Posted on 02/21/2010 2:58:33 PM PST by Steelfish
Century-Old Slur Erased From Santa Monica Mountains Maps February 20, 2010
A century-old slur was erased Saturday as authorities ceremoniously renamed a Santa Monica Mountains peak to commemorate a black pioneer who established a homestead at its base in 1880.
What had long been designated on "Negrohead Mountain" on official maps is now "Ballard Mountain" in honor of John Ballard, who worked as a blacksmith and firewood vendor from his 160 acres in the Seminole Springs area.
About 25 of Ballard’s descendants were among a crowd of 90 who watched as a plaque bearing the settler’s name was unveiled near the site of his onetime homestead. It will be permanently placed next to Kanan Road’s north tunnel near the top of the 2,031-foot volcanic peak.
Reggie Ballard, the 85-year-old great-grandson of the pioneer, said he was pleased to see the old name wiped away.
"I don’t know what it means to Los Angeles as a whole but it means a lot to me," said the retired Los Angeles Fire Department captain who now lives in Banning.
"It’s not often you get a chance to right an historical wrong," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who helped nearby residents win approval of the name change with the U.S. Geological Survey. Marcia McNutt, the survey’s director, traveled from Washington to attend the ceremony.
Descendant Christopher Ballard, 19, of Long Beach said he and six others climbed Ballard Mountain, climbing over rocks and carving their own trail through brush. When he reached its peak, he said, it felt like he was on top of the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
Is ‘negrohead’ a slur?
There, now everything should be hunky-dorey...
Negrohead Mountain is a “slur”? Sounds like somebody has been doing too many drugs and has too much time on their hands. I live in the White Mountains. I wonder if that makes me a racist.
well at least the Ca state government has their priorities in order...
Next up, Squaw Valley... /s
Maybe South Dakota’s Black Hills should be renamed the “Hills of Color.”
Dakota’s
Hey isn’t that a racial slur?
Whatever makes them feel good about themselves...anything, rather than actually doing good deeds.
"...said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who helped nearby residents win approval of the name change with the U.S. Geological Survey"
Sounds like it was the county working with the Federal Government. The State Government gets involved in the damnedest things, but this wasn't one of them.
It was referred to as “ni—er head” by the locals in the old days. The map makers changed it to “negro head” and now the “head” reference is no more. Suits me.
Nothing like wasting ink on this story when the head of Calif. Air Resources Board, Mary Nichols, deserves to be run out of the state.
Hey, LA Times, do a real story once in awhile.
These IDIOT feel good PC merchants have entirely too much time on their hands.
As far as alleged slurs go, I have yet to go to a mexican restaurant on either coast that doesn’t have a “Speedy Gonzalez” dish. (Well, maybe a couple but not many.)
I’m 52 years old and in my lifetime, have gone from saying ‘negro’, to ‘colored’, to ‘african american’ to ‘black’. I don’t know who keeps changing the PC rules, but I wish they’d make up their minds before I get to old to keep up. My 94 year old mother-in-law still says ‘colored’...she has no clue.
“Negrohead” is a slur? What about Whitehead? I have friends with that last name. Maybe they should change it? Nah, that would be racist.
What about butthead? You know, that negrohead in the White House.
Political correctness will destroy our country.
You Christians are so full of love for your fellow man.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.