In the 1950s, Chávez Ravine was a peaceful remote place nestled in the hills, a stone's throw from Los Angeles Civic Center. Living there was a closely knit Mexican-American community of people pushed out of LA neigborhoods due to housing discrimination until Los Angeles City officials saw Chávez Ravine as the perfect location to build a new statium. City officals used eminent domain to take the property, saying the land would be used for low-income public housing and the residence would have first-pick of the new apartments. But once city officials obtained the land, they announced that it would be used instead as the site of the stadium for the newly acquired Los Angeles Dodgers.
As a child I lived not that far from Chávez Ravine. I remember the evening news for several days describing the sad events as they unfolded. The homeowners and residents did whatever they could do to protect their homes from bulldozers without success --- physically removed in many cases.
It wasn't until much later that I understood what actually happened --- corporate greed and city corruption.
Inspired by an old black and white photo by Don Normack taken of two young victims of Chávez Ravine, Manuelito Muñoz and his little sister Sarita. A hardcover book, Chávez Ravine, tells the story with photos taken by Don Normack.
Proud Brother, Little Sister
20 X 24
Paintings by Sally K. Green
Reproduction or use is by permission only - please contact me.
© 2008 Sally K. Green