By Ernie McCray
flickr.comWhy is it so hard for people to love one another, especially when all it takes is a mere gesture, a smile, a gentle meeting of the eyes, a willingness to listen to our fellow human beings with an open heart?
We much too often blow easy opportunities to express our love. Like the situation in La Jolla with the organizers of the annual La Jolla Christmas Parade. They won’t even consider using an adjective other than Christmas in the name of the parade, knowing that such a giving gesture would make more people feel comfortable and at ease at the festive celebration, unburdened by their religious beliefs and life philosophies, having a good time in a spectacularly beautiful community called the “Jewel by the Sea. All it would take is a deletion of a word on a PC. Oh, if every social problem could be solved so easily.
But the La Jolla Parade Foundation folks want no part of promoting such goodwill and harmony. I mean the San Diego Human Relations Commission offered to provide mediation for all concerned and they said “No” to that without batting an eye.
That’s when I started to really pay attention because I value this commission. I know that each member, to the person, is dedicated to their mission of fostering mutual respect and understanding and promoting amicable relations among all members of the San Diego community. They’re in existence for the very purpose of helping us love each other. Shunning their help says to me that the people responsible for the La Jolla Christmas Parade really don’t want to make positive contributions to a city that more and more is becoming people and neighborhood oriented, more and more respectful of its diversity. They, instead, seem to have chosen to go against the grain of making our city better unashamedly, feet planted in opposition to notions of love.
That’s so sad. So disappointing. So counter to the work that’s been done for decades in San Diego around human relations issues – the work that began when my friend Carrol Waymon came to town in 1964 to run the City of San Diego’s first human relations agency, the CIC (Citizens Interracial Committee).
It was mostly about race then and I remember taking part in dialogues where people of all races, colors, and creeds sat down with city and governmental officials to bring a sense of urgency to the problems of race relations in the San Diego area and La Jolla very much included.
Because a number of people loved their city enough to want to change it, good things started happening. Soon covenants about who could and couldn’t live in certain areas of town were removed and La Jolla sure had its share of these hateful agreements – but no longer. That’s the beauty of people gathering together to show that they care. They can bring an end to uncivil practices.
More jobs opened up for people of color. We could eat in the major restaurants, try on clothes in department stores. Schools became integrated. The police practices in minority communities began being addressed.
A number of “firsts” appeared on the scene, first black school board member, first black city councilman, first Latino California Assemblyman – all rising from the dialogues, from people working to make our city responsive to all its citizens.
Now, the environment in which people worked on the city’s social problems wasn’t necessarily like a genteel tea party. It wasn’t all peaches and cream by any means. I recall some very spirited postering, to be polite, in the police department conversations, particularly. All the issues were addressed with deep passions. But these breakthroughs in our city’s history came about as a result of diverse groups of people working together in a spirit of love. Love is the glue for all great social work. The great movements of our times around equality and free speech and women rising and gays marrying et al were all inspired by the love in people’s natures.
And it would sure seem to me that when it comes to an event that’s held during the Christmas season there would be an element of love somewhere in the mix. However what we’ve got going in La Jolla seems to be based on some kind of angry “Christ is the Reason for the Season” stance. But wouldn’t making the La Jolla Parade (hmmm, that has a nice sound) friendly and inviting to everyone be a nice Christian thing to do? A loving act?
Well, alas, I can only hope the parade organizers begin to show the good side of their humanity and gift us with a vision of them coming around to appreciating and honoring our city’s diversity.
All it would take is a mere gesture (changing a word), a smile (to those whom they’ve made the gesture), a gentle meeting of the eyes (as the recipients of such kindness smile back), a willingness to listen with an open heart (to the next opportunity to make great social changes).
Love would win the day.
Ernie McCray
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The Christmas thing has become just another political last stand among people who like to call themselves conservatives. Closely related are the die-hards on the question of maintaining the Soledad Cross atop a Pacific landmark hill. Both partisans are defending their exclusive right to determine the character of what is done in the name of the public, and they’re trying to do that in a way that limits others first amendment rights. Getting there first does not mean you get to tell others what to believe.
So… putting this question in terms of a good we all recognize… LOVE … you make a big contribution to understanding, Mr. Ernie. Love is that human capacity that we all can trade in for those small comforts we’ve been deriving from winning battles of class and kind so many years.
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.
When I wrote my first article about the La Jolla Christmas parade a year ago, I hoped that more sensitive reactions would prevail. Like you, Ernie, I, too was a minority for those living in La Jolla although not as noticiable as as person of color. The Jewish star I wore around my neck was an indication of who I was and what I stood for, and as far back as 1965 I was told that I could not have a room at that hotel because “they didn’t cater to my kind.” I can only imagine what others must have gone through that were “different” than La Jolla norms. Suffice it to say that in spite of the high population of Jewish folk living in La Jolla, and the minority number of professors teaching at UCSD, the parade organizers are still showing their true colors. All one has to do is scratch the surface a little bit and the truth comes out. I am not surprised that the organizers do not want to talk to anyone. After all, they might have to admit they are wrong – and your suggestion of a smile, a handshake, a meeting of the eyes may be all it takes to change that encompasses everyone. Changes are not simple things; this one is. Keep the pressure on, Ernie.
Judi ….
a recent letter to the trib prior to a wee bit of tweaking … unpublished of course …
Editor:
The histories of the Mount Soledad cross(es) and of La Jolla are inextricably conjoined with the controversy over the symbolism and location of the cross. The published article in the January 4th Union Tribune stating, among other specious claims, that the cross is a Korean War memorial and not what it most obviously is, is misleading at the least and an affront to non-Christian veterans at most. Plain and simple the cross has been and is a religious artifact representative of one specific belief system, and not, as many disingenuously make the case, a monument to honor all who have served in the military. Christian crosses have been erected on Mt. Soledad starting in the year 1923, at which time and subsequent years thereafter there was no denial of its religious purpose and no suggestion that it was a veterans’ memorial. For much of the history of the crosses, and until fairly recently, no challenges were mounted by San Diegans who knew that the cross on public land was contrary to the Constitution and transparently favored those of the Christian faith at the exclusion of other religious faiths.
It is asinine and arrogant for some La Jolla residents to have those of us who are not Christians, and can remember far back enough, swallow the pretense. in 1950, when I arrived in San Diego for basic training no one with a surname such mine would be able to buy or rent a home in La Jolla or a hotel room, much less a decent seat in a restaurant Many barriers to social acceptance were erected by residents and businesses in the La Jolla community with the clear purpose keeping La Jolla free of Jews and other minority groups. It’s common knowledge that actual written covenants were included in real estate dealings in a concerted effort to ensure that La Jolla would forever be a white Christian enclave. And now there is the audacity of some citizens of La Jolla to attest to and make a lame attempt people believe that the very symbol of Christianity is not just for Christians but for all of us veterans
Stan Levin
I can always count on you, Stan, to tell it like it really is.
Stan, very succinctly put. Too bad more people don’t believe it instead of blaming every thing on “us troublemakers!”
What hateful colors true colors can be. I sure hope they come around – but we have to be ever vigilant with the “pressure.”
Usually I oppose religious observances being foisted on the whole population, but Christmas is as secular a holiday as we have. I haven’t ever seen the parade but doubt that creches or any religious aspect of Christmas has a part in it. Isn’t it all Santa Claus and Rudolph?
It isn’t all Santa Claus and Rudolph to many and therein is the problem.
Hi Ernie,
Thank you for writing such a wonderful letter and response to resolve this problem. It is clearly a simple thing to do. My mom was on the CIC with you and Carrol Waymon. What an awesome thing that would be to bring that back.
That would be nice.
I think it is unfortunate that a segment of the “Christian” community has been labeled as not being “loving” if, indeed, they are followers of the man, Jesus Christ, who identified Himself as Love, the Son of Love. At the same time, I wonder when and where it is okay for “Christians” to have a “Christmas” Parade and call it that in San Diego or, indeed, in America. I haven’t followed this issue in its entirety, but I wonder if the organizers of the Martin Luther King Parade should be asked to take HIS name off the parade because some of those who believe in what he stood for didn’t see it as “inclusive”? Maybe we should just call it the “Freedom” Parade instead.
But our parade is in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an African American, Christian, Baptist preacher, and his contribution to the liberation of African Americans in particular – his people – and the liberation of all people in general. Should a parade in his honor not bear his name? If the Christmas parade is in honor of Jesus Christ, which, historically, has something to do with the holiday season, should He not be entitled to have HIS name on it?
Isn’t anyone who wants to able to put on a parade and call it whatever they want to? Why, then, aren’t those who want a different named parade able to put on a parade that doesn’t have the word Christmas in it? Of course, there would be those who would object to a “Christmas” season parade WITHOUT the word “Christmas” in it. Should those parade organizers then change the name of their parade to “Christmas” Parade to be inclusive of the Christians? Just something for us open-minded, all-inclusive, loving progressives to think about.
There’s a whole lot to think about in this.
Ernie- time is on the side of respect and tolerance, if not love. Imagine 10 years from now. I don’t think these shrinking entrenched beliefs will be seriously considered by the good people of La Jolla. We are in it for the long run aren’t we? and we will prevail.
The long run is the only run I know.
Live and let live. It is freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.
Christmas is a cultural celebration for many Christians. Similar to multi-cultural events such as St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Gay Pride Parade, etc. Respect for other cultures should be celebrated.
Constitutionally if the Christian Mount Soledad cross has to go, so do the two Jewish Eruv lines installed in the City right-of-way in La Jolla and the College area. The Eruv lines are almost invisible, were approved on public land by our City Council, and give freedom of movement to San Diegans on the Jewish Sabbath. Washington DC has several contiguous Eruv lines.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&om=1&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=102446556924627738571.00000111cf666795a7e8c
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/…/26/please-mingle-its-eruv/
http://www.adatyeshurun.org/eruv
Both the Cross and the Eruv lines are installed on public property for religious and spiritual reasons, and provide comfort to many individual citizens. Equal protection under the law.
La Playa Heritage,
Since no one has answered your posting in nine (9) hours, I guess everyone is waiting for someone who knows where every skeleton is NOT hiding.
Perhaps you are unaware why the San Diego community of La Jolla has the only non faith-neutral name of the nine greater San Diego area annual December annual events.
Subject: The Other STENCH in the San Diego Community of LA JOLLA
WARNING:
Unless you are an attorney, speed reader, or have 45 minutes to murder, Wikipedia Footnote 26. is extremely lengthy. You can always come back to it . . .it is a rough and tough read.
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 24. “The End of Covenant” – 2003
http://www.webcitation.org/5quHDqeST
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 25 “A specter from our past: Longtime residents will always remember the stain left on Jewel by an era of housing discrimination” – 2005
http://www.webcitation.org/5quGq3ONG
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 26. “Flaw in the Jewel: Housing Discrimination Against Jews in La Jolla, California” – 1996
http://www.webcitation.org/5quH6gLRG
I am uncertain whether you are aware that African Americans, Foreign Nationals and Jews were barred from purchasing houses or real property in the San Diego community of La Jolla from 1889-1958. When the University of California at San Diego was established in 1960, many La Jollans vigorously fought La Jolla as its location.
I wonder if any of you reading this knows the reason why African Americans, Foreign Nationals and Jews were barred from purchasing houses or real property in the San Diego community of La Jolla?
After all, these “good souls” had no one to hate from 1889-1958. The reason “these minorities” achieved the “right” to live in La Jolla was because the university needed professors and researchers. The eminent oceanographer and scientist, Dr Roger Revelle, had been telling the La Jolla REBA (Real Estate Brokers Association) since 1950, “You can have an anti-Semitic covenant or a university but you can’t have both.”
Now the locals had someone to hate and those “good souls” have never forgiven or forgotten that UCSD, which was originally to be called UCLJ, had been located in the San Diego community of La Jolla.
Since October 2004, the La Jolla Light has published four editorials strongly recommending the name of the San Diego community of La Jolla parade name be changed to reflect diversity and inclusiveness. Ask yourselves this question; Why would our community newspaper, the La Jolla Light, want to have the name changed and the “La Jolla tradition” removed from the San Diego community of La Jolla parade?
10-21-04 Editorial “Name of Parade Should Unify”
12-01-05 Editorial “Time has come to change the name”
12-30-06 Editorial “No one should be excluded from community event”
12-09-10 Editorial “Cheers to holiday event volunteers”
12-02-04 Article “Thousands expected for holiday parade”
Following is an important list for you to reflect upon and act.
December community events held in the Greater San Diego area
Which one of the events below lacks diversity and inclusiveness?
Chula Vista Holiday Parade – formerly Chula Vista Christmas Parade
December Nights – formerly Christmas on the Prado
Encinitas Holiday Parade – formerly Encinitas Christmas Parad
Holiday Bowl – annual college football game played at Qualcomm Stadium
La Jolla Christmas Parade & (since 2005) Holiday Festival – formerly La Jolla
Christmas Parade
North Park Toyland Parade – North Park Toyland Parade
Ocean Beach Holiday Parade – formerly Ocean Beach Christmas Parade
Pacific Beach Holiday Parade – formerly Pacific Beach Christmas Parade
Poinsettia Bowl – annual college football bowl game played at Qualcomm Stadium
The names of these events were not changed to hide the religious essence of Christmas. Instead, words such as Holiday or Community were chosen to make everyone feel welcome regardless of ethnicity, race or religious belief.
Is there something about La Jolla’s discriminatory past when African Americans, Foreign Nationals and Jews were barred from purchasing houses or property in La Jolla, which causes some residents to continue to reject the more embracing appeal to a wider range of ethnicity, race and religion?
I wonder if the pendulum has swung too far, or if, perhaps, there is an agenda I am not privy to (or wish didn’t exist and, therefore, have my head in the sand about). If I recall the language of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, citizens on this country (and others) have a right to assembly. The KKK has a right to assembly. The Nazi Party has a right to assembly. African Americans have a right to assembly. Gays have a right to assembly. Jews have a right to assembly. Christians have a right to assembly. Can we not all add hundreds or thousands of groups to this list. That sounds like a lot DIVERSITY to me – Guaranteed by the United States Government, with the backing of Homeland Security. History, apparently, is not the issue. If LOVE is the issue, how do we love these Christians as much as we try to love African Americans, Klansmen, Jews and Nazis? Do we love them by taking away their right to assembly? Sound to me like the making of a totalitarian culture where only those WE like have rights. Is the San Diego (and American) pendulum swinging in that direction. So, tell me again why did those communities take away “Christmas” from all those Christians?
Clovis Honore –
Mr. Honore,
By chance are you related to General Honore of the Louisana National Guard?
The final question in your blog response is, “So tell me again why did those communities take away ‘Christmas from all those Christians?”
Please re-read “It’s all about love, isn’t it?” After doing so, I think it would be the better part of wisdom if you composed ONE single or compound sentence to Mr. McCray.
DON’T preface your question with a declaration, simply ask him your ONE question. So there is no misunderstanding, prior to asking your ONE SENTENCE question of Mr. McCray and so that he knows you are asking your question directly to him, please state, “Mr. McCray,”
Perhaps you may wish to ask him your final question which is reflected in your blog response.
If I am not mistaken, the focus of Mr. McCray’s article is on “love” (and the San Diego community of) “La Jolla.” However, prior to doing so, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you read the links to Wikipedia Footnotes 24. and 25., which are reflected below.
Unless you are an attorney, speed reader, or have 45 minutes to murder, Wikipedia Footnote 26. is extremely lengthy. You can always come back to it . . .it is a rough and tough read.
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 24. “The End of Covenant” – 2003
http://www.webcitation.org/5quHDqeST
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 25 “A specter from our past: Longtime residents will always remember the stain left on Jewel by an era of housing discrimination” – 2005
http://www.webcitation.org/5quGq3ONG
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 26. “Flaw in the Jewel: Housing Discrimination Against Jews in La Jolla, California” – 1996
http://www.webcitation.org/5quH6gLRG
Pfaff,
Thank you for your comments. Yes, General Honore is a not-too-distant relative. I did review much of the information you suggested before posting my last comment, and chose to comment as I did. I hope I have taken your response in the spirit intended. I shall continue to exercise my First Amendment right to freedom of expression in my own style.
Clovis Honore
Mr. Honore,
Once again, when you asked your final question in your first posting, “So tell me again why did those communities take away ‘Christmas’ from all those Christians?” If you didn’t want to hear an answer, why ask the question?
If you are afraid to pose that question to the writer by beginning with, “Mr. McCray,” everyone will feel you never wanted an answer. Step up to the plate, be an adult and ask Mr. McCray your question!
Pfaff,
You’re condescending and disrespectful response was unnecessary. I was enjoying
all sides of the topic. Maybe mediation from the SDHRC would be good for you.
If folks need a different parade they should start one.
Ms. Schweikhard,
Do you think if “folks” need a different parade, they should start one?
Have you read Wikipedia Footnotes 24. and 25. reflected below?
Perhaps you’ll understand why the San Diego community of La Jolla has the only NON faith-neutral name of any December event held in the greater San Diego.
You may view that list, along with the headlines of the four La Jolla Light editorials in the posting with a date and time of December 19, at 9:49pm.
Don’t become angry, frustrated or upset. I can assure you it’s unbecoming of everyone. All of us must be objective, not subjective.
Why did the La Jolla Parade Foundation reject mediation? Why don’t you provide the answer to that easy question?
WARNING:
Unless you are an attorney, speed reader, or have 45 minutes to murder, Wikipedia Footnote 26. is extremely lengthy. You can always come back to it . . .it is a rough and tough read.
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 24. “The End of Covenant” – 2003
http://www.webcitation.org/5quHDqeST
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 25 “A specter from our past: Longtime residents will always remember the stain left on Jewel by an era of housing discrimination” – 2005
http://www.webcitation.org/5quGq3ONG
Wikipedia: La Jolla, California Footnote 26. “Flaw in the Jewel: Housing Discrimination Against Jews in La Jolla, California” – 1996
http://www.webcitation.org/5quH6gLRG