By Clare Beezhold and Lauren Mittleman
Editors-in-Chief
Since the rise in popularity of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement following the death of George Floyd, concern has been raised in our own community over the history of the local Bruce’s Beach. Recently, Manhattan Beach City Council has taken votes that are tone-deaf and troubling regarding the history and future of racial relations in the area.
Manhattan Beach has been probing into the story of the once beachside resort for Black families known today as Bruce’s Beach. The family attempted to move through litigation but ultimately failed and was compensated for their lost land with a meager $14,500. Approximately a century later, the Bruce’s descendants have not received any sort of apology, let alone proper restitution.
Just weeks ago, there was a two-page attack ad placed in “The Beach Reporter” by the “Concerned Citizens of Manhattan Beach.” This ad seems to be pure backlash and does not resonate with the majority of citizens in Manhattan Beach. If history has taught us anything, it is that every time anti-racist activism receives visible levels of public support, such as the formation of the Bruce’s Beach Task Force, it will inevitably lead to strong retaliation. To see this proven true in our community is disappointing.
The March 16 City Council meeting focusing on Bruce’s Beach emphasized the public’s passion for this issue, as a record number of attendants came. The meeting involved two hours of public comments, and in the end the City Council approved some measures suggested by the Task Force, but ultimately disbanded the force and tabled a vote on the apology.
It is quite disturbing that our city’s leaders would hesitate to issue an apology for what this city has put the Bruces and countless other Black residents through. No progress will be made if the city cannot admit to its wrongdoings, because without doing so there is no reason to believe similar instances will not occur in the future.
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