Monrovia has seen several events that clearly mark a change in attitudes regarding our Latino Heritage. From the first Latino History event at the Monrovia Historical Museum to the name change at Olive Avenue Park changing it to the Lucinda V. Garcia Park, to the first Cinco de Mayo celebration, we truly have come far.
The Cinco de Mayo celebration was an amazing day. Colorado was closed from Myrtle to Ivy with vendors, booths, information and fun. It rivaled any event I have ever seen in Monrovia as to its size and I think anyone who was there was impressed. The 6 hour event had Downtown Monrovia packed with people all enjoying themselves, good food and great entertainment. The entertainment was finished by the Mariachi Divas, an all female group whose talents are known far and wide. Keep your eyes open for the repeat next year. It can only get better!
The name change of the park was unanimously approved by the Monrovia City Council in April and no public funds will be used for the sign change. There will be some private fund raisers for that purpose. The park was named after a woman whose life from 1880 until 1958 was spent trying to overcome discrimination both due to the fact that she was a Latina and a woman, both suffering from discrimination during those times. I took on the park idea after talking to my brother-in-law, John Estrada. John had told me about a book titled Rain of Gold whose author, Victor Villasenor had grown up in Southern California during the 1950’s and 1960’s and the experiences he lived with. I also grew up during those times but never understood the feeling of discrimination and felt that perhaps something in Monrovia should be done to point to the contributions of a group of people that had largely been ignored.
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A large part of this change is due to Jimmy O’Balles, President of the Monrovia Latino Heritage Society. Jimmy has taken charge of seeing that Monrovia never forgets the past and works to improve our future, a noble goal indeed. You will see Jimmy O’Balles working on the Latino events as well as the African-American events as it is his hope that since both groups lived side by side in early Monrovia that they can again and in doing so avoid the friction of the more recent past.
Monrovia’s 125th birthday celebration is coming with a parade on May 12th and a celebration in Library Park; I hope to see everyone there as we celebrate our 125 years together.