Anti-Semitism Taints Conversation About Race

B2 THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE SUNDAY • JULY26, 2020

APATH FORWARD ANTI-SEMITISM TAINTS CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE

BY STEVEN P. DINKIN because it may hurt the participated in the 1964 he describes this way: “The movement.” Mississippi Freedom Sum- people I grew up with, the Some people will say that Aweek later, Jackson mer to register Black voters. people I go hunting with, the anti-Semitism is back. But apologized. He was penal- And they joined the recent people who protect me when the truth is, it never went ized (likely fined) by the Black Lives Matter protests. Isleep … I know these faces.” away. Eagles and promised to Someone recently Now, he says, “people a Over the July Fourth become more informed. New tweeted a comparison of the thousand miles apart have weekend, Philadelphia England Patriots wide re- number of slaves killed in more fellow feeling for some- Eagles wide receiver DeSean ceiver Julian Edelman, who America to the number of one because they have the Jackson found a bizarre way is Jewish, invited Jackson to Jews killed in the Holocaust. same color skin or they vote to celebrate freedom. He accompany him on a visit to Ican’t help but wonder: the same party...” Goldberg posted on Instagram a the U.S. Holocaust Memori- What’s the point of this continues, “I think that it’s screenshot of a passage al Museum in Washington, comparison? And why very easy for people within attributed (falsely) to Adolf D.C. would anyone want to win their coalition to see the Hitler. White Jews will black- Recently, MTV’s Nick this game? hypocrisy, and cruelty, and mail and extort America, the Cannon was fired by Via- This speaks to the bur- nastiness and intellectual screed declares, but “their comCBS after he praised den of tribalism. I’ve been dishonesty of the other plan for world domination Nation of Islam leader Louis GETTY IMAGES GETTY IMAGES reading a lot about this topic coalition. But they will make won’t work if the Negroes Farrakhan and discussed Julian Edelman of the DeSean Jackson of the since Harvard professor remarkable allowances for know who they were … the anti-Semitic conspiracy New England Patriots. Philadelphia Eagles. Steven Pinker opined that the members of their own real children of Israel.” theories on a June 30 epi- tribalism is the reason peo- coalition.” It’s curious that Jackson sode of his podcast. In a keep leading. Wade eventu- Baldwin once said: “All ple don’t wear masks. Trib- Let’s stop making allow- chose to post this comment statement posted later on ally deleted the tweet and racist positions baffle and alism is part of human his- ances — and excuses. Let’s in the midst of our national his Facebook page, Cannon posted a second one, saying appall me. None of us are tory and closely linked with stop comparing scars. In- conversation about race. It’s said that the moment was that he had been too quick to that different from one fear. We regress to tribalism stead, let’s join the only tribe even more curious that the “stolen and hijacked (by respond and wasn’t fully another, neither that much when threats — perceived or that matters: the human post didn’t generate the Viacom) to make an exam- informed about Cannon’s better nor that much worse. real — cleave us into polar- race. It’s the best way to condemnation it deserves. ple of an outspoken black remarks. Iknow that if today I refuse ized and mistrustful camps. ensure the demise of racial Jemele Hill, a writer for man.” Separately, he ex- Stephen Smith, an ESPN to hate Jews, or anybody We imagine the “others” as injustice — and its first The Atlantic, said this about pressed remorse to his “Jew- commentator, said that else, it is because I know how different or less than us. At a cousin: anti-Semitism. the lapse: “At a time when ish brothers and sisters” for Wade didn’t deserve to be it feels to be hated.” tribal level, people are more there is an understandable his hurtful and divisive rebuked for his tweets — Jews have a long history emotional and less logical. Dinkin is president of the National focus on how Black Ameri- words. “plus, he’s a black man, so if of aligning with Black In a 2018 interview on Conflict Resolution Center, a San cans bear the brunt of sys- Basketball phenom there’s anybody who’s ex- Americans in fighting rac- National Public Radio, Diego-based group working to create temic oppression and police Dwayne Wade tweeted a perienced hate and bias and ism. They marched along- writer Jonah Goldberg solutions to challenging issues, brutality, some commenta- message in support of Can- elevated his sensitivity, it’s side the late Dr. Martin called our current tribalism including intolerance and incivility. To tors believe that people are non, saying, “We are with him.” Luther King Jr. during the “cheap.” He compares it to learn about NCRC’s programming, afraid to rebuke Jackson, you” and encouraging him to The great writer James civil rights movement. They authentic tribalism, which visit ncrconline.com

NOTEBOOKS

From Union-Tr ibune reporting staff

EAST COUNTY: KAREN PEARLMAN HIGHER EDUCATION: GARY ROBBINS New landscape for water district Country’s 8th most beautiful college?

LA MESA The cliche is true. Beauty is in the eyes of did other SoCal jewels like all of the Clare- The Helix WaterDistrict’s administration the beholder. mont Colleges, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Santa office in La Mesa is sporting a new look with There’s no other way to explain Cosmo- Barbara, Loyola Marymount University drought tolerant landscaping that has in- politan magazine’s new list of the 50 most and University of Redlands. creased the curb appeal of the headquarters. beautiful college campuses in the country. Cosmo’s list was compiled by writer Three styles of drought-tolerant land- San Diego State University is ranked Laura Hanrahan. She offered this justifica- scapes are planted around three sides of the 8th. Not 80th. 8th. tion for ranking SDSU 8th (8th!): building on University Avenue, Lee Avenue I’m not saying SDSU isn’t attractive. “Show me a more stereotypically Cali and Quince Street. The Mediterranean gar- But 8th? Ahead of the University of Michi- campus than this heavenly palm tree-dot- den goes along University, a desert style on gan and Notre Dame and Harvard and Ohio ted place. Warning: The plethora of Insta- Lee and California native landscaping on University and UCLA and Indiana Uni- worthy spots might turn you into a photog- Quince. Each is filled with flowers, cacti and versity and Bowdoin College and Bryn raphy major.” other plants in myriad colors, scents, styles Mawr and Cornell and Princeton and ... Well, if that’s your criteria. and textures. There are people who will tell you that For the record, here are the schools By day, hummingbirds, lizards, bees and SDSU isn’t even the prettiest school in San listed in the top 10: butterflies have been flocking to the garden, Diego, let alone America. 1. Syracuse Univ.; 2. Univ. of Pennsylva- which was completed in late June. At night, Those people attend Point Loma Naza- nia; 3. Christopher Newport Univ.; 4. Spel- LEDlightingshinesonthegardens,illumina- rene University, which sits on a slope over- man College; 5. Berry College; 6. Elon Univ.; ting the way for people out for an evening looking the Pacific, and the University of 7. Duke Univ.; 8. SDSU; 9. Howard Univ.; 10. stroll, according to Michelle Curtis, the dis- San Diego, which sits on a hill overlooking Georgetown Univ. trict’s senior public affairs representative. America’s finest city. Curtis said therehas been anoticeable in- Neither school made Cosmo’s list. Nor [email protected] crease in walkers stopping by to check out the newplantsand the rock designwork.The KAREN PEARLMAN U-T plants in all three of the gardens are adapted Helix Water District employees to San Diego County’s climate and need half Michelle Curtis and Mike Uhrhammer SOUTH COUNTY: LAURA GROCH to one-fifth of the water a traditional lawn check out the landscaping installed at needs. the administration center in La Mesa. The gardens have room to grow. “I’m ex- Virtual meeting about Rec Center cited about when it fills in,” said Helix Water had was,” Gracyk said, recalling the former Board member DeAna Verbeke. “It’s going to groundcoverandlarge hedgesthatwere high Residents and stakeholders are invited part in a second virtual workshop from 6 to be exquisite. It’s really a beautiful land- water users. to a virtual meeting to learn about the sche- 8p.m. Tuesday in support of the 24th Street scape.” “Here we are in this civic building right on matic design proposed for the Loma Verde Transit Oriented Development Overlay Many locals have been spotted taking University Avenue, a focal point in the com- Recreation Center from 6-7 p.m. Monday. (TODO) project. photos of brown markers that have been munity, an institution. As a public agency, I The center, 1420 Loma Lane, is among The virtual workshop will be hosted on placed in the landscaping that display the thought we should at least look nice for our the busiest in the southwest part of Chula Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook Live. plants’ names. A QR code, when scanned customers. The traditional type of landscap- Vista and needs many improvements. The The project aims to identify opportunities with a smartphone, provides each plant’s ing we had at the building had become out- designincludesa multi-purpose room/gym- for enhancements around the 24th Street name, photo of it at mature size, and sun and dated, especially in this day and age of water nasium, dance room, game room and Transit Station. water needs. conservation.” aquatic changing rooms. The second workshop is intended to pre- Helix Water District Board President The cost of the landscape project was The virtual meeting link, via Cisco We- sent proposed mobility improvements and Mark Gracyk and the other four board of di- $254,197, some of which was paid for through bex, can be accessed at www.chulavis- land use recommendations, and receive rectors started planning for the changes in grants and a $40,000 rebate from the Met- taca.gov, under “News.” feedback from the community. 2019, looking to beautify the neighborhood ropolitan Water District. It was approved at Participants may join 15 minutes before RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/24thSt- and upgrade the look of the district’s office, the Helix board meeting earlier this year, on the meeting starts. Registration is not re- TODOrsvp2 to participate, or tune in to the which has been at the location for more than Jan. 15. Merino Landscape Inc., of Chula quired, but an email address is needed to Facebook Live stream on the TODO Face- two decades. The district bought the build- Vista replaced nearly 6,500 square feet of ex- join the meeting. book Page. ing from Southland Corp. — 7-Eleven — for teriorlandscaping,includingabout470linear It is recommended to download Cisco Meeting details will be sent before the $3.2 million in 1998. feet of frontage. Webex in advance on your smartphone, meeting. The new landscaping was also created to The district also created an interactive computer or tablet. Visit the project website at inspire customers to start planting their own webpage at https://hwd.com where Helix There will be an opportunity for ques- www.24thStreetTODO.com to view project water-wise garden, Gracyk said. Helix and customers can make a list of their favorite tions and comments during and after the documents, take a survey, and learn more. several other water agencies are partners plants and download each garden’s design virtual meeting. Send additional comments and questions with The Garden. plan. Information on efficient irrigation and to Project Manager Martin Reeder at “The whole genesis of it started when I rebate programs is also available. National City schedules meeting [email protected]. was telling Carlos (Helix General Manager on 24th Street transit project CarlosLugo)howshabbythelandscapingwe [email protected] National City invites residents to take [email protected]

FROM THE ARCHIVES who this week celebrated his second birth- day, often perches on the back of his father’s drawing board, decked out in a gay ban- danna, to “play Pepito.” Carlin’s brown eyes COMIC STRIP CHARACTERS sparkle as he watches the characters come to life and, in a language all his own, comments on arms, buttons and hair, as his fa- HAVE COME TO LIFE IN S.D. ther draws. When the strip idea has fully jelled, the third member of the family Arriola’s wife, San Diego’s Comic-Con @ Home, a free, online version of the annual Comic-Con Inter- Frances, leaves the kitchen — where she national conference wraps up today. With the COVID-19 restrictions in place, this is thefirst often prepares Gordo’s beans, and becomes year since 1970 that the convention hasn’t drawn fans of pop culture and comic art to down- aone-woman test laboratory, if she doesn’t town San Diego. laugh, the idea is abandoned. But Comic-Con isn’t San Diego’s only connection to cartoons and comic strips. In addition to his daily strip, Arriola does In addition to Steve Breen, the Union-Tribune’s Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial car- had always wanted to draw a strip, because aSunday color page, which requires about 2 toonist, several other prominent cartoonists have called San Diego County home. Greg Ev- he knew something about Mexico, and be- day’s work. too often, he admits, he is up un- ans of San Marcos, who created the comic strip “Luann.” Evan’s daughter, Karen, is now co- cause he wanted to make people laugh. til 2 or 3 a.m. writing the strip. The late Brad Anderson, creator of “Marmaduke,” lived in Escondido for several years. And Lalo Alcaraz, author of “La Cucaracha,” is a San Diego nativewho got his TOYED LONG WITH IDEA DIALECT DEVELOPED start as a cartoonist at The Daily Aztec, San Diego State University’s student newspaper. Arriola “fooled around” with the Gordo When Arriola got the idea of a Mexican In addition, Gustavo “Gus” Arriola lived and worked in La Jolla in the late 1940s and idea for about a year before he settled on the strip, “there were a lot of overplayed com- early 1950s before moving to Carmel, where he spent the last 52 years of his life. Arriola cre- culinary artist whose “beans weeth cheese” ments being used in the movies. These con- ated the popular comic strip, “Gordo.” recipe has been sent to tens of thousands of tained none of the charm of the true broken Arriola’s comic strip ran in The San Diego Union from 1946 to 1985. Over the years, readers. From his home at 626 Rosemont speech,” he said, and he set about devel- Gordo, the title character, evolved from a simple bean farmer to a suave tour guide and Ave., La Jolla, the cartoonist himself has oping a dialect which now has become al- good will ambassador for Mexican culture. Arriola received the San Diego Comic-Con mailed 18,000 copies, many to those who fol- most a type of its own. Inkpot Award in 1981. low the strip in The Union. Born in Florence, Ariz., the cartoonist In 1948 Ariolla sat down with a Union reporter at his LaJolla home to discuss the work of And someday, Gordo might release his has made numerous trips to Mexico, but still creating a daily comic strip. secret recipes for tacos and other Mexican dreams of a tour of the interior to “study the dishes, Arriola said. “He’s good at anything people first hand.” But, he stressed, Gordo From The San Diego Union, Sunday, February 1, 1948: he does, particularly in escaping hard labor does not portray the Mexican people. “He’s —and he has to be good to get out of that.” just like the others —for few of our American The artist spends at least 1 1/2 days strips depict life in the United States. He’s GORDO LOPEZ CONCEIVED “sweating out the material for 6 days’ strips just an amiable fat man — with a name that TO BRING LAUGHTER of three or four frames each.” Then come the matches — and his main purpose is to make characterization — the part that he really people laugh.” Laughable, lazy Gordo Lopez, who frolics the new La Jolla home of his creator, Gordo likes — and Arriola can draw and ink in HISTORICAL PHOTOS AND ARTICLES FROM THE through the comic strip frames in 53 news- is growing steadily under the pen of gus Ar- about six daily strips in 36 hours. SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES ARE papers, was conceived as a “funny character riola, 30, cartoonist. COMPILED BY MERRIE MONTEAGUDO. SEARCH in the funnies.” Arriola, of Mexican-Spanish extraction, SON ‘PLAYS PEPITO’ THE U-T HISTORIC ARCHIVES AT Now at home in a white-walled studio in brought Gordo to comic strip life because he During this time, the artist’s son, Carlin, NEWSLIBRARY.COM/SITES/SDUB