Little Ethiopia - How it Happened
Tadias.com, Azeb Tadesse & Meron Ahadu, Posted: May 18, 2003
Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles is a place named for its unique ability to put forward a serving of Ethiopia. There has been much speculation on how this area came about and what it took to visibly acknowledge the essence of the area.
Little Ethiopia began as a notion. Over a 10-year period, a number of Ethiopian restaurants and specialty store businesses slowly began to relocate to a strip on Fairfax Avenue. The neighborhood was soon transformed from an abandoned boarded up drive-by strip into a hub for community life, buzzing with colors, aroma, and affability of Ethiopian’s ancestral home. As years passed, Ethiopians and Angelinos began to label the area as “Little Addis”, “Little Ethiopia”, and “Ethiopian Restaurant Row”.
The notion began to take hold after PBS aired a segment of Huell Howeser’s popular “Our Neighborhood” show entitled “Little Ethiopia”. Meron Ahadu, co-author of this article, was the tour guide for that segment and the show got its title from the fact that the strip offered visitors a slice of Ethiopia.
The chain of events that led to the fruition of Little Ethiopia began when Meron Ahadu and Tirsit Asrat organized a fundraiser for Congressman Mervyn Dymally, who played a key role in the mid 80’s in helping Ethiopians get amnesty. At the time, he was running for a seat in the California State Assembly. Unfortunately, the turnout by the Ethiopian community was disappointing. Nonetheless, it was at this event that the idea of Little Ethiopia was put forth and the Congressman pledged his support.
Five women came together to plan another benefit for the Congressman with a goal to get better participation from the Ethiopian community. It was at this time that the need became apparent to form a non-partisan organization that stood for an increased involvement of the Ethiopian community in the U.S. democratic process. Hence, the Ethiopian-American Advocacy Group (EAAG) was established. In addition to raising funds for Congressman Dymally, the function held on July 26, 2002 was the launching ceremony of EAAG. Various city and state officials attended this highly successful event. One of the short- term projects presented at this occasion was Little Ethiopia and it won the support of Herb Wesson, Speaker of the House for the California State Assembly, and Councilman Nate Holden of District 10, where Little Ethiopia was proposed to be located.
On August 7, 2002, the motion to name Little Ethiopia was presented to the Los Angeles City Council. Consequently, as a result of aggressive lobbying of several political personalities by EAAG members, the City Council voted unanimously to designate the area on Fairfax Avenue, between Olympic and Pico, as Little Ethiopia. The enormous support and candid enthusiasm of the City Council members and the larger Ethiopian community came as a pleasant surprise to many, even to those who worked on the project. A highly successful street festival organized by the community followed on November 24, 2002, to inaugurate the area as Little Ethiopia. A one-block stretch of Fairfax was closed to through traffic for a street festival featuring children’s village, cultural dance and music, fashion show and contemporary Ethiopian music. Approximately 5,000 people attended the festival from all walks of life and congratulations were received from around the globe. City officials and community leaders unveiled the sign designating the place as Little Ethiopia and thus the area was renamed bearing Ethiopia’s name.
This event was truly significant in many respects; firstly, this was the first time in the entire history of the United States that a city has recognized an African country by naming an area after it. Secondly, Little Ethiopia is the only place outside of Ethiopia that bears the name of the motherland. As one drives through the area, it is difficult to ignore the official sign designating the area. In that respect, it indicates that Ethiopians have arrived, are here to stay, and have stood up to be counted as vibrant members of the City of Los Angeles. Finally, yet importantly, this is a legacy for the next generation of Ethiopian-Americans. They will not be burdened with the task of establishing their identity but will have a footnote in the history books to refer to as they strengthen and build their presence in the U.S. and aboard.
It is quite overwhelming to realize that a deed at the local level should have such a universal significance. However, this only bears witness to the importance of engaging one’s surrounding, and begs the question: what can be accomplished if we focus on our commonality by setting aside our differences? What could the 65,000 Ethiopians in Southern California do if they join forces? How about the more than 500,000 Ethiopians in the U.S.? Better yet, what could a coalition of a couple of million African immigrants accomplish? EAAG hopes we will find out in our lifetime.
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User Comments
Ayn on Jun 04, 2003 at 06:39:51 said:
Like many before me I would like to congratulate you guys for your remarkable effort in making it happen and explaining how it happened.
Having said that I would like to make the following comment. I visited the place twice. You said "the strip offered visitors a slice of Ethiopia". I have noticed that partly. I would like to see more on how to offer visitors, not like me an Ethiopian but others who associate Ethiopa with other thing than famine.
One way of doing this could be to look beyond how it happened. Searching answers for a question "how do we develop the place" and rethinking "why it happened" would help to generate ideas. By doing so we can create the image of the country we would like to portray for the world.
This may take a wider involvement and effort of multifarious stakeholders, including many in LA. It could create a sense of responsibility at a nation level, which may have a wider implication for our homeland.
Keep on pushing the boundary for the better image of Ethiopia that includes our history, culture, development, civilisation besides restaurants and shops.
Demirew Toronto on May 22, 2003 at 05:07:16 said:
Maybe we should try a women Prime minster...?
cherkos D on May 20, 2003 at 10:43:43 said:
Well, What can i say. It's very appreciate work.
Selam le ethiopia
Tedla M.G on May 20, 2003 at 09:17:27 said:
I like the idea, and I think it is good to do the same in other states as well.
Mesfin Behanu on May 20, 2003 at 04:42:31 said:
YeEtiopia Amlak Yitebikachihu!
I have no word to express my heart felt appreciation to those Ethiopian ladies who have worked for labeling our proud country's name ETHIOPIA in LosAngeles. The message is not merely the street named after by Ethiopia but it also goes beyond that indicating our continous effort to fight until the end against discrimination of Black Africans in US and the rest of the West. You guys really did a very good historically recorded job.
May the God of Ethiopia keep safe you all.
Wishing you all the best,
Etopiawi Wondimachihu
Mesfin
Jemal on May 19, 2003 at 21:08:15 said:
as always, it is our women woh do the job!
Maren Haile Selassie on May 19, 2003 at 20:33:40 said:
All in all it is a great job. I congratulate you for your tireless effort and eventual success. Having said that, I politely disagree with your following remark.
-------------------------
Little Ethiopia is the only place outside of Ethiopia that bears the name of the motherland. -----------------------
There is a street which bears Ethiopia's name in Jerusalem/IL, Called "Ethiopian Street" not to mention all monasteries and churches in Jerusalem, Jericho, Be Tania etc. All are called "Ethiopian“ Ethiopian monastery, Ethiopian church etc. So your remark should refer to North America only.
Thanks and congratulation again.
MHS
Tadesse Kahessay on May 19, 2003 at 14:39:15 said:
The name Little Ethiopia will be a magnet to attract many more Ethiopians around the globe just to see the name of Our Beloved Country written in LA (USA).
America being America it was the right time to reflect its diversity in unity. Ethiopia certainly comands the respect and the recognition it deserves. The People of Ethiopia and USA have an excellent record of friendship for centuries and this only strenghnes and contributes more.
Thanks for those tireless Ethio-Americans for their hard work in order to put Ethiopia's name in the heart of America!
Tadesse Kahessay on May 19, 2003 at 14:37:02 said:
The name Little Ethiopia will be a magnet to attract many more Ethiopians around the globe just to see the name of Our Beloved Country written in LA (USA).
America being America it was the right time to reflect its diversity in unity. Ethiopia certainly comands the respect and the recognition it deserves. The People of Ethiopia and USA have an excellent record of friendship for centuries and this only strenghnes and contributes more.
Thanks for those tireless Ethio-Americans for their hard work in order to put Ethiopia's name in the heart of America!
Jarso Desta on May 19, 2003 at 12:45:42 said:
I am so proud of you five young energetic ladies. You made our country's name "Ethiopia" to appear by major traffic light posts and also in the city map of Los Angeles. Hope those that had seen the starving Ethiopian kids on TV will have a positive image of Ethiopia when they see the sign. Most of us, Ethiopians, love to talk and criticize others to no avail. You young ladies however have set us a tangiable example of what a few determined individuals can do. I hope this will set a concrete example for us Ethiopian men in LA and around the world to do like wise. God bless you all!
Woudineh on May 19, 2003 at 12:21:45 said:
I am especially touched by the comment "this is a legacy for the next generation of Ethiopian-Americans. They will not be burdened with the task of establishing their identity but will have a footnote in the history books to refer to as they strengthen and build their presence in the U.S. and aboard." This has said it all!! In the country where many people, especially black Americans, suffer from identity crisis, such an effort communicates something great to the coming generation. I hope that 'little Ethiopia' will be a place to visit by many who live outside of their homeland.
Ayalew Kassa on May 19, 2003 at 11:50:56 said:
Congratulation to you all for a job well done!!! Keep up the good work !!
M.Tessema on May 19, 2003 at 08:31:01 said:
congragulation i was very happy when i read the news but as previous commentator said appreciate if you could change little to something else.wish you all the best.
Teshome T on May 19, 2003 at 07:19:40 said:
Here a sign of resilience that has brought Ethiopia a 3000 years of history manifesting it self in the New World--- the country we call the United State of America. The vibrancy you are showing in California , is a promise that the proud, the beautiful people of Ethiopia would raise up again to reclaim their deserving place as jewels of Africa. Every thing about us promises greatness.
Kibrealem on May 19, 2003 at 07:00:28 said:
My Fellow Countrymen,
It is a good move, but never let it till you forgot your country. Rather it should be a spingboard to act as a community to help our beloved homeland - EMAMA ETHIOPIA.
All the best
Dawit Woldemariam on May 19, 2003 at 06:28:02 said:
Despite I was very happy to hear about your strugle to get the name "little Ethiopia" For your area, I am not surprised, as I think of US based Ethiopians are very fast and clever.
Here in UK, even though there are many well-educated Ethiopians, It happenes that we are a long way back from Ethiopians in US.
I hope this incident will inspire Ethiopians in UK.
Thank you for being a role model.
and Congratulation!
Dawit
Mahlet on May 19, 2003 at 04:23:36 said:
Well done. I think it\'s great that places are beginning to be labeled by names of African locations. Eveything else in this country is called \'new york\', \'new brunswick\', \'new england\', etc. I\'d like to see more of \'new timbuktu\', \'new ethiopia\' and \'tanganyika towns\'around!
Can\'t believe LA did it before DC! Way to go.
eri-bekentu on May 19, 2003 at 03:58:21 said:
Besides the good news the statstical figuers and the ideas you have mentioned in your last paragraphs caught my attention and fired my ignition to vent my own version of what I see in those figures. To substantiate my view I will give you an example of miracles in numbers.It is my understanding those living in US and the western world are well aware of an online company which has became a house hold name. The com. I am talking about is amazon.com, a multibillion dollar company striving to become one dominant global company our world witnessed its begnning in the 1990's. This compony have its humble beginning based on the simple observation and analysis of the number of people heatting the web.Those numbers were observed by Jeff, a visionary and now the CEO of the company, and analyzed and interpreted what a miracle they could do in the coming 10 years. He parted from his good paying job to start the comp. and I will leave the rest to your observation.
Similarly, I belive with 1 in 5 Ethiopian willing to invest an amount of 1000 US dollar a year we can break the cycle of famine which shames as every where we go and create lots of jobs that can pull many Ethiopians from the ditch of poverty we are entrenched in and also help in creating a free and independent society. With my simple calculation, I visualize a size of a bank 2 to 3 times bigger than CBE. you might have some Other ideas better forward it lets entertain it and start working around this numbers.
nunu on May 19, 2003 at 03:07:56 said:
Congratulations for all Ethiopians who live in the US especially those of you who work in the project till the end.
Girma Workaferahu on May 19, 2003 at 02:40:39 said:
I am so happy for your hard work and come with a name called "Little Ethiopia". It brings all Ehiopians to be united and help each other. I have heard that 500,000 Ethiopian people live in the United States. Therefore, i never have heard someone stands for to help its conrty. As i read the news every time , ethiopian poeple are starving and need help. How we can stand all together to help these poeple? Can we be united and spare a dollar or more?
girma
Dawit Z on May 19, 2003 at 02:04:24 said:
God Bless Ethiopia & America.
amnyus Desta on May 19, 2003 at 01:26:17 said:
what a story, God blessed those who put toghter for such an outstanding work to recognize the country with 3000 years hisory, and blessed united states of America.
Amnyus
Esayas Sb. on May 18, 2003 at 23:28:25 said:
It is really wonderful. I wish Ethiopians in the US to win the election campaign for presidency, write an other note in the history of America.
Selamihun on May 18, 2003 at 19:50:37 said:
''Little'' Ethiopia? I was first surprised by seeing the word 'little'. I asked myself 'we are the last in every aspect, now what? What criteria is not mentioned yet that belittles this country?''. I opened it and the news is different. You probably translated the meaning directly from Amharic to mean 'TINISHUWA ETHIOPIA'. Whilist I appreciate your work, the name 'Little Ethiopia' - sounds awkward. If you donot mind, check what TINISHUWA should be, I am sure little can not be used in the context you used it here.
Admasu Abebe on May 18, 2003 at 08:30:47 said:
I am overwhelmed by the news. My sincere congradulations for your success. I fuly endorse the ideas forwarded in the last paragraph.
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