Judith F. Baca: The Great Wall of Los Angeles

The Great Wall of Los Angeles (1976) is a large mural in North Hollywood, extending over 2,000 feet, that offers a version of California's history focused around immigrants rather than white males.  In this mural, Baca depicts the struggles of minority groups and those fighting or civil rights. For instance, it shows major historical events, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Japanese Internment. One division of this mural that most stood out to me was the "Division of the Barrios & Chavez Ravine" because I feel that it depicts a very meaningful image. In this mural, we see a policeman carrying a woman away from her family as American communities are being built in the background. This image shows how, as the Dodger Stadium was being built, many minority families were being torn apart. With the construction of the Los Angeles freeways, communities became further segregated, pushing minorities out of white neighborhoods. Before the construction of Dodger Stadium, the Chavez Ravine community, which provided public housing, resided there. However, in order to build this stadium, this entire community was uprooted and moved to a more marginalized area in Los Angeles. To me, this piece of art is important because it tells an unedited version of history that emphasizes the hardships of minorities, rather than praising white culture.