Patricia G. Siever
In 1926 Carter G. Woodson initiated the celebration of Black History Week in February which corresponded to the February birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the celebration of Black History expanded to Black History Month.
CULVER CITY: PAST
As a Professor of History, I will start from the past that I know regarding Culver City and will end with a few recommendations for the future.
Being born and raised in Los Angeles, when I was a teen, I was cautioned that Culver City was one city where African Americans were not welcomed and that we should “just drive through, because it was parochial and racist." So, as teenagers, when we were going to the Santa Monica beach, we took Washington Boulevard and absolutely did not stop in Culver City.
After completion of my education at UCLA, in 1973, my family moved to Blair Hills, Culver City which was, and still is, an integrated and beautiful community. The neighbors were intelligent, active and wonderful. I became active in the Linda Vista Elementary school as Vice President of the PTA, and later became Membership Chair of the Blair Hills Home Owners Association. My four children received a very good education within the Culver City Unified School District: they were active in athletics, the marching band, the school newspaper and other school clubs and organizations.
As an activist and community organizer in Los Angeles, I wanted to get involved in Culver City. Well, shortly, I learned that the City was not “ready” for an African American female activist, so I became politically active in the Los Angeles Community College District – and, in statewide organizations in Sacramento; wherein, two Governors (Pete Wilson and Gray Davis) appointed me to the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors. (See: Abbreviated Biography on the CCUSD website).
CULVER CITY: PRESENT
How far has Culver City come in regards to realistically embracing, engaging and utilizing the intellect and talent of its rich politically diverse ethnic communities? Well, let’s take a quick inventory:
“Congratulations” go to Bill Wynn who will become the first African American elected as President to the Culver City Democratic Club. Bill has worked hard for Culver City, volunteering his time and energy to causes and organizations, like the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee. Commendations are definitely in order to the Democratic Club for electing such a wonderful humanist as Bill Wynn.
Another first for the City and for African Americans was the election of Saundra Davis, for two terms (8 years) as a Board member for the CCUSD. Saundra worked hard for the children of Culver City and has, permanently, left her grace and her dynamic imprint upon the CCUSD and Culver City.
In regards to Culver City’s growth in the area of “diversity and inclusion,” the Culver City Council has made meaningful strides by:
• Appointing several African Americans to various City Commissions & committees: Marcus Tiggs, Dr. Luther Henderson, MaryAnn Green and Vernon Taylor.
• Supporting , over the last eight years, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, which has, annually, celebrated the legacy of Dr. King.
• Housing the illustrious and expansive Mayme Clayton Museum in Culver City. This Museum houses the largest collection of rare and qualitative African American films, books, art, original documents and manuscripts in the entire Western United States. The Museum has the potential of eventually being equal to New York’s world famous Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture .
CULVER CITY: FUTURE
“How can Culver City increase the participation of its diverse multi-ethnic population in the political and cultural arenas of Culver City Affairs?”
1. Instead of some people and politicians saying that “…there’s no need to go to Fox Hills or Blair Hills, because they don’t vote…” there should be a realistic and concerted commitment to effectively communicate ( newspapers, meetings, public hearings and recruitment…) recruit, and get involvement from communities such as Blair Hills, Fox Hills and other diverse communities. All of the aforementioned could bring a new, globally diverse, intellectually strong and broadly effective political voice to Culver City affairs.
2. Our officially elected and unofficial (“the old Guard…”) leaders should be in the forefront of a well organized, public crusade to ensure that all of our committees, organizations and official events reflect the demographic diversity of Culver City. One way of getting people involved is to keep them informed and let them know that they are welcome to participate within Culver City affairs. For example, since Culver City has such a large Spanish speaking community, all civic meetings, hearings and such, should have an interpreter (perhaps a teacher or a student proficient in Spanish) who would translate the events in Spanish to these residents. “If the people won’t go to the Mountain, bring the Mountain to the People…”
3. The Culver City political and community “Old Guard” should realize and embrace the fact that there are new and diverse generations continually moving into Culver City who are not, nor will they be, programmed to parochial ways and thinking. Much of our new generation brings to Culver City an expansive and inclusive view of the world - as a global neighborhood, not just the narrow, parochial neighborhood view. This is an opportunity for our “leaders” to rethink and evaluate their own political “modus operandi." They should listen to (and speak with) the new generation and encourage them to become active in Culver City, after all, “… the train has certainly, left the station…”
In closing, I understand that the “status quo” adherents fear change for economic, political and social reasons. Positive change will be prevalent in Culver City’s future. Culver City can be the shining exemplary beacon of equity and diversity. And yes, it will be the modern “City Upon a Hill.”
Patricia G. Siever is a Member of the Culver City School Board, the Former Chair of the Culver City Martin Luther King Planning Committee, and a Professor of History of West Los Angeles College.
No comments:
Post a Comment