Comments on: “Little India” sign rejected

By: thefuture

thefuture — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 01:43:34 +0000

The city of Artesia is ONLY recognized to most people outside of the area because of Little India. Perhaps when some younger people take over the reins of the city, the socio-economic reality of Little India will be accepted for what it is: a benefit to a city otherwise destined for urban obscurity.

By: acitizen

acitizen — Sat, 19 May 2007 21:25:44 +0000

As a resident of the city for over 25 years now, my impression is that nationalistic messages tend to divide people. When I see the signs designating areas as “little….fill in the blank”, I don’t feel included. Little Saigon, Chinatown, etc. says to me, “we’ve left our homeland but we don’t want to assimilate into the American culture”. “We don’t want to mix in among others…..only our own kind.” I find it ironic that the “race card” is thrown at someone who simply disagrees. I also think it might be somewhat hypocritical, as I can’t imagine there being a “Little America”, or “Little Germany”, or anything else in India. The mere proposal would be met with utter disdain, and the group banished if even thought of in India. You’re in America now….can’t we all just get along without the nationalism?

By: Lost Canadian

Lost Canadian — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 17:08:51 +0000

Where is Artesia? Why do entrepreneurial Indian people live in this hick town? The sweetest revenge would be a mass exodus by the Indian business people to somewhere truly more welcoming…

By: april

april — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 06:03:41 +0000

this is the same situation that presented itself in detroit. a group of people (blacks -- some recent african immigrants and some african-americans) wanted to designate a small section of that town as Little Africa and it was rejected, and this in a city that's over 70% black!!!

i fully agree: a Little India sign would help people find the location easier (something simiular to the small off-ramp sign for Little Saigon in westminster).

p.s. i don't think any racist comments are funny (see the note section)...

By: kiwi

kiwi — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:43:59 +0000

If AAA can call the area “Little India,” why can’t Artesia? (See AAA Westways March/April 2006 issue, pg. 69) Were planning a trip to Little India next month – no other reason to visit “Artesia.” Maybe they should change the name of the city instead so that we can find Little India more easily.

By: jay

jay — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 09:02:07 +0000

I dont see what all the fuss is about personally.There is also a sizeable Portuguese community in Artesia and I think thats why they wanted to put the International sign. They were here before the influx of Indian Businesses and Never got a sign recongnizing them when they were the dominant group. Its a classic case of Old immigrants resenting new immigrants. Maybe some dialouge between those groups would benifit to try and difuse the racial tension.

By: AlexaD

AlexaD — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 21:05:33 +0000

I agree, they should reconsider the sign to designate the Pioneer exit as “Little India”. Concentration of specific ethnic communities is a great asset to Los Angeles, and would probably bring more tourists, foot traffic and curiosity seekers into the Artesia area, bringing $$$ – win/win situation, right?

By: jay dylan

jay dylan — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 07:46:42 +0000

racism. pure and simple.

By: Becki

Becki — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 22:53:09 +0000

Residing one mile from Pioneer Blvd, I love refering it to Little India, it’s a great place! Los Angeles designates small areas “Little Ethiopia, Little Armenia, etc”. The city of Artesia has nothing to offer and Little India brings people and businesses to the small town. A small favor of a sign is not much to ask. Hope they reconsider.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 06:08:12 +0000

I believe that it is sad that this ethnic group cannot have some sort of recognition in the form of a simple sign. It’s not like they want to put up a sign that is derogatory to anyone. It’s just like having signs everywhere that lead you to Disneyland, what’s the diff?