Nay to maclay!

Written by guest Daisy Macias

I believe it was last week when I saw a video of people gathered in San Fernando with the mayor discussing changing the name of Maclay Avenue.  I found that very shocking. I live on Maclay Avenue by the other businesses like the San Fernando Library and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream. I have lived there almost all my life. It wasn’t until San Fernando hosted an event where they closed Maclay all day in order to host a big block party where families could walk, ride their bikes, and see what other businesses had to offer.  On Maclay there also resides the first two- storey house historic to San Fernando- that day opened to the public, with a presentation of the history of San Fernando. In the presentation, the guide mentioned Maclay being named after a man who we can now consider racist.

The guide mentioned how Charles Maclay oppressed and owned many natives. My mother and I, as well as the rest of the people in our group were surprised. We knew Maclay Avenue to be just Maclay. We had no idea who it was named after. After reading the Daily News article, I agree with the need to change the street name. Maclay Avenue is a main street. Thousands of people pass through daily for food, gas, goods, celebrations, and more. No one should have streets or buildings named after them if they did more harm than good in the community.  As mentioned in the article, "After the purchase was complete, sheriff’s deputies collected belongings of tribal leader Rocha and his wife and forcibly removed them along with other Fernandeno Tataviam families to Lopez Canyon, dumping their possessions near a road. Left without shelter.” This man came to the land of Natives, forced them to leave, and threw them at the side of the road with nowhere to go. This man should not be honored.
“I know there is going to be some resistance from some business owners and residents, and we are ready to hear from them,” mentioned our mayor, Sylvia Ballin.   I feel if the residents and business owners of San Fernando were informed of the petition to change the street and the reasons for the change, they will be more understanding. Many residents in San Fernando have already met and are planning to change the street name without informing those living on the street first. My family have not received anything in the mail in regards of this. When I told my family they were shocked too. I agree with changing the street name but it is important that the people on Maclay know about everything before they take further actions.  It will take some time to adjust to the new name and change city document information, but that extra work does not compare to what the natives had to go through. They need JUSTICE!

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