controversy arises over baldwin park monument [la reconquista]

SPARC ^ | May 12, 2005 | Judy Baca

[La Enchiladita]

ARTIST STATEMENT By Judith F. Baca May 12, 2005

An “anti-illegal immigrant” group, Save Our State, of Ventura County, emboldened by their recent victory at the removal of a billboard referring to “Los Angeles, Mexico” is now demanding the removal of the wording on a twelve-year old monument in Baldwin Park, California, entitled Danzas Indigenas. I was commissioned to produce this work in 1993 by MTA and the City of Baldwin Park in collaboration with the Kate Diamond Architectural Group.

The monument consists of a 20 ft arch, 100 ft plaza and 400 ft train platform. Produced with extensive public input, the monument includes five languages: English, Spanish, Gabrielino, Chumash, Luiseño and is a layering of indigenous, Spanish and mestizo history, which is associated with the site.

Included also are the contemporary voices and diversity that is indicative of contemporary Baldwin Park. Asked to produce a work that was “mission in theme” that reflected the majority population of Latinos in the City of Baldwin Park, and in keeping with my practice as an artist for inclusion of community members in my design process, I designed this work to include the “past” and “present” of the region and the voices of local residents. Of particular interest to me was the sites proximity to the mission of San Gabriel. The arch in the Plaza is conceived of as a fragment of a mission arch. Its intention was to become a site of public memory for the people of Baldwin Park; to make visible their invisible history.

[1_Inch_Group]

BUMP for Dottie. Check out the video clips hosted over at putfile, there's links on a thread within the SOS site, search for baldwin.

I'm defying anyone to tell me there is no reconquista movement.

Watch the videos, then tell me it's my imagination, and it's no big deal.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Good work on post three, monkey! Heads up to others [quoting you]:

Wording on the monument, as quoted in Post 3:

One passage on the monument laments the presence of whites in America by stating, “It was better before they came.” The most offensive passage is a quote from Gloria Anzaldua, which reads:

“This land was Mexican once, was Indian always and is, And will be again.”

[La Enchiladita]

All it would take would be a good word from the President and simple action on his part, and we would not have to go through this. We should not have to go through this.

The head injury to Laura Dalton, the Minute woman, is being investigated as a DEADLY ASSAULT. Frankly, I think the President is complicit in all that we suffer because of the invasion.

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you both for writing. I see that two of us got our "guest" comments posted on their site.

Anyone who wishes a bone-chilling view into the reconquista/mexicano supremacy movement should read the opinions on that site.

BTTT for FReeper ACTION.

[La Enchiladita]

If you click on the link in the article, you will see the "monument." There's also an opportunity to read the comments on their forum and post your own. I know FReepers aren't shy!! ;-0

[La Enchiladita]

I like your name! If you have the chance to visit the SPARC site, it's quite easy to post your comments as a "guest." Once you read what the reconquista goon squad has to say, you will want to "share your thoughts" too!!

[La Enchiladita]

This woman is trying to incite a riot.

Yes, you can see they got wind of the SOS demo (hmmm...) and Judy Baca called forth her goon squad. You saw their signs and how they behaved. At least one of them is guilty of DEADLY ASSAULT on a 66 yr old white woman. Yes, I said WHITE! Is that racist?

[William Terrell]

How do I read the comments without registering?

[television is just wrong]

the way things are set up, only white people can be racist. Everything else is swept under the carpet.

[janetgreen]

BTTT

[Colorado Buckeye]

That sounds like the message that a lot of professors in the Southwest are giving their students---that this part of the US will again be part of Mexico---

Of course, looking around the Dls/Fort Worth area, it may not be long..........unfortunately!

So, how long before Texas becomes irretrievably Democratic? When that happens the Republican party will have won its last presidential contest.

[La Enchiladita]

Here ya go:

http://www.sparcmurals.org/sparcone/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=209&Itemid=124

You may need to scroll down a third of the way ... the most recent comment is at the top. Comments can be added by guests at the bottom of the screen. Mine is dated 5/15, "This is Still the U.S.A."

As a bonus, they've added some twisted "up to date" reportage of the event.