Could an Olvera Street type attraction work in Santa Ana?
Why doesn’t Santa Ana promote Latino culture the way Los Angeles does with their very successful Olvera Street?
In 1810, year of the commencement of the war of Mexican Independence (1810–1821), Jose Antonio Yorba, a sergeant of the Spanish army, was granted land that he called Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Yorba’s rancho included the lands where the cities of Olive, Orange, Irvine,Yorba Linda, Villa Park, Santa Ana, Tustin, Costa Mesa and unincorporated El Modena, and Santa Ana Heights, are today. This rancho was the only land grant in Orange County granted under Spanish Rule. (Wikipedia).
Latinos have been here for generations. But our city leaders act like anything Latino is radioactive. Can we do something similar in Santa Ana despite our failed city leaders?
“Olvera Street is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles, otherwise known as El Pueblo Historic Monument. The colorful village features 27 historic buildings with a traditional Mexican style plaza area. Wander around the marketplace and shop for souvenirs including handcrafted Mexican wares typical of old Mexico,” according to the Olvera Street website.
The real shame is that we COULD have gone with an Olvera Street type concept years ago, likely to huge success, but Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido went the gentrification route instead with the Artists Village. I don’t think anyone can argue that the Artists Village has been a huge success, as it hasn’t.
But Olvera Street has been quite a success indeed. Here is how Wikipedia sums it up:
In the midst of Downtown industrialization, Olvera Street is a quaint, colorized, and non-confrontational environment. Olvera Street is successful in depicting the quaintness of Mexican culture. The Avila Adobe aside, however, the buildings on the street date from at least a hundred years after the founding of the city in 1781, and have little if any authentic association with the city’s founding, or with its former status as a Spanish, then Mexican outpost. Olvera is really a named alley, unusual in Los Angeles, rather than a true street. This can be seen from the fact that most of the buildings originally had their main entrances and addresses on the adjacent and parallel Main and Los Angeles Streets. In addition, the frontages along Olvera Street are uneven, as is typical with alleys.
As a tourist attraction, Olvera Street is a living museum paying homage to a romantic vision of old Mexico. The exterior facades of the brick buildings enclosing Olvera Street and on the small vendor stands lining its center are colorful piñatas, hanging puppets in white peasant garb, Mexican pottery, serapes, mounted bull horns, oversized sombreros, and a life-size stuffed donkey. Perhaps the single most widespread image of this version of old Mexico is the painting or ceramic statue of the Mexican campesino reclining against a giant saguaro cactus. Olvera Street attracts almost two million visitors per year.
Santa Ana could do this even better by including cultures from throughout Central and South America.
Consider the huge crowds that show up to the Orange Street Fair every year. Imagine what we could do in our downtown area with Latino-flavored restaurants, vendors, and entertainment including mariachi music, boxing and lucha libre? It would be awesome!
Also on September 12 – 13
Mars Media Family “Fiestas de Independencia”
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day on September 12 & 13 on 4th Street in downtown Santa Ana. Free entrance to two days of live music & entertainment, carnival rides & games, authentic food & dozens of vendors.
I do not see anything about a parade.
http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/cda/documents/Independence09Sponsorship2.pdf
BIGMARK-ODeed on hate juice:
“Just in time….Go to the bathroom, get a plunger, affix it firmly, and pull your head out of your ass!…”
“Jackass…. Who said they don’t know what it is? How big would it be there if it WAS run by the Conferate flag waving crowd?”
“…you idiot!…”
Now that I’ve been called every name in
bigmarkod’s vocabulary book—
Bigmarkod, I am intelligent enough and it doesn’t take my “over 200 IQ to figure you out- I simply read in between the lines and sensed your vibes as I read your comment… I don’t believe that you are a hater, per se– yet you have your moments. I appreciate your honesty in saying that you find Che offensive- and you feel that certain symbols or figures are representative of the history behind them and they may not be inclusive— I agree – however – we need to have tolerance and respect each other- and I am not saying that you don’t respect others either. ( you simply tell them where to go – quite abruptly, and you spice it up with a little vulgarity and obscene language- but no problem- I love learning- I particularly have analyzed how ppl curse in English and Spanish- and guess what- ppl sometimes rhyme and have a certain order in which they get verbally crazy):)LOL Now I happen to like all people- why?? because I am a lifetime learner and I can easily switch from teacher to student and vice versa-
In spanish we say, “Cada cabeza es un mundo…” and we respect that– and it is intriguing to learn from each other. I don’t like the way you say–this blog used to be:
“It just makes me sad to see. This blog, used to be a fun place to exchange ideas and argue a little, but it has now devolved to an internet chatroom status, and party line drivel.”
keep the faith- we all roll with the punches-
(Wiki-answers-idiom=Cope with and withstand adversity, especially by being flexible)
tolerance is key-
shopping districts need to cater to all. #47 anonster I agree with you 100%
Olvera Street was the first street in El Pueblo de Los Angeles and all those mexican curios are representative of that. I am the most annoyed by Carl’s JR’s commercials where the big hat and the folklorico dancers are prepping for Carl’s JR they go overboard.
and I love all of this- it is my culture, my heritage– yet we go back to anonsters’#47’s comments where there is more to our culture.
Now Mariachi music is different- it is immortal classic and always actively promoting new and old pieces and talent.
I hope this new place or shopping district may be something like the Block at Orange or City Walk in west L.A- a shopping district representative of who we are as Mexicans and Latinos in general.
Here’s a link to Coyoacan, Mexico-
A Bohemian, Cultural place of the arts and culture- Home to Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and well- Leon Trotsky- sorry if some may find this offensive – however with tolerance, we can learn from each other. Hey even Hitler with his sick mind can be studied and he was an unusual mind. Think of how intelligent and charismatic this beast was- if he was able to control so many minds- yes there was control by force, however if you research him further you’ll see that he in fact had charisma and the ability to speak eloquently-thus he dominated and convinced the masses. Learning is free!
If we can show the world that Mexico or mexicans is not just a zarape and the siesta scene with the big hat and the cactus- once and for all – we will make an impact-
Coyoacán, Mexico is known as an upper-middle-class suburb, with a lively bohemian and artistic culture.
An important street in Coyoacán is Francisco Sosa, beginning at Avenida Universidad and ending in Coyoacán’s main square. This street features large houses with beautiful colonial architecture, and is also lined with bookstores, cafés, and clubs. The Italian Institute of Culture “Instituto Italiano di Cultura” is located on this street at number 77.
Coyoacán was home to Dolores del Río, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and also to Leon Trotsky (Лeв Трóцкий), and the houses they lived in are now both museums. It is served by Metro lines 2 (Metro General Anaya) and 3 (Metro Coyoacán and Metro Viveros).
Coyoacán is a Sister City of Arlington County, Virginia, USA.
http://www.coyoacan.df.gob.mx/
La Casa Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo, is now a museum.
Soon after Coyoacán was absorbed by Mexico City in the 40’s until the 60’s it became a semi-popular place for middle-high and high classes due to its tranquility and because it still kept the colonial flavour not only in its buildings, but also in its businesses, transport, costumes and people. It was something similar to Mexico City’s downtown but in a smaller version and without the large masses of people. In those decades it had elegant restaurants, cantinas (bars), a movie cinema, and cafés among other places. People who went there often went well dressed as it was a fashion to go there among certain social circles.
In the 70’s through 90’s it eventually lost the caché that characterized it and became just a normal residential zone in the city with beautiful squares and churches. The museums were renovated and it began getting frequented by families of all social levels, mainly on weekends. There they found street shows (storytellers, mimes, clowns, etc.), restaurants, parks, and museums where they could spend the day. Artistic painters began going there on weekends to exhibit their works and sell them to the ones interested. During this time Coyoacán acquired a cultural and artistic mood, which later became Coyoacán’s slogan: “Coyoacán es cultura” (Coyoacán is culture). All this made Coyoacán become a touristic place.
During the 90’s it began being visited by alternative groups of people like bohemians, hippies, street musicians, philosophers, backpackers, punks, etc. who were in search of relaxed and non-mainstream social places to gather, so they began having an important presence in Coyoacán. Street markets and stands were placed or improved and a lot of bars and restaurants were opened.
Afterwards, in the early 2000’s, the increasing number of bars, pubs and bigger markets, among other changes, attracted the mainstream pop society of Mexico City to Coyoacán. The once peaceful streets suddenly became crowded with groups of teenagers and young adults looking for places to drink beer or coffee, or just to wander around in the markets. Coyoacán became a common destination for many people all around the city looking for fun on weekends. However, this unusual quantity of people (mainly on weekends) has caused traffic and parking problems, pollution in the streets, presence of more drunk and homeless people, presence of franeleros (people charging money to let drivers park their cars), and an uncontrolled growth of informal commerce spread over the squares and streets. These conflicts have caused some areas in Coyoacán to crumble. However, the cultural and artistic mood of Coyoacán is still present and still is one of the preferred touristic places in the city.
[edit]Coyoacan Anthem
Todo lo que buscas puedes encontrar
Lo unico que necesitas es llegar
Coyoacan es mi nombre
Coyoacan es mi sangre
Coyoacan es mi vida, Coyoacan la salida
Coyoacan un escape, Coyoacan
Si centenario o plaza Hidalgo no te van Estan los viveros, La Conchita y Santa Catarina Un mercado, restaurantes, bares y cafes
Cineteca, museos, teatros y librerias
CORO
Coyoacan es cultura
Coyoacan es diversion
Coyoacan es la familia
Coyoacan mi religion
Coyoacan, palomas en el kiosko
Coyoacan, el organillo de la iglesia
Coyoacan, musicos y mimos
Coyoacan pobres y ricos
Todos unidos en las calles y en los bares tambien
Todos unidos en las calles y en los bares tambien
Entre tantas mil culturas compartimos mil estilos
Aqui nadie es diferente, aqui puedes ser tu mismo
Pero lo mas importante es que todos expresamos lo que sentimos, lo que pensamos
CORO
Coyoacan es Frida Kahlo
Coyoacan son los turistas
Coyoacan es El Jarocho
coyoacan es el Tianguis cultural
Coyoacan son mil vendimias
CORO
A Coyoacan un dia llegue
De Coyoacan me enamore
Coyoacan no olvidare
De Coyoacan siempre sere
“That is my point, and I dare you to tell me I’m wrong about that.”
Oh that’s so easy bigmark, you are wrong… because you totally missed the point. I trust each business owner to make decisions that they feel best for them. You just want them to do things your way but you approached it with a phony “sounds like a good idea”, then proceeded to tell them what to do, because…uuuhhh, you wanted to help them make money. uh huh!!
I’d much rather you say it like it is. Just say it, “I hate Che and if you sell Che T-shirts in your store, you will lose my business”. I’d respect that, but just stop it with phony spin crap.
when is it so bad to be polticaly correct. big mark trying to express his opinion and then gets jumped on because of it. I would hate to see what would happen to bigmark if he expressed his views to you people!!!!!! in person. hence (safety)
all you non-whites, what makes you think Santa Ana belongs only to the Mexicans.
#54
Oh please, Bigmarkod brought this scorn on himself.
He’s an intolerant panty-waist who’s equated the selling of Che Guevara t-shirts with stabbing, murder and drug dealing.
All he wants to see is HIS culture and HIS values reflected back at him with a little latin flavoring on top.
He is the classic “ugly american” and more disturbingly (and increasingly), a typical republican.
#55,
Mexicans come in every color of the rainbow with blond hair,red hair, blue eyes,green eyes and yes the color white too.
Santa Ana residents of Mexican decent only want inclusion. There has been a movement to minimize the positive celebration of the Mexican culture in the city for decades.
No one is saying Santa Ana only should belong to Mexicans. We are saying let this culture be celebrated in a positive manner for everyone to enjoy.
This has been purposely discouraged by the Santa Ana government leadership of the past 20 years.
It is the “whites”, as you put it, that believe Santa Ana should only be for them despite the city being 80% Hispanic.
“big mark trying to express his opinion and then gets jumped on because of it.”
He is being presented a different point of view, a debate. He also insults and jumps on posters. No one is crying about that. I do not think he is either.
Art you are so wrong. I lived in Santa Ana for 40 years. I like to think of it as my home town. There are about 250 employees where I work and 80% them are mexican, 50% of them are always making statements like WHITES STOLE CALIF. FROM MEXICO. WERE GOING TO TAKE IT BACK. CALIF. BELONGED TO MEXICO GRINGOS STOLE IT. Every race has its white trash.the best way to make an olvera st. in Santa Ana work is to make proud mexican/ american . Not just mexican.
RMac,
Your experience is abnormal or made up. It is an argument of Mexican-American militants. A small minority of the American-Mexican community.
You can not generalize about “White America” by the arguments of racists either.
From WIKIPEDIA:
[56]Barrow (2005) finds increases in average personal and household incomes for Mexican Americans in the 21st century. U.S. born Mexican Americans earn more and are represented more in the middle- and upper-class segments more than recently arriving Mexican immigrants. It should be noted, however, that Mexican Americans are not well represented in the professions. Most of the immigrants from Mexico come from the lower classes with lineage of family employed in lower skilled jobs. Thus, the kind of Mexican that arrives in the United States doesn’t have a history of being involved in professions. Recently, some professionals from Mexico have been migrating, but to make the transition from one country to another it involves a lot of re-training and re-adjusting to conform to US standards—i.e. professional licensing is required.[citation needed] According to James P. Smith of the Research and Development Corporation, the children and grandchildren of Latino immigrants tend to lessen educational and income gaps with native whites. Immigrant Latino men make about half of what native whites do, while second generation US-born Latinos make about 78 percent of the salaries of their native white counterparts.[57]
Adaptation of Mexican food tailor for the mainstream America marketHuntington (2005) argues that the sheer number, concentration, linguistic homogeneity, and other characteristics of Latin American immigrants will erode the dominance of English as a nationally unifying language, weaken the country’s dominant cultural values, and promote ethnic allegiances over a primary identification as an American. Testing these hypotheses with data from the U.S. Census and national and Los Angeles opinion surveys, Citrin et al. (2007) show that Hispanics (in general but not Mexicans specifically) acquire English and lose Spanish rapidly beginning with the second generation, and appear to be no more or less religious or committed to the work ethic than native-born non-Mexican American whites.
South et al. (2005) examine Hispanic spatial assimilation and inter-neighborhood geographic mobility. Their longitudinal analysis of seven hundred Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban immigrants followed from 1990 to 1995 finds broad support for hypotheses derived from the classical account of assimilation into American society. High income, English-language use, and embeddedness in American social contexts increased Latin American immigrants’ geographic mobility into multi-ethnic neighborhoods. US citizenship and years spent in the United States were positively associated with geographic mobility into different neighborhoods, and coethnic contact was inversely associated with this form of mobility, but these associations operated largely through other predictors. Prior experiences of ethnic discrimination increased and residence in public housing decreased the likelihood that Latino immigrants would move from their original neighborhoods, while residing in metropolitan areas with large Latino populations led to geographic moves into “less Anglo” census tracts.[58]
Everything is ok, but I have a problem with the part where second generation “americans of mexican descent” lose the spanish language.
Born in the U.S–but I don’t like anyone calling me “american of mexican descent” no offense to those of you that are proudly that-that’s just too distant and detached for me.
Like Pepe Aguilar sings:
“100% Mexicano, mariachi, banda, tequila, y sol!”
some would never understand- you have to feel it…
I am proud to be american, truly patriotic, I don’t think anyone can beat me in U.S History, American Political History, and passion for my country. However, this does not change the blood that runs through my veins. When it comes to heritage, culture, and life in general-
I LOVE being Mexican!
This makes me bi-cultural and I would hope that everyone in this country is bi or tri cultural at least. This is the land of immigrants and that is the beauty of this great nation. God has blessed this great nation because we have embraced everyone- the minute things change and we fill our hearts with hate and make no room for compassion- karma- then maybe we won’t be so blessed.
Art ,My experiences are true.Most Mexican/Americans I know want California to be given back to Mexico. Just in time, Yes this United States Of America is a land of immigrants but the difference is, immigrants of the distant past came here to become americans. Most immigrants today come here to work and send money back home, not careing i9f they become citizens or not.Racial prejudice doesn’t enter my mind. I’m german/russian,my wife is black and I have two beautiful mexican/american grandchildren.
Your bio is beautiful.
I do not believe your experiences to be true.
Interesting that you have ignored the research presented in post # 59. Why do you ignore research and generalize based on a superficial observation with a ignorant conclusion – Send money back home so not interested in being USA citizens??????????
Also interesting that you are German/Russian ,your wife is Black and your grand children are Mexican/American.
This translates to German/ Russian-you , black – your wife, German/Russian/Black – your grand children. You consider them American and the Mexican decent person that married an offspring of yours is not American thus you list your grand children – Mexican/American.
Your words; “Racial prejudice doesn’t enter my mind”.
REALLY!!
If not then you should of listed your grand children as (1) American or (2) German/Russian/Black/Mexican-American.
Art I see there is always going to be something that someone says,no matter how innocent, that you are going to try to turn around and translate into yor biggoted thought process to prove yourself superior. So good luck in all your tasks and I pray thatyour children and grandchildren don’t grow up with your attitudes. R.Mac signing off Santa Ana blogs.
RMac,
Take care buddy. Just stating my opinion, sorry it offends you. There is nothing innocent about your claims. You meant to stereotype.
Your ignorant generalities are offensive but I and others don’t cry about it. We simply defend our opinions.
Need to know crap and Dr.l.
Hit’s everyone with the same old crap Your a: racist,bigot, blah blah blah balh balh.
They use it because in the US people are really sensitive about colour. You can say brown pride, but not white pride, why is that??
Because people with brown skin, generally believe that just the fact of having white skin give’s one a better chance of success. A large Majority of People of colour in this country expect entitlements just based on the fact that they are not white!. There is a constant stream of propagada regaring how whites keep the brown race down. But the fact of the matter is, the only reason why someone can not succeed in this country is simpley, “they don’t work hard enough for it”. Yes Hispanics from third world countries have a disavantage based on the fact that most dont speak English and are poorly educated. But their American children should have no excuse unless phyically or mentally disadvantaged.
You need to understand Dr. lomei and the like’s of him. He is a product of immigrantion to this country, and has recieved a free education based on skin colour. I am sure for year’s people have walked on egg shells around him regarding his race, culure. Dr. L. advocates and defend his race no matter what. Because it has benefited him to do so. And he will use any term to attack anyone who question’s “Brown Pride”.
Really it is nothing but a scam and it has worked for Dr.L and alot of other people with “BROWN SKIN”.
Whites have got to see that this is a scam. People of colour are no less capable of working, educating themselves and feeding themselves than any other race. The are no more entitled to come to this country than anyother immigrant, and they are not entitled to any citizen right’s of this country if they are here illegal. Or as Dr.L would say, “undocumented”.
I do believe without a doubt that Mexicans feel this land is their’s and they are right it was. But in looking at Mexico, and its failure as a country to support its people. The question is do the hispanic population, really want Calfornia to be Governed by Mexico??.
N. Ireland belonged is considered part of the British Isles. Today N.Ireland prospers while Southern Ireland is a failure. Alot of N.Irish both prods and catholics are glad the land was taken by the British. Because really the N.Irish people are a very differnt culture than the South of Ireland.
Just in time for crap, you are so screw up about what, who and why!
I am proud to be american, truly patriotic, I don’t think anyone can beat me in U.S History, American Political History, and passion for my country. However, this does not change the blood that runs through my veins. When it comes to heritage, culture, and life in general-
I LOVE being Mexican!
You wonder why, Americans have a problem with the Mexicans!. Christ your American, not Mexican. I am Irish not American. Hell, if what you say is true then they should send back all the kids that were born here from Illegal Parents!!. Because the blood that runs though their veins are from illegal parents!.
American’s are immigrants that have come here to make a better future for themselves and their children. Mexicans and latino’s are never going to do well if they hold on to the culture that has crippled their countries. Yes bring to this country your traditions, but leave your prejudices behind!. Skin colour is only Skin colour, it has nothing to do with capability. Culture is just art, and skills passed on from one generation to the next, but in America culture’s have been combined to create this great land. My children will growup with traditions that i pass on to them, but their culture will be the American Culture.
Unless Santa Ana combines and welcomes only cultures it will always be a city that is loss, just like its people.
Sorry for the typo’s, I am tired. And i am really tired of moan bags.
You can have a beautiful, safe and prosperous city if you try the basic values and cultural makeup of the US.
Nite all:)
By the way:
I know i am going to be hit with Dr.l ect..
Racist, bigot ect….
So my take is: everyone is welcome in my home, but beware if your a moan bag!. In my culure, moan bags are not allowed!.
From WIKIPEDIA:
[56]Barrow (2005) finds increases in average personal and household incomes for Mexican Americans in the 21st century. U.S. born Mexican Americans earn more and are represented more in the middle- and upper-class segments more than recently arriving Mexican immigrants. It should be noted, however, that Mexican Americans are not well represented in the professions. Most of the immigrants from Mexico come from the lower classes with lineage of family employed in lower skilled jobs. Thus, the kind of Mexican that arrives in the United States doesn’t have a history of being involved in professions. Recently, some professionals from Mexico have been migrating, but to make the transition from one country to another it involves a lot of re-training and re-adjusting to conform to US standards—i.e. professional licensing is required.[citation needed] According to James P. Smith of the Research and Development Corporation, the children and grandchildren of Latino immigrants tend to lessen educational and income gaps with native whites. Immigrant Latino men make about half of what native whites do, while second generation US-born Latinos make about 78 percent of the salaries of their native white counterparts.[57]
Adaptation of Mexican food tailor for the mainstream America marketHuntington (2005) argues that the sheer number, concentration, linguistic homogeneity, and other characteristics of Latin American immigrants will erode the dominance of English as a nationally unifying language, weaken the country’s dominant cultural values, and promote ethnic allegiances over a primary identification as an American. Testing these hypotheses with data from the U.S. Census and national and Los Angeles opinion surveys, Citrin et al. (2007) show that Hispanics (in general but not Mexicans specifically) acquire English and lose Spanish rapidly beginning with the second generation, and appear to be no more or less religious or committed to the work ethic than native-born non-Mexican American whites.
South et al. (2005) examine Hispanic spatial assimilation and inter-neighborhood geographic mobility. Their longitudinal analysis of seven hundred Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban immigrants followed from 1990 to 1995 finds broad support for hypotheses derived from the classical account of assimilation into American society. High income, English-language use, and embeddedness in American social contexts increased Latin American immigrants’ geographic mobility into multi-ethnic neighborhoods. US citizenship and years spent in the United States were positively associated with geographic mobility into different neighborhoods, and coethnic contact was inversely associated with this form of mobility, but these associations operated largely through other predictors. Prior experiences of ethnic discrimination increased and residence in public housing decreased the likelihood that Latino immigrants would move from their original neighborhoods, while residing in metropolitan areas with large Latino populations led to geographic moves into “less Anglo” census tracts.[58]
I witnessed the very first parade and celebration on Sept 16th in the 80′. In fact I am the daughter of one of the 4 founders of that tradition. I had the privilage of knowing a man by the name of Roger Kooi, he was a man who saw promise in a culture and community that he loved as his own. The first celebration was documented by every news cahnnel and newspaper. It was like olvera street every weekend, a and every holiday. We played music in the streets ,the streets were lined with colorful balloons and decorations.Every Holiday the Downtown Hispanic Buisness Chamber would greet the community with joy. We all participated, the kids of the buisness owners,Roger and anyone who wanted to help. When Roger Kooi died, the suits came from the shiny buildings that were only a few streets yet always seemed so far far away. The music was sent inside, the signs and the balloons were order to be taken down or a fine would follow. The 16th of September celebration got smaller and smaller and today only the memory of what was is the minds of those that were. Your wish of another Olvera street is a beautiful one, and maybe someday the next Generation of those of “La Calle 4” will join together and make it happen. You can see ROGER at the entrance of the parking structure right off of 4th st, Hes there smiling at his calle 4. THANK YOU ROGER for your kindness, and the joy you brought to a little girl who grew up at the store.