In your first Brief Writing Assignment I asked you to consider Los Angeles’s physical form. In this one, I’d like you to consider the identities of its residents and how they changed in the early and middle decades of the twentieth century. Los Angeles is of course known for its racial and ethnic diversity, which as we’ve seen was a feature of the city ever since its founding in the eighteenth century. Of course, racial and ethnic (and other) identities change over time and in different historical contexts. For instance, Los Angeles’s founding pobladores, whatever their bloodlines or skin tones, adopted the common identity of “gente de razon.

QUESTION

Below are the instructions from the professor:
In your first Brief Writing Assignment I asked you to consider Los Angeles’s physical form. In this one, I’d like you to consider the identities of its residents and how they changed in the early and middle decades of the twentieth century. Los Angeles is of course known for its racial and ethnic diversity, which as we’ve seen was a feature of the city ever since its founding in the eighteenth century. Of course, racial and ethnic (and other) identities change over time and in different historical contexts. For instance, Los Angeles’s founding pobladores, whatever their bloodlines or skin tones, adopted the common identity of “gente de razon.” In contrast, racial identity became a factor that divided the city’s residents in the twentieth century. Thus, the question I would like you to address in your second Brief Writing Assignment is this: How did Angelenos forge and define racial and/or ethnic identities in the early to mid twentieth century? There are many ways to approach this question, and you’ll need to narrow it down for such a short paper. You may want to look at racial/ethnic identities as a whole, or you may want to examine just one identity (white, black, Mexican-American, and so on). As further suggestions, you might want to consider how the city’s physical form influenced race (connections between space and race) or how racial/ethnic identities were shaped either by contrasting one with another and/or by cultural borrowing.

Your paper should be around 600 – 800 words in length and it should include specific, cited evidence from at least two required sources from weeks five through seven (readings and/or this week’s video).

ANSWER

Racial and Ethnic Identity Formation in Los Angeles during the Early to Mid-Twentieth Century

Introduction

Los Angeles, known for its diverse population, underwent significant changes in racial and ethnic identities during the early to mid-twentieth century. This period witnessed the transformation of the city’s residents and their evolving perceptions of racial and ethnic backgrounds. In this brief writing assignment, we will explore how Angelenos forged and defined these identities, considering the impact of the city’s physical form and examining the interplay between various racial and ethnic groups. By analyzing historical sources, we can gain insights into the dynamics of racial and ethnic identity formation in Los Angeles during this transformative era.

 Influences of Physical Space on Racial and Ethnic Identity

The physical form of Los Angeles played a crucial role in shaping racial and ethnic identities. The city’s spatial organization and development influenced patterns of residential segregation and community formation. For example, the emergence of racially segregated neighborhoods, such as South Central and Boyle Heights, showcased the spatial division between different ethnic groups (Episodes in the Life of a Place: Regional Racial Formation in Los Angeles’s San Gabriel Valley – ProQuest, n.d.). These neighborhoods became focal points for the formation and consolidation of distinct racial and ethnic identities.

Additionally, urban planning decisions and discriminatory housing policies perpetuated racial segregation. The construction of freeways and the deliberate displacement of communities, particularly those of minority groups, further exacerbated divisions among Angelenos. These spatial dynamics impacted the experiences and self-perceptions of various racial and ethnic groups, leading to the reinforcement of distinct identities.

Interplay of Racial and Ethnic Identities

The early to mid-twentieth century in Los Angeles witnessed the complex interplay of different racial and ethnic identities. Mexican-Americans, for instance, navigated between their Mexican heritage and their aspirations for assimilation into mainstream American society. Discrimination and prejudice faced by Mexican-Americans led to the emergence of a distinct Chicano identity that sought to challenge stereotypes and claim a sense of pride in their heritage.

Similarly, African-Americans faced systemic racism and discrimination, leading to the formation of a resilient Black identity. Cultural borrowing played a crucial role in shaping these identities, with African-Americans drawing inspiration from the Harlem Renaissance and using art and literature to express their experiences and foster community bonds (A New African American Identity: The Harlem Renaissance, 2023). The Watts Renaissance, for example, served as a cultural and intellectual movement that highlighted the creativity and resilience of the Black community in Los Angeles.

Contrasting and Comparing Identities

The forging and defining of racial and ethnic identities in Los Angeles during this period also involved contrasting and comparing various groups. White Angelenos, while predominantly the dominant group, exhibited diverse responses to racial and ethnic diversity (Perez & Hirschman, 2009). Some sought to maintain their privileged position by perpetuating racial hierarchies, while others engaged in cross-cultural interactions and borrowing, leading to the emergence of a multicultural white identity.

Furthermore, tensions and interactions between different ethnic groups shaped identity formation. The intersecting experiences of Japanese-Americans, Chinese-Americans, and Filipino-Americans, among others, demonstrated the complexities of identity negotiation. These groups faced discrimination and exclusion but also sought solidarity and unity to challenge societal barriers.

Conclusion

The early to mid-twentieth century witnessed a significant transformation in the racial and ethnic identities of Angelenos. The physical form of Los Angeles influenced spatial divisions and segregation, while racial and ethnic identities were shaped through contrasting, comparing, and cultural borrowing. The experiences of different racial and ethnic groups, such as Mexican-Americans and African-Americans, highlighted their struggles against discrimination and the development of resilient and prideful identities. By understanding this historical context, we can gain valuable insights into the diverse tapestry of racial and ethnic identities in present-day Los Angeles.

References

A new African American identity: the Harlem Renaissance. (2023, June 15). National Museum of African American History and Culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/new-african-american-identity-harlem-renaissance 

Episodes in the life of a place: Regional racial formation in Los Angeles’s San Gabriel Valley – ProQuest. (n.d.). https://search.proquest.com/openview/9d952d801d6d6cb2e985344ae106f0dd/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750

Perez, A., & Hirschman, C. (2009). The changing racial and ethnic composition of the US population: Emerging American identities. Population and Development Review, 35(1), 1–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2009.00260.x