Behind the truth of "The Land Of The Free" Slab City

As a class assignment in my English 110, my professor Mr. Lewenstein encourages his students to part take in a Community Research Topic that currently has a positive or negative  impact our community here in the Imperial Valley. The following is my Cause and Effect Support - Double-Sided Journal that I would like to share with my viewers, analyzing both sides of the story from my perspective.  

(Summery:) In the cover story “Land Of The Free,” the article describes Slab City as a tragic indictment of the modern economy, a scree of human debris washed up by society. The writer suggest that Slab City begins to resemble the post - apocalyptic era by emphasizing that most people living in the Slabs are dirt poor toothless bums, who are either drug addicts, or convicts who are running away from their past. As a result, Slabbers don’t work, and unlawfully occupy the land.	(Reflection:) Although the writer does have a point by suggesting many Slabbers are facing multiple economical hardships. I completely disagree that all residents of the Slabs should be viewed less than, or continue to be judged as individuals based upon their financial status.
(Paraphrase:) According to Bhattacharya, Sanjiv the author of the article, she insinuates that Slabbers are not productive members of society; as a result, they run away from reality into the Slabs. In fear of becoming a burden to society; Slabbers opt on living in rural conditions such as inhabiting, or occupying an abandoned piece of land. Making the environment their primary resource, many Slabbers utilize broken RVs as their shelter making Slab City look as a waist-full piece of land.	(Reflection:) Poverty being on of the main causes that drives many individuals to live in Slab City. Many Slabbers continue to struggle to meet their basic necessities, regardless of living rent free. Most of the Slabbers are retirees who are living off their pensions just trying to make ends meet.
(Quotation:) “On my pension, free camping is all I can afford, It suits me because I’ve got arthritis, and Mexico’s only an hour away, so I can get cheap medicines,” sighs Ian, a 78-year old Slab City Slabber.	(Reflection:) Clearly there is a glitch in our system, for allowing senior citizens to solely rely on Social Security checks to make a living. We live in modern America, yet many American citizens do not have access to proper health care in the United States. Is this the America we like to stand for?

    In the cover story “Land Of The Free,” the article describes Slab City as a tragic indictment of the modern economy, a scree of human debris washed up by society. The writer suggest that Slab City begins to resemble the post - apocalyptic era by emphasizing that most people living in the Slabs are dirt poor toothless bums, who are either drug addicts, or convicts who are running away from their past. As a result, Slabbers don’t work, and unlawfully occupy the land. Although the writer does have a point by suggesting many Slabbers are facing multiple economical hardships. I completely disagree that all residents of the Slabs should be viewed less than, or continue to be judged as individuals based upon their financial status. According to Bhattacharya, Sanjiv the author of the article, she insinuates that Slabbers are not productive members of society; as a result, they run away from reality into the Slabs. In fear of becoming a burden to society; Slabbers opt on living in rural conditions such as inhabiting, or occupying an abandoned piece of land. Making the environment their primary resource, many Slabbers utilize broken RVs as their shelter making Slab City look as a waist-full piece of land. Poverty being on of the main causes that drives many individuals to live in Slab City. Many Slabbers continue to struggle to meet their basic necessities, regardless of living rent free. Most of the Slabbers are retirees who are living off their pensions just trying to make ends meet. “On my pension, free camping is all I can afford, It suits me because I’ve got arthritis, and Mexico’s only an hour away, so I can get cheap medicines,” sighs Ian, a 78-year old Slab City Slabber. Clearly there is a glitch in our system, for allowing senior citizens to solely rely on Social Security checks to make a living. We live in modern America, yet many American citizens do not have access to proper health care in the United States. Is this the America we like to stand for?

The Powerful Message - Salvation Mountain

In Mr. Lewestein's class, English 110, As part of my Community Profile research topic, I've selected to write about the potential hazards that Salvation Mountain, located in Slab City faced at the time, due to its high levels of lead found in the paint. If such beautiful mountain poses a threat t the environment, should it be taken down ? Go ahead and read my summary of research article, and find out!

According to the Los Angeles Times, in the article Slab City Showdown Artwork May Be Bulldozed as an Environmental Hazard, written by Tony Perry. The author further explains how artist Leonard Knight’s visionary masterpiece known as Salvation Mountain, may poses a threat to the environment due to the high toxic levels of lead found in the soil. Knight who worked countless days and nights painting a mound with Biblical scriptures, such as The Sinner’s Prayer, and his deliberate message to the world by saying “GOD IS LOVE.” Leonard truly believed that his powerful statement would resonate among others, and his faith in God would reflect upon people all over the world by showing more love, and compassion towards one another. According to Perry, Salvation Mountain, yet alone Slab City itself began to gain popularity experiencing a diverse multitude of tourist like religious pilgrims, or a simple curious  seekers. In fact the mountains rising notability captured the attention of State Lands Commissioner staffer, Don Reese. As an elected official, Reese manages 5 millions acres of state land including the notorious “squatters paradise,” most popularly known as Slab City. On June 30, the commissioner staff held a meeting in Sacramento, and agreed to pass a budget of $225,000 to clean up Salvation Mountain, and the rest of Slab City. He insisted on proving his point by saying, “Expressing yourself is great, but not at the expense of the environment.” That's why test were conducted for Salvation Mountain to check for lead toxins found in the paint. On the other hand, as much as the Imperial County government would like to turn Slab City into a respectable, and profitable attraction. The county does not have a fixed budget, or proper funding to preserve the land. If the Imperial County was to be held liable for the cost; the Valley would suffer from many financial repercussions. Leonard described this stage of his life as a “toxic nightmare,” the negative toll effects it had on him, and his beloved mountain. To alleviate his tension, and nerves, Knight composed a country- western style song at in goes as follows:

“I contaminated California with a four-inch hand paintbrush,

 All I ever wanted to do was be an artist.

 Lord Jesus I gave them my best.

 California is going to hang me tomorrow,

 And put my body to rest.”

 Despite of all the commotion, Leonard Knight stayed true to himself, and his religious principles. Perry, makes a concluding statement by saying the following “He is not mad at anyone.” He loves even those who would remove Salvation Mountain, although he is mystified at the whole process.

Slab City, A Lawless City In America.

In my English 110 class at Imperial Valley College, my professor Mr. Lewestein encourages his students to be involved in our community, and write an interesting research paper on a topic that has an impact on our community here in the Imperial Valley. I present to you the following :
Community Profile - My Free-write - Who? - What? - Where - Why?  

Slab City, A Lawless City In America.

"One Man's Trash, Is Another Man's Treasure,” and Slab City, is the perfect representation of it. Located in the Sonoran Desert, four miles northeast from a little town called Niland on Highway 111. You stumble across a bizarre growing community of squatters, snowbirds, and nomads. The “Slabbers,” more commonly known as “Squatters” are people who don’t have a permanent home, travel from place to place, and unlawfully occupy uninhibited land. However, such sweet freedom, does come with some controversy. Such site has no running water, sewage system, or official source of electricity. It is said the lack of government assistance, and prejudice of society is what drives these people to the free land of Slab City. With no rules, or laws people are free to do whatever they want, if you ask me that's  pretty wild! So, what’s the big fuss and commotion about this people, are they simply crazies, eccentrics, or plain old weirdos! Being a “Slabber,” is it considered a lifestyle choice, or can they be categorized as victims of today's economy or even worse, poverty? Something I’ve learned over the years is that you should “Never Judge a Book By Its Cover,” meaning you shouldn't prejudge the worth, or value of someone by its outward appearance. Most importantly, there is always two sides to every story, and when it comes to “Slabbers,” I want to get to the bottom of what drives them to live in such rural conditions. “Slab City,” is considered the last free place on earth, and quite frankly as odd, as it may sound, I see the beauty of it! I like to view the slabs as a little gem, out here in the harsh, dry, Sonoran Desert. Perhaps, you may recall the most popular slabber, the one and only Leonard Knight, the creator of Salvation Mountain. Through his artwork, Knight sends out a welcoming message to everyone who enters the Slabs by saying, “Love is Universal.” His work has been is now know as a national treasure, and featured in a mayor movie film named “Into the Wild.”   

The Diary Of a Young Girl - By Anne Frank

Book of My Past - The Hidden Truth 

 

At the time I was a freshman in high school when, I came across the book The Diary Of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank. It was in my history class that we began reading this book as a class assignment. In her diary, Anne writes about her experience growing up as a Jewish girl, during the time of Adolf Hitler's rule in the 1940. What struck me the most from this book, was the sinister actions that all Jewish people had to endure by the German Nazis.

At the time she was only thirteen years old when Anne, and her family had to hide out in a cellar. They lived with the fear of being separated as a family; as a result, they would be placed in a Nazi concentration camp. This book truly has an affect on any one who reads it. The reason why I recall this book from my past, only because this book was based on real facts. Her real thoughts, feelings, and emotions are recorded in her diary on a daily basis during WWII.

The most memorable part of the book it self, can be the fact that Anne had been confined two years in the cellar, only being able to capture the days sunlight through the windows. By doing so, even then they would face great danger, for peeking out through the windows. The book itself made me reflect on myself, and it teached me on how sometimes we can take the smallest things for granted. I would definitely recommend to any one enjoys reading non-fiction, and is willing to learn about the life of a Jewish girl during difficult times. The book is an eye opener, it would change, your perspective in life, and it will make you be more appreciative of all the smaller things in life.