The Story of Mexican Americans in LA

Background Information

A visit to the La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum allowed me a golden opportunity to experience visually Chicano history through visitation of a local historical-cultural site in southern California. La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum is also known as LA Plaza. The objective of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is to cultivate and celebrate an appreciation for the evolving and enduring influence of Mexican American and Mexican culture. This is with a focus upon the Mexican American practice in Southern California and Los Angeles. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (LA Plaza) was established on April 16, 2011. This cultural site opened its door to the public with an aim of educating the public of the nation's cultural. It is located next to the famous Olvera Street sphere and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.  

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a national museum dedicated to narrating the history of the Mexican cultures of Los Angeles. It also offers contribution and evolution of Mexican heritage to the city. The museum is an additional advantage to the Los Angeles County album of cultural museums. The museum is not only a cultural and education center but also a famous tourist attraction center. The main gate of the museum is at the shorter building, far from the street. There are several outdoor stages and gardens. The name LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a Spanish name and a subject to the Mexican American and Mexican experience in Los Angeles. Ironically, the exhibits in this site are only expressed in English. Visitors have to understand English for them to understand these exhibits. However, the museum is planning to initiate a Spanish language auditory tutor.

Visiting Day

I woke up to a lovely morning. Birds of the air were singing their sweet melodies to welcome the new day. The day promised to be promising as it turned out to be. Yellow petals shone with dew like gold in the sun. Mother was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. The aroma of the breakfast was calling. This promised how sweet the day would be. My elder brother escorted me to town where I boarded a vehicle to La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum. I arrived at around nine in the morning and spent the whole day there. This was the best experience with my classmate Jane who also decided to visits the site on that Saturday. I visited most of the section. I learnt a lot from this cultural site.

Zoology section

The animal section was the first one to visit. This was an amazing site with endless animals, which have been preserved for ages. The animals appeared to be alive. It was surprising to read from the description the age the animals lived. Some had more than one million years. The site has preserved them keenly, and there is no smell. There were reptiles of all types; lizards, snakes, geckos, and turtles among others. The famous dinosaurs were there with their huge size. You could hardly believe that, the animal is not going to attack. Amphibians were not left aside. Frogs and toads of all sizes are preserved there. I was shocked to see a toad as large as a sheep. These large amphibians are locked in the western side where the climate favorable for them. Mammals of types were there. From the 3 centimeter small rat to the huge elephant and whale, they all feed their young ones with milk from the mammary glands. Birds of all types and color were there. Surprisingly, the birds have their feathers and beaks as beautiful as those living birds. Every bird is preserved next to its nest and eggs. I never thought there are such beautiful birds.  The most interesting part of the zoology sector was the insect section. There are so many insects win this world. Some are too small to be noticed while others are as big as a puppy. The insects are placed in mirrors with their name, food, location, and whether they are harmful or not. This is where I learnt that a female playing mantis eats the male after mating.

Plant section

This part had many types of trees and plants preserved. The leaves are still green despite the long time they were cut. Green plants and non-green plants are all there. La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum has the insectivorous plants which feed on insects. Some were captured with an insect ready to be digested. This was astonishing. The parasitic plants that depend on other plants is also available. The plants that were used as traditional herbs are indicated.

Human evolution

I was shocked to see how human beings evolved from apes to the intelligent man we have today. There are several skulls with historic names such as Dryopithecus, Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, Eygyptopithecus, and homo sapiens among others. The place where the skull was discovered is indicated. The founder of the skull is also honored for such a discovery. The skulls have different shapes and sizes. I took me a whole hour trying to relate the skulls with human beings in this twenty first century.

Fashion and design

This is a fantastic section. There are wonderful high-end pieces from Italy, France, Spain and other parts of the world. The designs used in from the 14^th century are available. These include fine arts, furniture, industrial products and much more. These people used to decorate their houses with red soil and tree barks. Flowers were mixed to produce beautiful colors, which decorated the houses. All designs from different parts of the world are available. Fashion and dressing code from different groups are displayed. I desired decorating our house with the gorgeous furnishing in La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum store.

Culture

Cultural and heritage section was the last one I visited. This is because I knew I would take a lot of time in this section. The section is not only interesting but also revealing. Every sub-tribe and tribe in the nation is clearly described. The traditional homesteads are built with all that they entailed. Each group had its social, political and religious beliefs which are well illustrated. I entered these houses and huts made with cow dung and mud. The grass thatched hats were too cool and comfortable. Traditional specialists such as blacksmith, medicine men, witch doctors, and sorcerers are crafted. I loved how ancestors lived. There was more peace and less pollution. They ate healthy food that was not refined. Every tribe has a special ancestor who is crafted in honor of that tribe. The most popular chief or emperors of the tribes were also honored at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum. There is much evidence portraying political, social, economic, and/or cultural factors in local history. There are many treaties signed from time in memorial. This proves that people value peace and dislike war. They could do anything possible to prevent conflict and disputes. The locals are religious. They had different worship centers and shrines. This proves that they believed in a sovereign being and sacrificed to him. The locals value democracy. They signed in several agreements to allow every citizen right to vote. The locals valued trade. They exchanged goods with goods in their long period barter trade. They also used cowrie shells as a form of currency before money was innovated.

Documentation

La Plaza de Cultura y Artes has much documentation, which has been used in the nation. Copies of all treaties which have been signed in the nation are available. Agreements signed during the colonial period and during the world wars are preserved. The draft constitution of the fourteenth century is there to remind the people where they originated. Bibliographies of all heads of state are also available. Currency in different units is displayed in this section.

Reflection and Recommendation

This museum is significant for everyone who desire to comprehend Mexican-American, Latino and, Chicano cultures in America especially in Los Angeles. This new museum is new and with lots of potential. I loved the museum and enjoyed being there from morning to evening. This museum gives a voice to the Chicano culture. Visitors have a lot to learn within the walking space to Olvera Street. I soaked up more culture through items, food and clothing. It was inspiring and informative.  I was able to add my own delicacy to the video assortment. However, there are several recommendations from this research. Firstly, it is important to integrate other languages and especially Spanish language in the exhibits. This is important as it will help a larger number of people to benefit from the site unlike now when only those who understand English can benefit. Additionally, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes should introduce guides to help people who are new to the environment. It took me a whole hour trying to locate the fashions and designs section. This should be solved to reduce time wasted location sections.