Letters: Why a cross belongs on the L.A. County seal
Re “The cross and the county seal,†Editorial, Jan. 3
The Times misses the mark.
The purpose of a municipal seal is to reflect the culture and history of a region and its people. In Los Angeles County, our history began with the founding of the San Gabriel Mission in 1771. The mission was recognized as an important icon to the region and hence added to the seal in 2004.
However, the current rendering of the mission on the seal is artistically and architecturally inaccurate. At the time the seal was redesigned, the cross had been temporarily removed to retrofit the structure. The cross was returned to the top of the mission in 2009.
The motion before the Board of Supervisors seeks to correct the inaccurate representation.
The courts have ruled that a municipal seal can include religious symbols when it depicts a historical fact or event. In fact, two California counties, Ventura and San Benito, have crosses on their seals. as does the city of San Luis Obispo.
However, if you want to add the bells, we can also do that.
Michael D. Antonovich
Los Angeles
The writer is an L.A. County supervisor.
Really, in a time when we need so many basic services, Los Angeles County Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich and Don Knabe are reviving a culture war.
Why not, in the spirit of good works, build more housing for the poor, create better care for foster children, feed the hungry and try to do things that would bring Los Angeles County’s diverse communities together?
California’s Spanish missions subjugated and enslaved native peoples. Sure, they are a part of our history, but we don’t need one on our county seal any more than South Carolina needs to fly a Confederate flag.
Leave the seal alone and instead work on something to benefit all county residents.
Cheryl Younger
Los Angeles
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