A summary of the policies responsible for how the SGV comes to look as it does
Conquest
The definition of conquest is taking over a place and people by use of military force. The San Gabriel Valley region shares the same story of conquest as every other part of Alta-California. Conquest by the Spanish, Mexicans, then Americans mark the start of the State of California.
Colonization
The definition of colonization is defined as the act of settling in a geographic area then taking control over the indigenous people. Like conquest, colonization has redefined the San Gabriel Valley several times over. The colonial imposition of new laws, social classes, and rights continue to define the SGV.
Apartheid
Also known as segregation or separation is the institutional separation of people based on race. SGV is defined by redlining, racial covenants, white flight, and income and mortgage discrimination that excluded minorities from certain areas, especially Black Americans, that continues to today.
Click Here to Learn More about the Historic Racism Experienced in SGV
Not only did the national and statewide racist policies impact the San Gabriel Valley, but the San Gabriel Valley has its unique history of racism here.