Valley is a tale of east vs. west

Why are elections by district so important to African Americans and Latinos in Palmdale and Lancaster?

Anyone taking a ride through either city from west to east can readily see a glaring difference in the infrastructure of both areas. While streets are manicured and well maintained in the west sides, the same is not true of the east sides of both cities. Oldest stock and HUD housing are concentrated in the east side of the cities creating distinct per-household income differences with financially well healed families living on the west side as compared to the east side.

In terms of health, a random sampling of westside and eastside census tracts found that westsiders tended to have a lifespan 10 years higher than eastsiders. In addition, in some census tracts, crime is 12 times higher on the east side while the west side’s crime rates are well below the city’s norm. In regard to park space, a recent presentation to Palmdale City Council showed how park space was grossly lacking on the east side as compared to the west side.

These are some of the most salient issues that demonstrate a severe disparity in the social, economic and political landscapes of these two areas. Indeed, a report generated by United Way some years ago titled “A Tale of Two Cities” did not exaggerate the disparities, which buttresses the above statements.

Similar problems existed in Pacoima 25 to 30 years ago and it was not until Latinos were elected into office that these were addressed and corrected. We believe that the vote is racially polarized in Lancaster and the remedy for this problem is elections by district as prescribed by the California Voting Rights Act. AV-LULAC supports this remedy in Lancaster and believes it is vastly overdue.

Xavier Flores president, Antelope Valley League of United Latin American Citizens

Palmdale