Talk:Compton, California

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This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Compton, California article.

Contents

[edit] Compton/Woodley Airport

I have restored the paragraph about Compton/Woodley Airport. Frankly I can't understand why it was removed. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 6 July 2005 15:59 (UTC)

[edit] The mysterious capital "F"

In the second sentence, someone keeps changing the "f" in "formerly" to a capital "F," though it is not the beginning of a sentence. The "also" at the beginning of the same sentence seems unnecessary, though it keeps re-appearing as well. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 04:36, 25 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Bug 1150 (maybe): Problems with editing

As some of you may have noticed, there are strange things going on with this article. If you make more than one edit within a few minutes' time it seems to cache a previous version of the article, so along with your own edit it includes an earlier edit by some other editor. I think this may be related to Bug 1150, in which case another symptom is this page disappearing from your watchlist and/or edits not showing up in the page history.

If you make multiple edits, double-check what is in the edit window and make sure whether you are editing the most recent version of the article. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 17:42, 12 September 2005 (UTC)

P.S. I think this bug could explain the problems I described above on this talk page. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 17:43, 12 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] transportation

a lot of the transportation info was mysteriously deleted so i reinserted it. please let me know if it was intentionally deleted for any reason. thanks --SameerKhan 09:34, 4 October 2005 (UTC)

Check the previous section. This has happened to me, too, and I think it's related to a bug. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 20:45, 4 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Famous People

I just added three famous people from Compton. I don't understand why they were deleted. Are two Presidents of the United States and a former NFL commissioner not famous? I was going to add Kevin Costner, but could not confirm that he lived in Compton and also Eazy-E lived in the city of Compton, which he alos made a song named "Straight Outta Compton" it falls under Gangsta Rap. -- Igbo (talk) 4:28, 17 October 2005 (UTC)

Sounds like Bug 1150 again, see my previous comments. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 19:05, 18 October 2005 (UTC)
I've added the names again. Hopefully it works this time.--Igbo 20:45, 18 October 2005 (UTC)
I don't think it is a bug. Someone is intentionally deleting some of the names. --Igbo 20:04, 31 October 2005 (UTC)
It's really hard to spot. This edit makes it appear as though you re-added George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush to the list, though I am certain you did not (at least not intentionally - it has something to do with an old, cached version being uploaded by mistake). -- Gyrofrog (talk) 06:50, 1 November 2005 (UTC)
No, I did add those names again. This is the third time that they have been deleted. Apparently someone has a big issue about the Bush family being identified with Compton. They didn't delete the other name I added at the same time. Nor was Pete Rozelle deleted (although he was the FIRST time he was added). Robin Bush, W's oldest sister was BORN in Compton. What more does one need? --Igbo 07:38, 1 November 2005 (UTC)
Well sorry, I was completely confused. You can assume that many people, including myself, know nothing of the Bushes living in Compton (to the degree that I, for one, completely misread one of your comments). Note that neither of the two articles, nor Robin Bush, make any mention of it whatsoever. , you might want to indicate the years that they lived in Compton; I think most people see these lists and assume it indicates that the person was born there (though you could indicate that specifically where Robin is concerned). However, as this is something that many people don't know about, it would be to everyone's benefit if you cited a source of the info. Again, sorry for the confusion. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 17:49, 1 November 2005 (UTC)
First of all, one need only access the official Compton website for information about the Bush family living there. Specifically, you can visit their City Achiever's page.

As far as Robin Bush being born in Compton, there's a biographical source on the U.S. Presidents which includes information on their respective siblings (I'll have to look up the exact source again). The California birth index lists a Pauline Pierce Bush (as opposed to Pauline Robinson Bush) born on December 20, 1949 in Los Angeles County (where Compton is located). Her mother's maiden name is also listed as Pierce (which of course is Barbara Bush's maiden name). Also, having known some people who worked for the City of Compton, I've been told that there was a proposal to place a plaque or some sort of monument at the Bush homestead (I believe it was on Santa Fe Avenue), but it was voted down.

Obviously, the family did not live in Compton a long time because George W. Bush was born in New England and the remaining siblings were born in Texas. However, the fact that they lived there is significant, because it gives you a sense of how the city has evolved over the years. In other words, the Compton of 1949 was very different from the Compton of today. Around the time of Robin's birth, Compton was basically a white working class suburb. Segregation had just been struck down by the California Supreme Court and since Compton was in close proximity to the Watts area of Los Angeles (where most blacks lived at the time), it was only natural that it was among the first places that blacks moved. In fact, Yvonne Arceneaux, who currently serves on the Compton City Council moved to Compton in 1949.

Also, the disproportionate number of rappers listed as "Famous People From Compton" in the article gives a rather distorted view of the people who lived there. I have nothing against rap, but to suggest that Compton has only produced rap artists (and the occassional athlete) is like saying that Iowa only produces corn farmers. As a result, I've tried to add a few others that were achievers in other fields (like the Bush family, some have been added more than once). For example, Frank K. Wheaton, a sports agent and personal manager who has represented such diverse clients as Laker great James Worthy, Marla Gibbs, Essie Mae Williams (Strom Thurman's daughter) and has produced special events with Milton Berle and Michael Jordan, has spent a good part of his life in and around Compton. If you visit Compton's website, you'll also see some of these same people listed.

To sum it all up, let's not stereotype Compton. Like many communities, it has it's share of problems, but it is also a city with a rich and diverse history.

--Igbo 08:23, 4 November 2005 (UTC)


This isn't the source I was referring to, but mention of the Bush family in Compton can be found in American First Ladies: Their Lives and Their Legacy, edited by Lewis L. Gould (New York & London: Garland Publishing, 1996). --Igbo 19:20, 5 November 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for your explanation and for your effort! -- Gyrofrog (talk) 04:46, 6 November 2005 (UTC)
Well, the Bush's have been deleted once again despite two different sources that confirmed that they lived in Compton. However, these sources were not deleted. The Los Angeles Times source from 1992, which talks about then-Mayor Walter R. Tucker III's proposal to make the former Bush residence a city landmark confirmed that the family lived in an apartment at 624 South Santa Fe Avenue.

I give up. --Igbo 07:06, 10 November 2005 (UTC)

I've just re-added them, FWIW. I did include a note that they were former residents duirng the '40s and '50s. Unless someone can convince me that they are not notable residents then I will continue to revert further deletions, if/when I see them. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 20:53, 10 November 2005 (UTC)


Thanks--Igbo 02:32, 12 November 2005 (UTC)
I have also added a citation to the George Bush Presidential Library web site which shows a photo of George W. and Robin Bush in Compton in 1949. I hadn't known before that the Bushes lived in Compton (albeit briefly) but it certainly seems worthy of inclusion in this article. --Metropolitan90 05:37, 13 November 2005 (UTC)
Changed the title from "Famous People from Compton, California" to "Famous Natives and Notable Residents", as not all the people listed are actually from Compton, but merely lived there for a period of time. --204.152.176.70 17:27, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] More on the Bushes

Recently an anonymous editor removed all the references to George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush having lived in Compton. However, it is verifiable that they lived there, albeit briefly: During this period, Bush and his family moved several times, living successively in Odessa, Texas; Ventura, Bakersfield, and Compton, California; and Midland, Texas. [1] Is there anyone here who has a specific objection to mentioning the Bushes in the list of famous people from Compton, noting their brief residence there in the 1940s and 1950s? --Metropolitan90 07:49, 14 December 2005 (UTC)

No, I have no objections to you doing it and I think it's very relevant, considering they are some of the most well known and famous family in the world. The anonymous user was possibly anti-bush or had some POV issue. Additionally no explanation was provided. --Bigj
If there aren't any reasonable objections, I'm going to revert the article back to Metropolitan90's changes to reflect the Bushs' presence in Compton, though I'm having some trouble with loading the history page. Bigj 01:22, 16 December 2005 (UTC)
See my comments in the previous section. I've got this article on my Watchlist so I try to help out with this whenever I notice it. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 03:29, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Confusing Sentence

"In 2005 Compton had at least 68 gun related murders, which is more than other North American cities had."

What is this sentence supposed to mean? what exactly does "more than other north american cities had" mean exactly? No other city in north american had more than 68 gun related deaths? I find that hard to believe. (Brodey)

[edit] NPOV Issue

"Today, Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the city, although many people still think of Compton as a primarily "black" community. One reason for this is that despite the shift in population, as of 2005 blacks continue to dominate local politics, holding all elected positions in the city. Much in the same way that whites attempted to thwart black participation in Compton politics in the 1950s, blacks today have made no serious effort to include the growing Latino population into the political process"

This section seems to take a biased stance without proving adequate factual basis.

[edit] Needs citation

I have removed the following text from the article. Please cite a reference before restoring it:

""Struggling rappers and Hip-Hop artists are widely known to be involved in 89% of crime in Compton. Most notoriously, Sam "I'm So Hood" Smith, rapper from "the block", is known for his achievements in crime. There are stories about him taking out over 50 people in a chinese restaurant on Christmas. There were three survivors."

-- Gyrofrog (talk) 16:13, 10 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Cleanup

This artcile is in bad shape. Can someone please clean it up? In particular, the parts about gang violence. Also no coherent order?? I don't have time right now but may come back... 88.110.36.228 17:23, 7 July 2006 (UTC)


1. Removed text: The most well-known Latino gangs for example are the Compton Varrio Tortilla Flats, Compton Varrio 70's, Compton Varrio Largo 36, and the Compton Varrio Alondra. The most infamous and well-known gangs, however, are the African American gangs, the Crips and the Bloods. Some of the most well-known Crips and Bloods gangs are Fruit Town Piru (Blood), Westside Piru (Blood), Campenella Park Piru (Blood), MOB Piru (Blood), Tree Top Piru (Blood), Nutty Blocc (Crip), Southside (Crip), Santana Blocc (Crip), Tragniew Park (Crip), Palmer Blocc (Crip), Duccy Hood (Crip) and Kelly Park (Crip).

2. Moved gang activity from lead paragraph to crime section Postoak 07:55, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

3. Added inline references, existing references were not noted in the article, perhaps the original editor can fix this? Postoak 08:30, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

4. Resequenced paragraphs in Crime section of article Postoak 08:57, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

5. Format notes and further reading sections Postoak 18:29, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

6. Add infobox and moved existing map to it. Postoak 19:54, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

7. Moved notable and native residents to subpage Postoak 01:47, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] gangsterism

I removed a randomly placed section on the dangerousness of Compton and its gangsterism, not becuase this isn't true, but because it was POV and read like a child wrote it. Stardog101 19:32, 28 November 2006 (UTC)stardog101

[edit] Straight Outta Compton

Is there a reason this classic album is not alluded to somewhere in the article? Or has no one got around to adding it yet? I think this album is the first thing many people think of when they hear the word "Compton."--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back 02:56, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Be bold. Add it yourself. ;) -Will Beback · † · 04:43, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

OK, but first I wanted to check if I was getting in the middle of some previous edit war--whether to include it or not to include it.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back 04:58, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

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