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Jenny Burman excerpts at Chicken Corner a lively online discussion on the identity and history of the term Eastside, as a descriptor of place in Los Angeles. It really is amazing how many versions are out there. All well intentioned, though I'll never understand those who deduce that there has to be matched "east side" and "west side" halves in any city, let alone in this one. As an L.A. native it never occurred to me that anyone would think you were one or the other: Eastside or Westside. Most Angelenos don't live either place, and never have. The two terms have always functioned independently of each other in the LA. context, and usually have been seen as modifying a location in relation to the center. Anyway, while you're following Jenny's discussion, here are some of the previous LA Observed posts on the city's peculiar geography.
Why Los Angeles leans to the right
Oops, Google Maps robot drinking again
L.A. geography baffles the Times again *
Help re-name the faux Eastside
Now it's the Westside being stretched
Los Angeles mag goes 'Eastside'
Latino bloggers of L.A.
Chicano rock and the first Eastside
East side media: New Angeles Monthly, Arthur and American Apparel
* Also this: The New York Post this week discovers the Echo Park - Angelino Heights - Silverlake - Los Feliz corridor and calls it the east side of town.