Today, January 15th, is Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
As the sun rose early this morning, I strolled along Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade in downtown San Diego. A few other walkers were out, too.
I photographed public art along the linear park that honors a great civil rights hero. (You can see more of the three sculptures here and here and here.)
Many famous and thought-provoking MLK quotes are engraved along the pathway. I randomly aimed my camera at two. (See more of the quotes here.)
I started near the intersection of Harbor Drive and Market Street, headed southeast past the newly renovated Children’s Park, then concluded my walk at the Convention Center trolley station.
Just a few photos…
Shedding the Cloak, by artists Jerry Dumlao, Mary Lynn Dominguez, and Tama Dumlao.DREAM, by artist Roberto Salas.Breaking of the Chains, by artist Melvin Edwards.
…
Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
This morning I saw this and more as participants prepared for the 42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade along San Diego’s beautiful Embarcadero.
Every year the MLK Day parade along the waterfront is a big deal. Thousands come out to watch community groups celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. and his enduring message of human dignity, equality and love.
Dancers, marching bands, students, veterans, beauty queens, activists, club members, law enforcement, politicians, businesses, car lovers, charitable organizations . . . all would move proudly down Harbor Drive.
I took photographs of everyone coming together before the start of the parade.
…
Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
On November 28, 2023, the new Piazza Costanza was dedicated in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. The public space, filled with inviting tables and umbrellas, honors Margaret “Midge” Costanza, a trailblazer who became the first woman to hold the title of Assistant to a United States President.
Costanza was a daughter of Sicilian immigrants. Her illustrious career included fighting for the cause of civil rights. In 1978 she moved to Southern California and eventually worked in the San Diego District Attorney’s office advocating for senior citizens.
The beautiful Piazza Costanza is located at the corner of Columbia Street and Ash Street. It features a bronze bust, historical photographs and several inspiring quotes.
I walked through the piazza late yesterday afternoon…
It is the link from the present to the past that gives us a spirit to address the future.I will never apologize for allowing people to participate in a government they help select and that belongs to them.Human dignity is a right, not a privilege, a right inherited at birth.
…
Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
About a week ago I was privileged to be shown many outdoor murals that are currently being restored in world-famous Chicano Park. What I observed were artists and volunteers working on the Chicano Park Mural Restoration Project 2023.
New color and vibrancy were being applied by many brushes. Preserving these historic murals, which speak vividly of struggle, resilience, and accomplishment by members of the Chicano, Latino, Mexican migrant and Indigenous communities, is an important undertaking. Chicano Park has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Over 15 murals are to be fully restored in collaboration with the original artists. In the next photo you can see Mario Torero, who painted many of the Chicano Park murals.
I encourage anyone in San Diego who has never experienced Chicano Park to swing on by and wander among the monumental artwork. History, culture and decades of activism in the pursuit of civil rights will make an unforgettable impression.
I was amazed when I learned a group of three artists that painted a mural in 1977 as young women are now restoring their beautiful mural, almost half a century later! They call themselves Mujeres Muralistas. Watch an interview of the artists here. You can see their inspired work in my final two photographs!
…
Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Wearing a superhero costume is fun. But would you like to become a genuine superhero?
Help spread the word about human trafficking and join the effort to end it!
I met several superheroes today at Comic-Con who are doing just that. They are informing people that human trafficking is a serious problem in San Diego.
What is human trafficking? The SAFE San Diego website explains: Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery where perpetrators profit from the sexual exploitation and/or forced labor of men, women and children. It is a violation of basic human rights, and it is also a crime as defined by U.S. federal law and California state law. Furthermore, San Diego was identified by the FBI as of the top 13 high intensity child prostitution areas.
This same website explains how to identify possible human trafficking and what you should do if you spot it. It’s good to be informed, because you never know.
Please visit the SAFE San Diego website and spend a minute or two learning what you can. And spread the word! You’ll become a real superhero!
You may end up saving someone’s life.
If you expand the following image, you should be able to read it…
…
I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Last year locally and internationally renowned artist Mario Torero painted four murals for the San Ysidro Health building in National City, at the intersection of 8th Street and D Avenue.
The colorful faces depicted in these outdoor murals belong to labor and civil rights leaders: Cesar Chavez, Larry Itliong, Dolores Huerta, and Martin Luther King Jr. The faces of these cultural icons are rendered in Torero’s distinctive style.
Torero, co-founder of Chicano Park, is famous for his socially conscious artwork. You’ve likely seen his work elsewhere around San Diego.
I photographed the four postage stamp-like murals during a walk through National City.
Cesar Chavez mural by Mario Torero.Larry Itliong mural by Mario Torero.Dolores Huerta mural by Mario Torero.Martin Luther King Jr. mural by Mario Torero.
…
Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
An inspirational event was enjoyed by many today in San Diego. It was the first ever African American Heritage Celebration in Balboa Park!
The House of USA hosted this program at the International Cottages for Black History Month. Starting at 2 o’clock, the celebration was jam-packed with history, culture, education and optimism.
Community organizations had booths around the lawn, and some tasty food was served up on the patio in front of the House of USA cottage.
I thought the highlight of the event were the young speakers and dancers who took to the stage. They were like bright stars shining for all to see.
The House of USA royal court read inspiring words from Kwame Alexander’s “The Undefeated.”
A local artist professor spoke about African American creators and how they connect and inspire the community.
A skit performed by young people reenacted the historic bravery of civil rights hero Rosa Parks on that segregated bus.
And there was much more!
Enjoy these photographs and be sure to go to this great event next year.
(And please read about several organizations in attendance that are working to make a positive impact…)
The above smiling young people are future leaders who are participating in the Dr. JAM Program! Click this link to visit the website.
Their motto is: In the depths of Wisdom abounds Knowledge!!! Knowledge is divine!! So I lend my ear to Listen, my heart to the Respect of my People and my soul to the Preservation of my Culture!
What’s the Uplift Institute? Just what it sounds like!
They are working to improve lives in the community, particularly when it comes to our shared environment. They have an event coming up called Sustainable ‘Hood Education and Career Expo ’23. It will be taking place May 6 at UC San Diego’s downtown Park and Market.
This organization empowers underserved, unemployed men, including Veterans and the unsheltered. They provide support for men who face challenges while attempting to transition back into the workplace to achieve self-sufficiency.
An exhibit is now being readied at the San Diego History Center for Black History Month. Two museum walls will feature photographs selected from the History Center’s archives.
When I asked about this installation today, I learned that the centerpiece will be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to San Diego back in 1964. Many additional photographs concern citizens in our community who dared to advocate for equal rights.
About a third of the photos were up this afternoon. The exhibit should be completed sometime this week!
Protesting racial segregation in front of Woolworth’s storefront in downtown San Diego in 1960.Racial equality sit-in at SDG&E in 1963.Board of Education racial integration proponents disrupt meeting in 1968. A group of parents fought against inequalities for students of all ethnic backgrounds.
…
Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Look at all the smiles! They could be seen everywhere before the start of San Diego’s big 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade!
MLK Day is tomorrow, so today was a fine day to celebrate the legacy of the great civil rights leader. The rain even paused for the parade and a bit of sun peeked through!
But the sun couldn’t outshine the bright smiles I saw on Harbor Drive!
…
Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
An emotionally moving mural was created in Lemon Grove earlier this year between two buildings on Broadway.
The Lemon Grove Incident mural was painted by lead artist Mario Chacón and a team of volunteers, including many local students. It can be viewed at 7963 Broadway, between the Welcome Home Boutique & Art Space and Body by Discipline.
The mural remembers and honors a court order in 1931 that ended school segregation in Lemon Grove. Previously, Mexican American students had been taught in a separate shabby schoolhouse. The groundbreaking ruling set Lemon Grove on the path to being one of the most integrated towns and school districts in San Diego County.
You can read more about the mural’s history and dedication back in March here.
…
Thank you for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often, so you might want to bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and check back from time to time.
You can explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on this website’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There’s a lot of stuff to share and enjoy!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Cool San Diego Sights! 