First published in the Oct. 13 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
After reading some of the Letters to the Editor, it’s clear that a few are dismayed with the direction of La Cañada and California in general, to the point they’re considering moving.
I feel just the opposite. I know that I’m blessed to live here. So much effort and fundraising has been done to keep our schools operating at a high level and the neighborhoods looking beautiful. I welcome change, and I welcome newcomers. One of the reasons I feel optimistic is the research being done by Becky Nicolaides, highlighted in last week’s Outlook, which shines a light on La Canada’s history of segregation.
I assumed that there was a regrettable history of our city keeping people of color out, as with many other Los Angeles suburbs, but didn’t know much. Now we’re learning of a specific plan headed by Frank D. Lanterman in the 1940s to do just that.
What is refreshing is the response from Lanterman House Executive Director Laura Verlaque, who doesn’t shy away from these facts or dispute them. In fact, she acknowledges this part of our history and is helping to tell the story. Given the prestige that the Lanterman name still carries in this city, I didn’t expect that.
The only way to move forward is to acknowledge the pain and damage that some of our city’s policies have caused, then find ways to do better in the future. It takes all of us to keep La Cañada moving in the right direction — all of us who still love this city and are willing to roll our sleeves back to build bridges and embrace our future together.
Seth Larsen
La Cañada Flintridge
