A Dearth of Leadership Makes Federal Intervention Necessary

Let me begin my remarks on this day that will forever mark the history of Santa Paula by acknowledging the elders of our community--those who were raised in a different era, who experienced the pain of marginalization, who experienced firsthand the overt acts of discrimination. Allow me to honor you for overcoming, for the most part, those scars of humiliation and for becoming examples for the next generation as hard-working, dignified war heroes, civic-minded citizens, responsible family members.

Let me also acknowledge non-Latino community members raised in that era who, through birthright, social status or merely by the color of their skin, lived life the only way they knew how but nevertheless overcame and bettered the conditions for the next generation by righting a wrong, improving conditions in schools, employment and social affairs so that each Santa Paulan could proudly be included as a full participant in “our community.”

There is no blame or dishonor here. You were courageous, and there are many.

Today we, the next generation, must take it the next step. We should support the U.S. Department of Justice effort to wipe away the history of marginalization and discrimination.

Today you will not see the overt acts of discrimination that were common so recently, such as segregated schools. However, you will find the effects of a 98-year history of such. I urge you not to attempt to continue the ill will often present in these chambers.

We must be vigilant when we or our neighbors stumble into old habits. But we must not sit back while our neighbors and family members continue to suffer economic, political and social injustice. We must come together as one community.

The community will benefit when all members are full participants in every aspect of social, political and economic affairs. There is no room for a silent majority. We must all work to level the playing field so that all may reach their full potential.

The Voting Rights Act was meant to protect the treasured right of minorities to have effective representation. Latinos in Santa Paula expect political fairness. This means a fair opportunity to choose their representatives, a fair shake in enforcement of voting rights and a fair share of substantive political outcomes.

The Justice Department, through its extensive two-year investigation, has determined that Santa Paula has experienced and continues to experience problems electing Latino candidates. It has also said that the city’s plan to expand its boundaries will further dilute Latino voting strength, further burden those who can least afford the costs associated with growth and segregate our children from inclusion in new schools that are contemplated. Parents worry how their children’s opportunity for higher education will be further depressed when excluded from state-of-the-art educational facilities meant for “a better class of people,” as our city manager stated at the Local Agency Formation Commission community meeting held last year.

We should next ask what cost the city should pay to exit yet another legal entanglement. Estimated costs [of a similar legal action] in Santa Maria after seven years are $2 million; Los Angeles County spent $6 million. Yet [the city’s attorney John] McDermott estimates only $100,000 through this fiscal year. In addition, the city’s share of community development block grants and Department of Justice law enforcement grants would be jeopardized. This alone would run into the millions over the next several years. The cost to the fabric of community, our relationships with neighbors and family members, can never be calculated.

If the Justice Department succeeded against Microsoft with its endless source of revenue for attorney fees, what do you think it can do to my colleagues [on the City Council]?

As for the threat of a private legal defense fund, who would wish their name to be associated with a group opposed to a shared democracy?

Let us be reasonable. Let us get on with the work of the council. Let us move forward and settle quickly with the Department of Justice.

Laura Flores Espinosa is a member of the Santa Paula City Council.

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Editor’s note: This is excerpted from Espinosa’s remarks to the Santa Paula City Council on April 10.