“There has been resistance; they think that if they accept us, they lose political power. They don’t provide space, but they live off that space,” Carranza adds.
Douglas Carranza recalls the terrible moments he experienced when he had to leave El Salvador due to the violence of the civil war.
“It was 1981; I was studying at the Jesuit university in El Salvador, and I had to flee. Many of my friends died, and some teachers were also murdered,” says Carranza, now a professor of Central American Studies at California State University Northridge and a strong advocate for the recognition of a Central American Cultural District in Los Angeles.
Like thousands of Salvadorans and others from Central American countries, he migrated to California, carrying the heavy weight of violence and having to integrate into a new society. “No matter where you are, after fleeing from war, you still carry it inside; it takes a toll on you. It affects our relationships with partners, children, and friends. It’s something that doesn’t leave you,” he says.
Carranza had to remake himself in California, he studied, graduated with a PhD in anthropology, and fought to understand and recognize the contributions of the Central American community in this country. Like him, hundreds of thousands of Central Americans have arrived in this country since the outbreaks of violence in their homelands and now seek acknowledgment of their contributions and legacy in American society.
“Through our immersion, we have contributed a lot; it is fair that it is officially recognized,” says the professor. “So far, it has not been recognized; the motion presented in the City Council is a first step. Our community, based on the experiences we’ve lived, is very socially and politically organized. We know how to navigate the political processes, we know how to wait, but we also know not to give up on our rights.”
Yesterday, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez introduced a motion to formally begin the process of designating a Central American Cultural District in the City of Los Angeles, officially acknowledging the contributions of the Central American community in Los Angeles. Councilmember Hernandez was joined by a coalition of leaders from some of L.A.’s most prominent Central American organizations, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Bureau of Street Services, and community members to celebrate this milestone.
“The introduction of the Central American Cultural District marks a significant moment for our community, recognizing decades of cultural, social, and economic contributions that have shaped Los Angeles, particularly in Pico Union and Westlake,” said Carlos Vaquerano
“The Central American community is an irreplaceable part of the fabric of Los Angeles,” said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. “Today we are bringing over a decade of work to fruition as we formally begin the process of designating a Central American Cultural District that will honor the contributions this community has made in Los Angeles. I am honored to stand alongside this coalition of community leaders and I thank them for their tireless advocacy and service.”
Among the community leaders was Carlos Vaquerano, President & CEO of Clinica Romero; Salvador Sanabria, Executive Director of El Rescate; Jocelyn Duarte, Executive Director of SALEF; Martha Arevalo, Executive Director of CARECEN-LA; and Douglas Carranza himself.
“The introduction of the Central American Cultural District marks a significant moment for our community, recognizing decades of cultural, social, and economic contributions that have shaped Los Angeles, particularly in Pico Union and Westlake. This district will stand as a living tribute to the memories and history we’ve built here. We thank Councilmember Hernandez for championing this vision, and we look forward to creating a space that celebrates our shared pride and presence for future generations,” said Vaquerano.
For his part, Councilmember Hugo Martinez-Soto said, “Establishing this new Central American Cultural District would be an important investment in that community by the City, as well as an acknowledgment of the tremendous contributions that the community has made to our City and shared home.”
Central Americans eagerly await recognition from the Central American Cultural District.
Carranza emphasizes the economic power of Central Americans. “We spend a lot of money; we contribute to the country’s economy. Now, with our vote, we create a powerful community. And as we showed at this press conference, we have contributed to the defense of immigrants. Organizations like Clinica Romero, El Rescate, SALEF, and CARECEN, among others, have shown what it means to organize the community and defend their rights,” he says.
All this and more has been contributed by Central Americans through painful experiences in their countries. But he believes that many still fear recognizing these achievements. “There has been resistance; they think that if they accept us, they lose political power. They don’t provide us a space, but they live off that space,” Carranza adds.
What the professor expects is a process of struggle and resistance. He anticipates that there will be opposing voices to the project but hopes that more spaces will open up. “The country has changed; we know we have to respect other communities, but we also ask for the same respect for our community. Central Americans know how to wait, organize, and fight. We’re not going anywhere. We will be here until we achieve that justice, that space we can call our Cultural District,” he concludes.
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