Despite the closures of memorial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic , 2020 was characterized by its active historical discourse with the spread of the Black Lives Matter protests worldwide . Rather than depend on novel exhibitions for memorialization initiatives , anti-racist activists arduously reflected on controversial monuments of the past . Across the country , centennial monuments honoring slavery and oppression have been defaced and toppled . These events are now immortalized on social media for the removal of traumatic and divisive landmarks across the country .
The controversies surrounding the toppling of monuments on media platforms can only captivate the public for so long . The temporary nature of media attention thus warrants an enduring discussion of what remains of these monuments and also what other existing monuments deserve more visibility . Los Angeles , located in a region founded on the exploitation of Native Californians by Spanish missionaries and a destination for the Black community during the Second Great Migration , is home to two memorials depicting this great disparity in visibility and historical dialogue — the controversial defaced statue of Spanish missionary Junipero Serra and the memorial park of formerly enslaved and philanthropist Biddy Mason .
According to the Los Angeles Times , the outrage behind the toppling of Father Serra ’ s monument in the city ’ s historic district began with the indignation of Native Californians over the Vatican ’ s decision to elevate Serra to sainthood status in 2015 . The momentum of the Black Lives Matter protests against Confederate monuments empowered these activists to generate greater historical accountability for Serra ’ s exploitation of their ancestors .
Visiting Father Serra Park after seeing images of the toppled statue , I was disappointed to find the defaced statue completely removed and the area cleaned up of any evidence . The remaining pedestal , where Serra once proudly held a model mission and cross in his hands , showed no visible signs of protest or alteration . Instead the fenced enclosure and the pedestal ’ s prominent location continues as a gateway to the historic district of Downtown . It survives with an intact commemorative plaque recognizing Serra ’ s service to the Church , while being dismissive of the exploitation his mission perpetuated . As it stands today , juxtaposed against the skyline and beautiful landscaped lawns , the monument ’ s original bias is preserved by far more than its fenced enclosure .
Five minutes away in the heart of Downtown , lies a seemingly inconsequential , 24-meter long , poured concrete wall . Etched with faded portraits , inscriptions , and external molds of miscellaneous biographical
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