Cultural Heritage Ordinance Revisions — Monuments, Diversity, and Democracy

Posted: November 20th, 2008
UPDATE!  The City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission unanimously recommended today that the City Council revise the Cultural Heritage Ordinance to include, among other things, the provision promoting democracy, diversity, and freedom or reflects the diversity of Los Angeles!  Now the organizing effort turns to the City Council . . .
On November 20, 2008, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission will consider proposed revisions to the Cultural Heritage Ordinance that would promote monuments that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles.  
The National Latino Congreso, UCLA Prof. Judy Baca and SPARC, LULAC, Mujeres de la Tierra, and The City Project enthusiastically support the proposed revisions providing that a monument may be designated if it meets the following criterion:
Demonstrates historic significance because it reflects or exemplifies the diversity of Los Angeles, including, but not limited to, the important contributions of people of color, women, and workers; or because it stimulates and promotes a greater understanding of diversity, democracy, and freedom.

Cultural, historical and artistic monuments should reflect the diversity of a place and its people. People of color and women have been vital to the creation of Los Angeles throughout the history of the City and the area.

Yet with almost 900 official cultural and historical landmarks in the City of Los Angeles as of January 2008, only about 76 relate to people of color, women, and Native American tribes. Images of 60 of those diverse monuments are shown in The City Project’s Monuments, Diversity and Democracy gallery on flickr.

Until now, things have not been getting better as Los Angeles has grown increasingly diverse — only about 16 out of 199 monuments added since 2000 relate to people of color or women.

The proposed revisions would promote diversity, democracy, and freedom.  

We also enthusiastically support the proposed revisions to protect Native American sites.

Please download the public comments submitted by The City Project, Prof. Judy Baca and SPARC, LULAC, and Mujeres de la Tierra supporting the proposed revisions. 
View the National Latino Congreso Resolution on Monuments, Diversity, and Democracy here.
187 Korean Bell and Belfry of Friendship Angel's Gate Park by The City Project.
CHM 187 Korean Bell and Belfry of Friendship Angel’s Gate Park. Photo Nicolas Garcia.