The Great Wall of Los Angeles
"We are not makers of history. We are made by history." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Great Wall of Los Angeles, about a half mile in length located in the Tujunga Flood Control Channel on Coldwater Canyon Avenue in the San Fernando Valley provides a vibrant and lasting tribute to the working people of California who have truly shaped its history. Considered the longest mural in the world it’s tucked away near LA Valley College surrounded by bike and walking trails.
I found out about it quite by accident and decided to find a parking spot and take a walk along the fence line and gawk at the colorful depiction of California through the ages. Designed by Judith Baca, supported by 400 talented volunteers and artists, the colorful mural tells the history of California through the eyes of women and minorities.
Designed in panels leading us chronologically through the times, showcasing the role played by Native Americans, Latinos, African Americans, Asian American, and Jewish Americans in creating California’s culture. It’s a social memory bringing alive themes such as immigration, exploitation, racism, women’s rights, class distinctions and ethnic inequality.
In a small way I have tried to highlight some of chapters in California’s history but if you are ever in Los Angeles, its definitely worth a visit even if it is a quite a bit off the beaten path.
Dinosaurs once roamed the world, and it’s never truer than when you are driving some of the curving canyons in Southern California and looking at the rock formations which speak to the dreamer in you or at least they do to me.
The local flora, fauna, and simple way of living of the Chumash Indians who were the original inhabitants of this land.
The animal spirits make way to the Portola Expedition and the discovery of California by the Spanish and the legend of Queen Califa that I shared with you after visiting the Queen Califa Park in San Diego.
Mexican rule in California that led to the establishment of the missions and the birth of the Californios completely changing the way of life here.
I have as you all know been on a mission to visit of the 21 California missions established during this period, many of which are still functioning churches even today.
The Mexican war of Independence leaving California a part of the United States of America and then the discovery of gold in Sutter’s mill leading to the gold rush and a host of people flocked to this part of the world. The Chinese built the railroads and then were massacred in the largest mass lynching in history.
Orange groves gave birth to the California Citrus industry, Suffragettes and women’s rights movement, the red car.
The Civil movement was alive and well and the world was teetering towards a World War.
The Doughboys, women’s role in the war, Charlie Chaplin and Thomas Edison.
Broken promises, land treaties and land grab, the California dustbowl, the internment of Japanese Americans.
McCarthyism, the birth of Rock N Roll, Civil Rights movement.
Civil Rights movement, Gay Rights, Indian Assimilation, Asians gaining property and citizenship. I understand there’s a plan to continue this mural with additional panels but I don’t know the timing of this.