Blog #16.
It was 21 years ago today that I finally moved out of Los Angeles.
I moved to Albuquerque.
I wanted to completely get out of the shadow of my mom and grandma.
I wanted my own identity.
I wanted to be me.
It hasn't been easy.
I've struggled with my health. I've struggled financially. Ended up homeless for two months after getting laid off and blackballed for talking to local news. Moved into a motel as soon as I finally found a job.
12 years later,I'm still on that same job. I still live in that motel. Only now,that motel has been turned into affordable housing for low-income residents and seniors.
I'm semi-retired. I started social security in 2022 at age 60.
I’ve been working since age 4. Early 1966. A local toy commercial in Los Angeles. Made a grand total of $50 for the filming. As the “token ethnic kid”.
Time to slow down.
Yeah,I could have moved to Las Vegas like almost every other Black person in LA was doing. But I knew I wouldn't be happy there.
I could have moved to Atlanta. I knew I would struggle there.
Instead,I moved here to Albuquerque. Started my life over.
I nearly moved to Philadelphia in 2016. Changed my mind at the last minute and stayed here.
That may be the best decision I ever made.
Ivey Janette McClelland
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