lot.

Ed-Yeah, talking to him. He shared a lot and he was very transparent with me. The one thing that really stood out--he’s self-aware of the conditions because he referred to conversing with you and that through that he’s realized a lot of things--besides interviewing him and getting to know his testimony, he would explain to me the way he contextualizes the situation. He talked about the situation he’s in--it isn’t because of a lack of effort or because of any of that bullshit; it’s circumstantial and quote, I remember him saying “Million and millions of people are in this situation” like him. And the way he described it was like that’s where he’s at and the way it is. His testimony is really strong and it got me thinking about what the relationship means to the people. Of course Dana’s testimony doesn’t represent everywhere, but he’s very self-aware of his condition, and he’s an older guy and he knows. He knows what the situation demands of people, and he was saying that he looks forward to the table every Saturday, or being at the table whenever when he’s not working, because--”Personally, the table has a great impact on me because I can’t get this nowhere else. I actually look forward to Satuday from where I’m coming from. I look forward to it, because--I mean, for free?! It’s free aid--I can’t get this nowhere else and it has a tremendous impact on my life. Linh knows I’m here every Wednesday and Saturday if I’m not working. If I’m here, I always tell her that.” Based on his testimony he has a lot of respect for you. He says, “Linh covers a lot. Yeah, she’s multi-tasking.” He really appreciates the work you put into the table. That was something interesting while talking to him. It sounds like he has a genuine connection with you, and appreciates what the table means to him. It sounds like it’s a support system--not only for material needs. Like you said! He’s not there not just to hang out, but he’s there out of necessity. Like he said: where else can he go?

I hope this doesn’t… I hope it’s not invasive. You do take on a lot of the responsibility. I know Liz and you have been coordinating the table since April, but you’ve been the person coordinating the resources and getting people connected. Doing those logistics and being that point person for the group for a long time. And even though we’re trying to figure out how to move away from that, my question to you would be: how has it been running the table? How has that changed you? What does that responsibility look like, coordinating for the table? To rephrase it: What does the responsibility of coordinating the table mean to you?

Linh-First off, I want to say: don’t be too self-conscious about asking questions. I know you have a very sincere intent, and if anything makes me uncomfortable I will say. I trust you as a comrade. Don’t be too self-conscious.

For me--I really do want people to really know we’re serving. I understand that not everyone can be able to be on the ground, as folks have expressed. Rey lives with his parents who are immuno-compromised. People have their own capacity. And for their personality--some people don’t want to do outreach. When it comes to the table, I want everyone to be very intentional about their organizing, and I don’t want volunteers just “showing up” at the table. I want to be very welcoming, and I want all kinds of folks who aren’t politically engaged to get involved with the table. Still, I do want people to have a certain level of discipline. As much as I want us to have fun. Oh! We should play music at the table, I keep forgetting. I do want us to have fun. I think what we’re doing, too, though, is serious too. I told you it pissed me off when people were fucking laughing and joking about something in front of a cop-watch thing… It’s like: be a little more aware of yourself. I also want to say that I have to acknowledge that I’m really only able to do all of this organizing and be at the front because 1) I was unemployed--I’m not unemployed now but I just keep pretending to be sick from covid still--and there’s a certain amount in privilege in being able to still be on unemployment and I feel like I have some level of abilities to take my property management to court and I’ve had the opportunity and the luxury to have been around people after high school that are very politically engaged. Even though Howard University was very liberal--I mean that’s all higher institutions--all my friends were very politically engaged and they are still teaching me how to be nuanced in understanding things. And I’ve always been surrounded by that and positively influenced by that. And even my ex--I mean, there’s some problematic parts of his politics--he agitated me to be more politically conscious. I wanted to put that out there. I want everyone to feel like… I really do like the leaders' exercise that Rey had because I do feel like we are all willing to get to the table and we all have the potential to be our own leaders to build whatever political power it takes to make things better.  Whatever it looks like--I want to tap into it. I thought it was pretty cool when Veronica started and was like “Hey I noticed people want bags. Can I bring bags?” And I was like “Yeah, that’d be great. If you could get paper, that would be more environmentally friendly.” And she was open to my adding onto it; she was down to have a conversation and not just have her own ideas. She was down to throw her ideas out there and talk it out. I want anyone to feel like they can do that. So that means having a safe space. Willing to a degree to educate people and leaving room for growth and being firm when things are not “correct.” That’s my vision.

Ed-That’s what I was going to ask you. It sounds like your expectations of the table are not necessarily… you were saying maintaining the community table is a way to maintain a community space and a safe space for people. For the members to make those realizations in engaging in the work. The point is the community aid and maintaining that sense that we are building solidarity with one another in that space.

Linh-Oh, I want to show you this, sorry. This is a backpack.

*Cute backpack is presented*

Ed-Oh shiiiit. That’s dope.

Linh-Sorry, go ahead.

Ed-Ye, ye, yeah. I guess my question to you would be… it sounds like your intentions for the table are to be a source of support for the community, for the residents of the park and for the park in general---for anyone who comes by. You touched on building that political awareness among people who are members. Does that extend to the people in the park--the residents, the people passing by. Would you say that the table has a strong political intent?

Linh-Absolutely. I don’t know if I told you this: I’m pretty ashamed that it was only recently that I watched a documentary about the BPP. It’s interesting because I always hear people talking about them--we all talk about them in these spaces--but I feel like people aren’t actually looking them up, including me. Because if you’ve looked up the BPP, we would all sit here going “What we are all doing here is wrong!” Not all of us but most of us. I feel like these people haven’t done the research or haven’t done the reading. There’s a group of people who don’t want to do shit, for whatever reason. There’s a group of people who feel lost. And there’s a group of people who want to get on the ground but aren’t insightful about how they get on the ground. When you look up the BPP, it’s successful for the most part until of course the state got involved. I know it’s not that simple, but it kind of was that simple: you have to win the people over. You have to love the people and you have to serve the people. I don’t see that. I think you really need to… It’s not just “Oh here you go.” No, you have to win people over. I don’t know. There’s that and then there’s the aspect that the BPP was offering a political education during all of that. And yes, that meant the whole community. That didn’t mean one group of people. And the BPP, they were not reliant on white people to be passive. In fact, white people had to act right, but they didn’t rely on white people to be passive. Like, no. We’ve learned that from the Rainbow Coalition and everyone like that.

Ed-Ye-ah, ye-ah. Would you say that the BPP would be the org that you've been influenced by, and maybe not necessarily emulate, but they are a strong inspiration for the table and the work you’re trying to implement?

Linh-I do want to be aware of saying that, because I’ve only recently read into them, and it’s something I’m ashamed of saying. I know that’s not acceptable. But I know I’m not the only one, because if I were, I don’t think LA would be organized as it is right now. If people were really reading the BPP--not just the BPP, but other groups like the Batistas--I don’t think people would be moving and organizing the way they are. I think people would behave a lot differently. And I don’t mean like reading an article. I mean watch some documentaries and analyze what you’ve seen. I’ve done that recently. I’m aware of saying that because even now I haven’t done enough reading as I should have. And people don’t have to read--even watching things if that’s how you can consume information. I don’t read as much since it’s hard for me nowadays. And I would say I am very influenced by them. And I will say straight-forwardly, the people that I am learning from are not white. They are black or brown or even Vietnamese. I am Vietnamese and I feel very strongly that even though I have to more work to understand what exactly communism is, I have confidence in my people that they were on the track, so I still feel comfortable as referring to myself as that <communist> even if I haven’t done all the reading I’ve needed to do.  I would say that I am emulating the BPP, but I haven’t done enough of the research as I should. But they really got it down! If people were really learning from them, LA wouldn’t be the way it is. So I think people could benefit from learning more.

Ed-I’m asking this question with the intent to understand what’s the line that you’re following, because you keep referring to the mutual aid work, the table is not simply meeting the survival needs of the people--there’s another intent behind that, and that relates back to the BPP and their activity. But to be more specific: like you said, you don’t feel confident enough to say that the BPP in its entirety is the main source of inspiration for the table. How would you describe the work that the BPP did in your own political terms? What did they represent to the people? Why is the BPP in particular the aura that you would like to bring the table into?

I guess I’m asking two questions. What did the BPP do exactly? And what do you want to learn from the BPP and put into the table?

Linh-From what I understand, I think what they did was not charity. I think it was real mutual aid. I think what they did was empowering for the community. Even though there are certain people who are remembered more because of what happened to them or how they spoke publicly, there were a lot of people in the background. There were a lot of people who were also very politically active, and I think that came from empowering each other and the community. I think of this clip I saw where Fred Hampton was like “We are revolutionaries.” And everyone--not two people--it was everyone saying it. To me, to get that mass amount of people--a very high number of people willing to say this and do the kind of work that they do--is what I would like to take from them. It’s important to meet immediate needs, but that’s not going to get what we are entitled to. We are entitled to housing, to not be harassed for existing. We’re entitled to a lot of things, and that’s going to take a lot of us to be politically active.

Ed-That makes sense. To be more transparent with you: my intent for writing this first issue to narrow down what the table does for the community and how the table--I’m not going so much in depth with all the members; the next issue is about everyone and that’s my intent, to learn what everyone’s stance in and how everyone participates in the coordination of the table… The residents of the park, from what I get from interviewing them and eavesdropping.. You’re talking about organizing the community en masse through mutual aid--similar to the BPP--and it does seem like there are a lot of people at the park that identify you as the lead organizer. Not everyone has it of course but Dana, for example, is a solid resident of the park and is actively learning through a genuine relationship he has with you and the table. I want to learn more about that. And you told me your intent is the mutual aid work that advances a political struggle. And you’re telling me what you’ve learned from the BPP--that they built a mass organization, a solidarity among the people. You talked about maintaining that strong sense of colored power. You want to build up POC power--brown and black folks and also Asian folks as well--POCs, you know? I’m curious to hear what you have to say about how most unhoused folks are black and brown, and that’s the conditions we have over here--even in the nation, they are the ones to be neglected systemically by the state. Do you think the table has an overt agenda that people who observe the table or support the table passively recognize as political or as motivated by some radical politics?

Linh-I don’t, and I’m thinking that that is a weak point of our table. I don’t think we necessarily have to be obviously overt because in the end it’s about the action and not what you put up, because you can put up all kinds of things and your actions don’t show it. But I do think we have to be more overt, because a common thing is people keep thinking we’re churches or nonprofits. And the church can definitely be a place to radicalize folks and to build political power, but I think a lot of times it’s unfortunately not. And definitely for nonprofit it’s not--no debate…

Ed-Yeah…

Linh-So I think we could do better to be more overt. Like today I finally got back the banner, finally putting “Community Table.” So, I don’t know if she wants to be quoted, I’ll ask her. One of my unhoused friends--she volunteered at the table once. And she was saying how we should put up propaganda: “We fight poverty, not the poor.” She said that’s really going to speak to people. If you just say “REVOLUTION!” Like “Fucking revolution right now” and it’s like “dude, what are you talking about?” but “We fight poverty, not the poor” is simple and it speaks to the people and I agree with her. It does. She also said we should make politically educational telenovellas.

Ed-Oh my god…

Linh-I know you’re a writer. I encourage you to go in that direction. You need to speak to the people. You’re also the people. You’re not better. I agree with what she says about all that.

Ed-Definitely. The table doesn’t have an overt political agenda, and you said that’s something you want to work towards--politically-charged slogans. And I’m with you, as a member of the table. In your own words--I’ve asked this question to all the members and have gotten different responses--how would you describe the collective motivation of the table? What do the members have in common as a shared motivation? It may be unspoken or spoken, but in a real sense what is the group intent at the table? What’s the focus and action that everyone wants? Of course it’s nuanced and complicated, but what does everyone connect on? What kind of goal?

Linh-I think in the end that everyone sees that there is a problem, that human rights are being violated and we can’t sit by and let that happen. I think we can all agree with that. Where some people disagree--to what degree can we fuck with the state and over throw it--but everyone sees that there is something wrong with the state and it is not addressing the people. I know we can agree on that.

Ed-Okay. That makes sense. To summarize and look back at what’s been spoken, it seems like the intent of the table is to meet the immediate needs of the community--of the unhoused, particularly POC unhoused and the most marginalized--and you’re also saying that the table--and I’ll be transparent about that as I write the article--while everyone has a different direction in mind, which comes back to the idea that there isn’t a solidified political agenda, but there definitely seems to be intent to meet people where they are at. Addressing a community that has been neglected, ignored and actively oppressed by the state and unfortunately has internal contradictions because of the situations they are in, you know? I think in the article I’m going to ‘fuck it’ and refer to the fact that the table is a bubbling mutual aid team that is very local with an intent to not only maintain itself as a source of support but as a genuine ally to the community that can learn from the community and educate the community and offer resources and leads to help them organize their own lives.

Linh-I want to add that we are also learning too.

Ed-Learning what, exactly?

Linh-How can we serve the people if we don’t understand what they need. So learning what they need, even how to get there--

Ed-Ye, ye, ye-ah. Yeah, yeah. <laughs> Sorry, it’s just like…. That’s what I was hoping you were going to say.

Linh-<laughs>

Ed-That’s what my intent is. I’m asking these questions to different people. And I’ve asked people pretty different questions. Some the same. But it depends on what I know about you and the research I’ve done about the table and how everyone is a part of it. I want to hear from you what the intent of the table is. In the article I’ll say this is what Linh inputs, but what you said definitely helps the story. As I keep saying, a lot of the folks at the park do identify you as the face of the table, and they do recognize you as that organizer who helps supply them with what they need. And as a caring friend, you know? That’s what I noticed from talking and interviewing people in the park. I know you don’t recognize yourself, and I know that our table--and I don’t want that, either--doesn’t revolve around one person, but for a long time now the responsibility has been on you and you’ve been doing that. That’s the thing. I wanted to hear from your perspective. I guess--one more question, too, though: Since the table started in April, do you think the table has grown to a point where you are pretty satisfied? The table has a particular kind of aid and particular kinds of services that--of course there is always progress to chase--but how do you think the table in present times exists and are you content with where we are at or is there a lot more we need to do?

Linh-I don’t want to downplay what we’ve done as a collective, but it’s never going to be enough until capitalism is overthrown. That’s how I see it. But it’s incredible and lovely to see how much we’ve grown and how much better we’ve gotten and how much people have gotten out of it. Specifically to our members who aren’t responsive to a critique of their racism when we’ve called them on it politely, but I’m very proud of how we’ve grown together. Even in personal relationships, we’ve had a lot of conversations to make things better. You’ve talked about your Zine idea and I love how you took that initiative. We should do a Zine and Veronica has already asked her connections because she works somewhere in production in the film industry. That’s awesome, and it’s nice to see Rey’s back. In the beginning he was much more involved but I know he got really occupied because I know he has a full-time job that required him to be on site for 40 hours. I don’t have a job like that and that’s why I’m able to be as present as I am and that’s why I encourage you to write that. I have to acknowledge that. Because of my status I’m able to get unemployment. I’m still working class, but, you know.

Ed-Of Course.

Linh-I am mostly relying on… I do have family but they’re not really reliable. What was your question again?

Ed-<laughs> You pretty much answered it. I wanted to run it down with you and see what’s your opinion of the table at this point, and where the table--

Linh-It’s amazing. It really is amazing what we’ve done. I’m not at all--I seriously will cry in the shower when I’m reflecting and remembering these things. I’m so happy with how much it’s grown and the people we’ve met. I still get sad though. Remember Dolores?

Ed-Mm.

Linh-I haven’t seen her for months. I might see her once in a while, so I still get really overwhelmed with “Okay, you know…” That kind of stuff makes me really sad still. 

Ed-I don’t know. There’s so much we can do. And I guess as a comrade I do think you’ve done a shit ton at this point for the table. I really recognize that a lot of us in the collective tell you that you do a lot for the table. I got mad respect for you, too. You’ve definitely taken the initiative along with Liz and a bit of Atom. You have really built up the table to a point where there is a space present to the point where you have folks like Dana who really recognize the table as a source of support. Where he gets excited to be there at the table and to talk to you and escape the fucking conditions, you know? And return back to that connection with the community. That’s something I noticed a lot from the interviews, too. There was a lot of talk of alienation--not only from… alienation among the unhoused community, he talked about that alot.

Linh-You mean amongst each other.

Ed-Yeah, one another. He talked about like even though we’re all unhoused, there is no connection. He feels isolated. He was talking to Liz today and he appreciated the talk he had with Liz because they were talking about political struggles and crises like ICE. Because Elliot himself is anti-capitalist. You should talk to him. He had a really fascinating strategy as to how to destroy capitalism and implement a communist narrative into the world. In his perspective, it’s through automation.

Linh-What’s that?

Ed-Like using machines to take on human jobs and shit. To the point where humans don’t really need to work anymore and just live in nature and shit. I don’t know. It’s really techy stuff and he was explaining to me how to implement a zero marginalist tax. I’ll text you if you’re interested in these two thinkers, he’s really wet off them. These thinkers that have these theories. Next time at the table hopefully you can talk to him. He’s really open about his political education and where he comes from. He also expressed to me--I told him “IF you’re at the table, we’re trying to build more services”--”If you are going to protest or do some demonstration I would want to go with you all. I want to get into the action.” He’s from the politics that we’re coming from.

Linh-Awesome!

Ed-I think he reads and lives around Lafayette library.

Linh-Ya.

Ed-He’s based there and if we wanted to go talk to him just head over to the library.

That’s off topic though. You’ve pretty much answered all the questions I had. You narrowed it down. In your own perspective, being a leading organizer for the table, in your own words… this would be my last question for you: In your own words…

Linh-Are you there?

Ed-Oh, yeah, I’m thinking.

Two parts. What kind of aid does the table need to invest in or start forming? What do you think people need at this point that the table is ready to take on?

Linh-Ready to take on? Oh, not---I’m not able to answer really. I’m not sure if we can take it on now, but soon I know we will be. I have faith in us. I really love the idea of what Jesse offered, because Jesse has a specific kit in pilates and she understands more specific kind of pain unhoused folks have from sleeping in tents, on the street quite literally. She has some pretty cool ideas for that. I think that… he’s mostly been doing the food stuff but I’ve seen him doing more specific organizing. I loved his idea where he talked about--and that’s why I like being able to talk to people and when I say “learning from people”--having haircuts. Even actually Laura did. When I heard I was like “Damn we really need to get haircuts in here.” She was saying like there would even be people that would pay for it, since it’s hard to find volunteers. But I do hope we can talk to Laura soon. Yeah, haircuts. Haircuts--

Ed-That’s the move, yeah.

Linh-Hanging around. Some people just want to get food and do what they need to do. That’s fine! Unfortunately, capitalism really limits what we can do in 24 hours. But there are some people that I think if we had more--like a library, like some kind of political education that is specific to people’s conditions. If we had 5 people, I specifically have pest issues. I have roaches, rats, all these issues in my building and my landlord doesn’t want to do anything about it. “Well, let’s have a meeting to talk about that and discuss a renters’ association.” I like the idea of doing more stuff regarding cop watch. They’re wild out there. They really think they can do whatever the fuck they want. And I’m sure people are interested and I told you! That telenovela. I really like the idea of putting on plays. We’ve talked about this: the left needs to be sexier, funnier, and it needs to be more entertaining. And I want to do things that are really fun.

Ed-Hell yeah. Ye, ye, yeah.

Linh-Very intentional, very politically aware, but not too on-the-nose, because that’s---I understand. I don’t want to be told what to do. I want people to think for themselves. I don’t want to be like “You should… be a communist.” That’s why I love fictional work. I think it’s great. I don’t want to be told what to do even if it’s the best thing to do.

Ed-I’m with you there. That sounds like the fuckin’ move. Doing community activities and getting people the information they need to organize.

Linh-I guess what I think we’re doing is that we’re getting people to the table. But we’re not getting people to stay at the table. Whatever activities contribute to that is what I want to move forward with.

Ed-To return back to how the table works. How is it coordinated? Who are the point people? How are the resources consolidated? What are the networks and logistics that you have?

Linh-Well, Michelle does a great job with social media. She gets the water. She sometimes gets it from Water Drop LA but they’ve been cheap on us lately. Michelle also follows up on a lot of the instagram stuff. Remember last Saturday? It was crazy. There was a lot of CBD spray. That stuff is not cheap. Michelle makes sure that happens. All those hand sanitizers, which the people really need right now, she’s been really helpful. So Michelle does that stuff. Me and Liz the main coordinators. But a lot of people help with the food and a lot of people come together to make that happen.

If you’re talking about coordinating. Most days--me, Liz and VJ. I guess it has mostly been me following up with people and I would like to spread that labor. I want to see less like “Can you do this?” and more of inputting “I can do this.” Not everyone has to do this--it’s not everyone’s role--but to practice discipline, since that’s what it takes to overthrow a state. And not everyone is going to have that and that’s fine. But if you want to consider yourself an organizer I think you do need that discipline. That’s why little things encourage people… I know a lot of people have jobs that don’t allow for that and that’s fine, but I think if you can reflect that ahead and be like “This week I can do this” and follow through with that. Of course things happen, but to the best of your ability. And since we are building community… it’s hard to balance, because like I said, I want us to still have fun, but I want us to have a certain level of discipline, especially if you’re going to call yourself an organizer and consider yourself a revolutionary.. And I learned this from Alan, who did help out at the table: if the masses of people aren’t moving in the direction they should be, the only people you can blame are us. That’s why you call yourself a revolutionary or an organizer. It’s not supposed to be something fun, it’s because you are holding yourself to a certain level of accountability.

Ed-Yeah. That’s hot. The statement.

Linh-That’s what Alan said and it’s stuck with me since I heard it. Because I was really upset with the action at El Sereno, where I was arrested. It was really disappointing… I can be mad at stuff, but that’s not going to change things, and I do consider myself an organizer. I don’t know what it takes to be a revolutionary, but I do consider myself an organizer, and it is up to me to educate the mass, and to elevate the mass. But elevate can come off as being better, but it’s more--providing that alternative. Some people feel like we can seize power, but people have not seen that yet. That is our fault. That’s our duty.

Ed-Shit, yeah. That’s really what it’s all about. Bringing it back to the community. It could be as simple as a start as getting that grooming service started. At the table where people get haircuts. They get that kind of care. Dana did talk about that. He pretty much said that straight-up the table is good, but the thing he would recommend is getting showers at the table. He says that getting a grooming service started. I like what he said… how did he say it? He said: “Grooming station. You might not realize how much people change after their groping status is changed. After a fresh haircut or a fresh shower, it changes the people, makes them feel different about themselves to the point of ‘Maybe I should do something different for myself instead of laying around the park and doing drugs.’’ Besides that it’s a good table. It’s a hard thing to provide, but for people on the street, it does wonders for their self esteem. When you’ve been groomed, and you look good, and you know you look good, ain’t no one going to tell you you don’t look good. Besides that, this is pretty much an on-point situation.” That’s the way he described it. The table’s “on point.” He appreciates where we’re at right now. And that’s what you’re saying as an organizer. Those expectations are connecting! You’re hearing from the people--a grooming service. And you’re looking at how that can move towards a more constant community activity that can get people organizing and building that power.

I want to be able to participate in the article as a member, but I really just want to document the table as an observer. If someone is reading this article and reading about the table for the first time. What is the intent of the table? And it’s unique since it’s autonomous, local and everyone that’s volunteering is based--the aid is in the center, the park and it’s among the community. The other entries I did, they frame that point in hindsight: the table is unique because it is literally local and literally with the people. We are kind of exposing ourselves in that sense. So people are reading this <the article> who haven’t left the fucking house in 8 months and are like “Oh, shit! People are doing that right now?” They can realize that this is happening.

And so I’m thinking how to put this out there, what this is all about. Dana’s testimony: it seems like the table’s intent is to be a strong support for the community and to build people up.

Linh-I love that. Is that what he said?!

Ed-No that’s me getting the gist. But I think that’s what he thinks.

Linh-We might not yet. We're not at the point where it feels like its building. I think support is it. I would like to get to the point, but I feel like this is building. We’re not there yet.

Ed-But that’s the move. 

Linh-That is the move!

Ed-That’s what I’m getting from everyone I’m interviewing. You, Liz, Claire, Veronica, Atom, Dana, Carlos, Elliot… That’s what i seems to be all about: genuinely being there for the community and always recognizing that even though we’re coming from different backgrounds and we’re trying to be organizers--and of course you’re maintaining, which I really appreciate you doing that, being a revolutionary as being aware of where you’re at and what you need to learn from the people. That’s the whole point. In my own perspective you’re deprogramming to be a self-centered asshole and that you’re actually a part of a community, and that community being fucked over hard, like all communities. So what do we do as members of a community? We build solidarity. Then what? Building power? And what’s the next step? Put an end to the condition and destroy the state. But that’s the future and an ongoing struggle and that takes lifetimes.. Or not! It could happen now. But probably not. I was nervous going into this article, because I felt like “How the fuck am I going to explain to people who don’t know what we’re about and who aren’t a part of that political awareness?” Even my professor, and readers. But now I do feel better where I can really explain that to people, and I think people can really recognize it. It’s people who recognize their power or their potential to build power and are coming to the community to build up the people. I’ll explain it that way. That’s the thing--this article isn’t meant to be another propaganda piece--”This is what real revolutionaries do!” (said in mocking tone). That’s kind of bullshit. Really recognizing that we’re building and we’re at that point--we’re all different but we share the idea that we’re here for the community and we’re here to help people overcome the struggles that are with them right now. I think that can really resonate with people--contextualizing the struggle, since it’s a genuine struggle. The intent is to not only funnel resources to the community but work with the community to the point where they can build their own community and return worth back to the people.

Veronica talked about that. The fact that they feel like as a foreigner there is a sense of alienation. Veronica is from Italy and every time they’re on the street they feel like they can’t make eye contact with people and can’t really be present with the community because they aren’t part of the community as “foreigners.” Veronica did say that when they’re at the table there is a place for them. They can actually engage people as people. People come to the table and look at them in the eyes and recognize them for who they are and their inherent worth as human beings.

Veronica didn’t really talk about the political context, in comparison to Liz who went straight in: this is what we’re doing and what we’re trying to protract. That was from my first few questions that I asked and I was like “Oh shit, okay, this is cool.” But then Veronica was like “it’s recognizing people. It’s people.” And that’s the gist of what the struggle is. Empowering people. Humans. Recognizing that these statuses imposed on them are killing them and using those imposed senses and expectations on people and weaponizing them within the community. It really comes down to that. We just want to be humans, and help other humans, and we want to build human power.

Ed-<laughs>

I don’t know. I’m doing this because I genuinely think of you all as my comrades. I want to be able to put that out there for everyone to know what we’re about and to get people to recognize us. All of you are awesome. I want that to be on paper, you know? I want more people to know. I think about it often: how can I write this? How can I put this on paper? I don’t know. I’m a weirdo.

Linh-Communists are weirdos!

Ed-That is part of the realization, yeah. Most people organizing are not normal. And it’s a good thing not being normal. Thank you. I appreciate your support. You’ve been really caring ever since I entered the group. To add: you were talking about recognizing your own self-value and being content. I just wanted to tell you that I have a lot of respect for what you do--not only for the organizing, but as a person too. You’re a really good person and I really appreciate your soul, what you’re about. You’re pretty cool <laughs>. I really appreciate that and I’m glad that you’re my comrade.

Linh-Thank you, Eduardo. I’m glad you’re my comrade. I definitely see you as that. Thank you!

Ed-Your welcome! Thank you so much again.

Linh-I’ll talk to you soon! We’re always talking on IG and stuff.

Ed-Ye, ye, yeah. Alrighty! Night!

Linh-Night!