Monday, January 30, 2006
The Latinization of the Westside
Almost overlooked amid the turmoil swirling around the
immigration screening issue here in Costa Mesa, the Westside
revitalization is rapidly coming to the forefront these days,
with the preliminary plans making their way through the process
and hungry developers poised like so many vultures, waiting to
swoop down on our fair city. That's not necessarily bad, in my
view.
One apparently ignored element of these plans has been on my mind lately, though. Through all the dialogue over many years I don't recall any mention of the role the approximately 60% of the population of the Westside - the Latinos - will play in this renaissance. Since people of Latino heritage make up nearly a third of the residents of this city, it seems short-sighted and foolhardy to make plans for the area without consideration of how these folks will be folded into the scheme. Unless, of course, you plan for them to be gone.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary, assume for a moment that there is not a plot to expunge the Latinos from the Westside. If that's the case, then why not try to blend their rich heritage and culture into the plans for the improvement of the area in which they live? We already have a wonderful Performing Arts district which, especially when combined with South Coast Plaza and MetroPointe, makes a world class destination. Why not give the Westside a Latin theme, with architectural and landscaping designs to emphasize that theme - a place where the majority demographic can participate and feel proud? I'm not suggesting the look of Los Angeles' Olvera Street or the shanty towns of Tijuana. I'm not suggesting we tear up the pavement, leaving dirt roads. I'm suggesting a much more upscale Latin look to the area - at least the parts of the Westside that are to be included in the revitalization process.
Over the years there has been much conversation and many essays written about how shabby the Westside is looking these days. Perhaps, if that part of town had a distinct Latin flavor, the Latinos would feel more at home and do a better job of discouraging graffiti and trash. Perhaps, if they felt some "ownership" in the process and had a real voice in the look of the area they might feel more pride in their surroundings and do a better job of maintaining it. Perhaps the venerable Fish Fry evolves into the Costa Mesa Fiesta on or around May 5th, with Lions Park as the focal point. It could become a signature event where every resident of the city - not just the Latinos - could have fun and be proud of our city. Perhaps...
I can hear the long-time Westside anglo residents screaming already. Well, despite what our young mayor has in mind with his plan to authorize the Costa Mesa police to become immigration screeners, the Latinos among us are here to stay. They are the fastest growing group in this city. Like it or not, they represent the wave of the future in this town and this state. As I've said many times before, unless we find a way to harness and direct the energy of that wave we will be drowned by it. Maybe blending their ideas, heritage and culture into the Westside revitalization is a place to start.
10:39 am pst
One apparently ignored element of these plans has been on my mind lately, though. Through all the dialogue over many years I don't recall any mention of the role the approximately 60% of the population of the Westside - the Latinos - will play in this renaissance. Since people of Latino heritage make up nearly a third of the residents of this city, it seems short-sighted and foolhardy to make plans for the area without consideration of how these folks will be folded into the scheme. Unless, of course, you plan for them to be gone.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary, assume for a moment that there is not a plot to expunge the Latinos from the Westside. If that's the case, then why not try to blend their rich heritage and culture into the plans for the improvement of the area in which they live? We already have a wonderful Performing Arts district which, especially when combined with South Coast Plaza and MetroPointe, makes a world class destination. Why not give the Westside a Latin theme, with architectural and landscaping designs to emphasize that theme - a place where the majority demographic can participate and feel proud? I'm not suggesting the look of Los Angeles' Olvera Street or the shanty towns of Tijuana. I'm not suggesting we tear up the pavement, leaving dirt roads. I'm suggesting a much more upscale Latin look to the area - at least the parts of the Westside that are to be included in the revitalization process.
Over the years there has been much conversation and many essays written about how shabby the Westside is looking these days. Perhaps, if that part of town had a distinct Latin flavor, the Latinos would feel more at home and do a better job of discouraging graffiti and trash. Perhaps, if they felt some "ownership" in the process and had a real voice in the look of the area they might feel more pride in their surroundings and do a better job of maintaining it. Perhaps the venerable Fish Fry evolves into the Costa Mesa Fiesta on or around May 5th, with Lions Park as the focal point. It could become a signature event where every resident of the city - not just the Latinos - could have fun and be proud of our city. Perhaps...
I can hear the long-time Westside anglo residents screaming already. Well, despite what our young mayor has in mind with his plan to authorize the Costa Mesa police to become immigration screeners, the Latinos among us are here to stay. They are the fastest growing group in this city. Like it or not, they represent the wave of the future in this town and this state. As I've said many times before, unless we find a way to harness and direct the energy of that wave we will be drowned by it. Maybe blending their ideas, heritage and culture into the Westside revitalization is a place to start.
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