There is that saying that if we don’t learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. Also, if we allow people to change history and rewrite it, how indeed can we learn from it? The recent media hullabaloo over the old San Diego Police headquarters on West Harbor Drive opening up as a retail store and police history center has been very disturbing to many of us San Diegans of color and minorities such as GLBT citizens who remember how the Police Department was in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. In those days you could count the number of women police officers and those of color on one hand. The San Diego Police Department was a racist, homophobic, sexist one and that police headquarters was infamous for its brutality and mistreatment of blacks, Latinos, Asians and gays.
With all due respect to former Port Commissioner Steve Cushman, he has stated, “These efforts to renew and honor the history and legacy of the old police headquarters are part of the Port of San Diego’s plan.”
I highly respect Mr. Cushman, but my question to him and the media as well as our city officials is are you going to tell the whole truthful story about the Police Department and what took place at that police headquarters? How people of color and gays were beaten in that police headquarters regularly? Yes. While those dark bigoted, brutal days of our San Diego Police Department have indeed changed (because of police chiefs like Sanders, Kolender and Lansdowne) let us not forget to tell the whole story about what went on at that old Police Department downtown.
People, politics, opinions
A “Chris Ward for City Council” campaign has been officially filed/registered with the city clerk and Sen. Marty Block and former Councilwoman Donna Frye have endorsed his 2016 3rd District Council race and over lunch he showed me a major list of community leader’s endorsements. What’s that saying? The early bird gets the worm! Todd Gloria and I were also planning his campaign almost four years before he ran! Ward could be facing other possible candidates like Stephen Whitburn and Laurie Coskey.
AIDS Walk founder and Log Cabin president, Susan Jester appeared for the second time on the Roger Hedgecock TV News Show as a political commentator this week.
Was former City Attorney Mike Aguirre’s race for mayor just really a test run for a future City Council campaign?
Wonderful and respected businesswoman, Michelle Burkart is now the general manager of the GSDBA … outstanding!
I had lunch with state Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and she is taking the powerful gun lobby threat of a recall against her seriously, and we all should.
The popular former mayor of Chula Vista recently told me he will be a candidate for City Council and we all need to get behind Steve Padilla.
Congratulations to Johnathan Hale who was recently elected president of the Hillcrest Business Association.
Word is that Bob Nelson could be the next chairman of the powerful Port Commission.
I had a nice phone call with Nathan Fletcher the other day and he is making sure he has quality time with his two little boys.
Did you know that conservative Republican Congressman Darrell Issa donates to the San Diego AIDS Walk and has attended a gay wedding? Well, it’s true.
Every poll shows that Interim Mayor Todd Gloria is the most popular government official in the County and his endorsement from now on will carry even more weight.
We must all make the re-election of our district attorney, Bonnie Dumanis, a top priority … period! Political rumors are that Marine captain and co-chair of the Sheriff’s Advisory Council, Jacque Atkinson could be a candidate for Toni Atkins’ state Assembly seat when she is termed out. County Commissioner Bruce Abrams and I attended the 16th annual KPBS and Union Bank Local Heroes Awards at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art. Congratulations to 2013 honorees, Max Disposti, Carolyn Bolton, Vinnie Pompei and Elmer Bisarra.
A community Thanksgiving story
I don’t know why every year the Imperial Court de San Diego and I worry about the annual Scott Carlson Community Thanksgiving Dinner and The Center’s Family Dinner project, because every year you, the community, always supports our endeavors to provide great Thanksgiving meals and food to those in the community and neighborhood in need. Last year the Thanksgiving Dinner at The Center drew more than 300 people and this year 50 GLBT families with about 130 children will be provided a full Thanksgiving dinner at their home. Hot meals will also be taken to local hospitals and the Las Memorias Tijuana AIDS Hospice which houses 55 men and 20 women with AIDS who will be supplied with a badly needed order of beans, rice, oil, etc. Yes, the Imperial Court and The Center staff and volunteers are ready for Thanksgiving next week. A special “thank you” to Ben F. Dillingham, Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria, City Commissioner Robert Gleason, Harvey Milk’s American Diner, San Diego Pride, Walgreens, Osiris Corporation and everyone who gave to this year’s Thanksgiving community campaign.
The annual community dinner is next Thursday, Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day at The Center, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This dinner is for seniors, people living with AIDS, cancer, the homeless and those in need or lonely. All are welcome. Many of the 50 families with children have lost their jobs, homes, etc. On behalf of the Imperial Court and The Center, God bless you all for your support!
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for more than 40 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last six mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com
