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21-FEB-2005 dorys

Chicano Park *

San Diego, CA

We had a small break in the weather today so I talked my hubby into driving me around San Diego. My first stop is not referenced in most tour books of "what to see while in San Diego." However, Chicano Park plays a significant role for the historical and cultural influence of Mexican-Americans in California.

Established in 1970, Chicano Park is built underneath the very west end of the Coronado Bridge. The sign reads "neighborhood yes, yankies no!" In other words, white Americans are not welcome. That was evident by the looks we received while I was trying to take photos. Infact, all my shots are "drive by shootings." Appropriate for an area known for drive by shootings of the lethal kind.


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Guest 27-Feb-2005 22:10
You've got a keen eye. Although you say, you didn't notice what was written on the wall until later, however I think you knew that probably captured a gem.
Rod 25-Feb-2005 20:02
Me too Dorys:-)
ctfchallenge23-Feb-2005 20:05
Nugar-si hablo espanol! my parents came from Cuba in 1960. I was born in L.A. They taught me both languages as I was growing up. Good thing because pretty soon all Californians are going to need to speak spanish pretty soon! The funny thing I know many Mexicans that don't speak a lick of spanish. They'll need to learn it too. :-)

Rod-interesting irony all around because depending on what history you believe, Mexico took this part of North America from the indians and then the Americans of the time took it from Mexico... but that's ok, slowly but surely the Native Indians will reclaim the land through their casinos. As we lose our money to them they become more politically powerful and can lobby our government with our cash. So what goes around comes around in the end. I'm just going to enjoy my time as best I can! :-)
Rod 23-Feb-2005 10:17
Good points Humberto,
Nugar wrote "What strikes me as interesting is that they reject the people that give them a land to live!"
I wonder if the American Indians would see the irony in your statement:-)
PhotoNUT 23-Feb-2005 06:18
Great photo for this topic. Good job!!
alexeig23-Feb-2005 00:48
Hmmm ... yankees not allowed in US???
Nugar22-Feb-2005 23:08
The saddest thing is that "barrio" is spelled wrong. It means that appart from everything, at least the painters of the sign have a low education level. Which of course most probably accounts for the "xenophobic" feelings. (Is it xeno if you're the xeno?)

What strikes me as interesting is that they reject the people that give them a land to live!

Dorys, ¿hablas español?

PS. For those who don't know me, I'm Panamanian by birth and of course hispanic too.
ctfchallenge22-Feb-2005 17:29
darn it. i meant "inevitably." ~dorys
Guest 22-Feb-2005 17:07
Thanks Rod & Lonnit. The funny thing is i didn't realize what the sign said because I was trying to get out of the area quickly. Not until I got home and actually read it did I realize how horrible it is. I can go off on this subject for hours. It's a very sensitive point with me since I too am hispanic. Cuban! and my husband is a blond haired blued-eyed AMERICAN. If this sign was in a white neighborhood and said just the opposite "...no one but whites allowed" it would be all over the news media as hate speech, there would be massive protests and inevidently would be removed.

Anyway, it is really too bad because the art work in this park, other than the hate speech, is fantastic. I could spend hours here just shooting photographs.
Rod 22-Feb-2005 09:37
You little beauty Dorys, looking at your three shots you have certainly grabbed this topic by the......well you know wot I mean then:-) Me three favourite girls You Gayle & Lonnit have really produced just what I was after in this topic. Have I got you three girls well trained or wot? I love this shot & story Dorys though it's a bit sad to see this sentiment expressed so boldly & skilfully under the bridge. You did really well risking your life for my little challenge Dorys. Which is more than Gayle & Lonnit did:-)
ctfchallenge22-Feb-2005 03:25
Very sad. It looks so pretty. I just don't understand why people can't get along. I live in a wonderfully blended neighborhood and I cant' imagine leaving. My children's classmates are from all around the globe. One day, in the minute it took be to walk from the school to my car I passed 3 sets of people in conversation - I heard 3 different languages! It felt so wonderful! ~ Lonnit