Behind the Barrio Logan documentary

During my first month living and working as a visual journalist in San Diego, I began exploring Barrio Logan with the simple goal of connecting with residents and learning more about the community.

As a newcomer to the city, having moved to California in July 2021 after spending years as a journalist at The Austin-american Statesman, I was immediately struck by what I saw. There were people fishing on the pier next to the shipbuilding industry; bigrig trucks plowing up and down the streets, passing Perkins Elementary School; and smoke billowing from facilities behind people’s homes.

As I began meeting with residents to introduce myself, I started to ask the question: How could this be possible?

The more I listened, the more I learned about the history of the community. I wanted readers to hear that history and that struggle directly from the people who were affected and who were fighting on the front lines for policy changes that promised a less-polluted future for the community.

That’s where “Que Viva El Barrio” began to develop, and I started producing a video that focused on people and not just policies. The result is a 22-minute documentary.

It was initially difficult finding locals to discuss the issues on camera, both because I’m new to California, and because there’s a historical cautiousness and distrust by residents about how the media cover their community.

But then I met Julie Corrales, a Barrio Logan resident and the Environmental Health Coalition’s policy advocate. She told me about the Barrio Logan Community Plan update and how the decadeslong fight to see it passed. From there I spoke to residents, doctors, advocates, business owners and anyone else who was open to talking on and off the record. Many people expressed the same concern, particularly parents. They all wanted a cleaner community.

On Dec. 7, 2022, the day the San Diego City Council was set to vote on the plan update, I sat in Corrales’ home with her as she attended the virtual meeting and captured her screaming with joy as the city unanimously voted to approve the update. That became the opening and closing scenes of the documentary.

The residents’ continued determination to make their neighborhood better for their families and future generations was not only inspiring but is what truly makes Barrio Logan unique and beautiful. I’m grateful to those who trusted me and shared their stories.

The documentary “Que Viva El Barrio” can be accessed on the U-T’S website at sandiegouniontribune.com.

Ana Ramirez