Homeless in the South Bay: In their own words- Al Barrera, Jr.
Photo Al Barrera’s slurred words are difficult to understand at first, but he carries a certain charm that progressively overrides that minor impediment. Lines of wrinkles embellish his deep-set hazel eyes. His under bite reveals his crooked bottom teeth, and fresh stubble peppers his leathered face. A trucker hat sits pressed on his head, partially hiding the wild wisps of his curly grey hair. Yet what’s most noticeable about Barrera, who is 58, is the unadulterated enthusiasm he relays, whether he is recalling the alcoholism that led him to the streets, the drug dealing that briefly kept him off the streets or his spending his nights under the Hermosa Beach pier for nearly 30 years. He is not enthusiastic about the past, but he appears to have made his peace with the present. — Esther Kang In his own words: It started on January 7, 1954 when I was born in Torrance Memorial. My parents were always into God, so from an early age I always loved God. I took all these classes, and then all of a sudden I just started screwing up. Drinking too much. Then it became a haze because I turned into a real heavy alcoholic, but I’m not so bad now. That took me to the streets. Alcohol is the…
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