City Spotlight

Survive for 7

A free, one-evening “Survive for 7” family preparedness workshop is set for Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave. The workshop teaches the basics of preparing for emergency situations, including the skills families need to survive in the first week following a catastrophe. Register at www.lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog , using activity #21941.

Play at Palms: Movie Night

Under the Stars featuring “Scoob”

Bring the entire family and enjoy an evening of FREE family fun and movie entertainment under the stars at Palms Park, 12305 207th St. on Friday, Feb. 11. Guests can bring chairs and a picnic and enjoy a fun evening with their families. Check in begins at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Sorry, no pets or alcohol allowed at the park. For information call Lakewood’s Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-866-9771, extension 2408 or visit www. lakewoodcity.org/playatpalms

Travel trip to GRAMMY Museum

Join us on Saturday, Feb. 26 as we visit GRAMMY Museum, an immersive, cutting-edge experience complete with interactive exhibits, films and artifacts. Enjoy a 60-minute tour to learn how the GRAMMY Museum fulfills its mission of making music a valued and indelible part of our society. After the tour, individuals can to continue to explore the museum or enjoy one of the many restaurants at L.A. LIVE (on your own).

Please arrive at Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave. at 9:30 a.m. for check-in. The bus will leave promptly at 10 a.m. The cost of this trip is $38 per person. An adult must accompany children of all ages. Last day to register is Monday, Feb. 14 or until filled. Use activity #22234 to register at www.lakewoodcity.org/ ecatalog

The GRAMMY Museum currently requires patrons to wear a mask AND/OR provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of performance or visit. As the world continues to progress during the pandemic, these rules are subject to changes at-will. ♦

History of Lakewood

(Cont'd. from Pg. 1)

Racial discrimination in housing policies and realtor practices in the decades leading up to the 1950s was prevalent throughout society at large and prevented people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds from buying homes in hundreds of suburbs throughout the nation and Southern California, including Long Beach, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena and, sadly, Lakewood too.

Discrimination also existed in employment, transportation, dining, hotels and other aspects of life in those years. This is not to suggest that it pervaded every aspect of society and everyone everywhere, but it is certainly a sorrowful part of America’s history. Thankfully though, through the struggle of countless Americans, laws were passed to combat that discrimination and bring about more racial equality in our nation. It doesn’t mean that discrimination no longer exists or that it never rears its head, but fortunately there are laws and enforcement agencies in place now to help prevent it and punish those who engage in it. These changes to the law have had a profound positive effect in Lakewood over time. Census data show a growing racial diversification in the city over the decades.

Data from 2018 show that Lakewood’s ethnic diversity now closely mirrors the diversity of Los Angeles County as a whole, which is one of the most diverse counties in the nation. For example, Lakewood now has the same percentage of African-American residents (7%) as the county as a whole, and a similar level of diversity with Asian-American residents (17% of Lakewood, 13% in L.A. County as a whole), Hispanic residents (33% of Lakewood, 48% in L.A. County) and White non-Hispanic residents (36% of Lakewood, 26% in L.A. County). A leading California research organization has called Lakewood one of California’s most broadly diversi- fying communities. For quite some time now, racial diversity has been part of the strength and beauty of Lakewood as a community.

All of that said, the killing of George Floyd in 2020 was a shocking reminder that more needs to be done to address racial equity issues throughout our nation. In response and because of the pride that Lakewood takes in its notable diversity, the Lakewood City Council created a Community Dialogue in 2010 for residents to discuss and act on issues related to race, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Based on the feedback from residents, the City Council in 2021 approved a 10-point Action Plan to build on all the good that exists in Lakewood and to make the city the safest and most welcoming place it can be, for everyone.

Actions already carried out include the creation of Lakewood’s first-ever multicultural food and music festival (the Fest-Of-All) that 10,000 residents and guests attended in October 2021. Calendar days and months are now commemorated to celebrate the diversity of Lakewood’s residents.

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month are among the commemorations that Lakewood honored this past year and will continue to recognize in the future. More programs and actions inspired by the Community Dialogue will be carried out in the year ahead. See the plan at www. lakewoodcity.org/CommunityDialogue

So, the next time you see the city motto “Times Changes.

Value’s Don’t.” you’ll know the positive community values that Lakewood had in mind on the city’s 50th anniversary in 2004…and the values that Lakewood still treasures today. Lakewood is an exceptional community, which in many ways is defined both by its diversity but also a common set of core values that are widely recognized and appreciated, at the center of which is the endeavor to make it the best community it can be for all its residents, no matter their background. ♦