A Critical Analysis of Where I Currently Call Home (San Diego)

★ words by Nicole Mendoza ★
edited by Sarah Kadous / graphic by Coco Lashar

After a demographical analysis of Southern California, it becomes blatantly obvious that an unexpected amount of racial segregation resides in San Diego, which is positioned on the gateway to Mexico. The KKK, or “Klu Klux Klan” (an American white supremacist hate group whose primary target is African Americans, and demonstrates extremist attitudes towards white nationalism and anti-immigration) first appeared in San Diego in the 1920s.

Their movement was a correlational action to the ending of World War 1 and the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers entering the United States. At this point in San Diego, the Klan functioned primarily as a way to control and terrorize Mexican and Mexican-American workers seeking better working conditions, and those who planned to unite and form a union to fight for workers’ rights. As time progressed, they moved on to more extreme forms of hateful action.

In the 1970s, then-Klan leader Duke assimilated a civilian border patrol to again assert control and terrorize Mexican Immigrants seeking refuge in America. White supremacy continued to rebrand and change in Southern California, and Duke went on to unite with Tom Metzger to form the White Aryan Resistance (WAR).  

“Assume complacency is condoning.”

The Klan continued to react with widespread discrimination as the Black community sought refuge from the Jim Crow Laws in the South and moved West. To further suppress individuals from seeking the rights they deserved and to defer them from unionizing, the Klan joined the Silver Shirts league. In accordance with their assimilation, contracts were formed with fishing and farming associations to ensure that there were more hands-on-deck contributions made to suppress Black Americans’ mobilization. The creation of these contracts further extended discrimination and redlining which in turn gave birth to gentlemen agreements. In efforts to keep neighborhoods “white,” gentlemen agreements were formed amongst real estate agents, to make sure neighborhoods stayed “pure.”

The main targets of these gentlemen agreements were Jewish and Black people. The huge crosses that reside on the picturesque mountains of Mount Soledad (La Jolla) and Mount Helix (La Mesa) are visible reminders that people of Jewish faith were not welcome to reside in those neighborhoods. 

Although segregation in California has seemed to diminish and de-escalate in recent times, in reality it has simply taken on a new face and manifested in different ways. According to Hate Map, an online service that tracks hate groups in every state, California has over 80 more than any state in the country, with at least 8 of them residing in San Diego. The KKK — although no longer as prevalent as it once was — still lives forcefully in communities such as Santee. In early May of 2020, a photo went viral of a man shopping in a Santee Vons wearing a KKK mask. Although this area has been exposed as a hub for racism and has earned the name “Klantee,” many long time community members are shocked and disgusted by this blatant act of racism.

“Although segregation in California has seemed to diminish and de-escalate in recent times, in reality it has simply taken on a new face and manifested in different ways.”

“I was in disbelief,” Melissa, a local of Santee, said. “He was behind me in line. Standing quietly. A man in a wheelchair [went] past and saluted him and he laughed. I took the photo because I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing. I’ve grown up in Santee and have never seen such racism right before my eyes.”

Perhaps it is not that we have gotten better as a community — instead, maybe it is just that we have become more tolerant and prone to inaction. Assume complacency is condoning. Currently, there are protests in La Mesa, Downtown San Diego, and in many other San Diegan communities, with the intent to bring justice for the murder of unarmed Black man George Floyd. Protesters are vocalizing their undivided support and recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement, and for everyone currently living in San Diego, it is imperative you disregard easy complacency and dissuade others from being so too.

Be a critical part of the history of your hometown, and do your part in reclaiming San Diego’s story.