So many reasons to live here

HUMBERTO CASPA

Here I am, back again in the same city that gave me shelter when I

first arrived in this country from my native Bolivia. No doubt, Costa

Mesa taught me the ropes. I earned my first dollars in this city,

working for a janitorial company in South Coast Plaza and making

pizzas at a nearby restaurant on Bristol Street.

I learned English at Orange Coast College, where I also taught

political science, history and ethnic studies. I moved away to other

cities a few times and even ended up staying in another country,

thinking I would never return. But here I am again, back in Costa

Mesa.

Despite the years, Costa Mesa continues to be the same attractive

small town. We have it all: a nice coastal climate, parks, great

shopping malls and an outstanding community college. There is little

reason, if any, to envy other cities. In fact, life is so good here

that many people from other states and nearby cities have decided,

like myself, to move in for a long length of time. Some of them have

even come to settle for good.

Recent indicators show the population in Costa Mesa has gone up

from 108,000 in 2000 to 112,000 in 2003. That is about a 4% growth

rate in a matter of three years. Amazing.

Among the ethnic groups rapidly increasing their numbers are those

of Latino background. In 2000, Hispanics or Latinos comprised 31% of

the total population, becoming the largest minority group in the

city. The planning department at City Hall didn’t have the latest

ethnic breakdown, but it is likely that Latinos made great strides in

the last four years.

Because of this latest demographic change, Costa Mesa has turned

into a diverse, multicultural city. It no longer looks like that

typical southern Orange County sanctuary, erroneously portrayed on

postcards, coffee-table books, e-magazines, and in “The OC”

television series. In many ways, Costa Mesa exemplifies the ongoing

changes taking place in California, particularly in terms of the

ethnic composition of its people.

In general, most Costa Mesa residents adjusted quite well to the

new arrivals. “I love Latino people,” one of my former colleagues at

OCC used to say. Another friend of mine is usually open and thankful

to Mexican people for introducing burritos, tacos and enchiladas to

our daily meals. “I have no idea what our city would look like

without their food,” he often says. I don’t know yet, but it

certainly wouldn’t be the Costa Mesa I know today.

There is, however, always that small numeric minority reluctant to

change. Instead of looking at the positive side, they usually like to

overstate ill-conceived stereotypes regarding other groups. I can

only say to them that Latinos are good people. They shouldn’t be

afraid of them.

There isn’t convincing evidence, or any scientific proof

explaining why Latinos prefer Costa Mesa over other coastal cities.

Unfortunately, research on this specific issue isn’t abundant. And

the media has left us with more questions than answers. Yet, those of

us who have been in touch with them, living and working

shoulder-to-shoulder and sharing their free time, can actually make a

few conclusive inferences.

Initially, the new Latino wave didn’t appear to be coming from

other countries, but rather from nearby cities. A great number of

them have well-established jobs, are hard-working individuals and

continue to strive for a better future.

In addition, they are here because they would like to improve

their lifestyle, or perhaps acculturate to mainstream America a bit

more. They enjoy the coastal climate, love the safe streets in their

new neighborhoods and especially feel good -- though are not totally

satisfied -- about schools in Costa Mesa.

Education appears to be the big factor in looking at the reasons

why Latinos began to move into this city. As Joana, a Harbor Village

resident, eloquently put it: “Adams Elementary School doesn’t have so

many supplies for my kids, but the education they receive here is

good. I’m very happy with the teachers. They give my children a lot

of homework.”

She complained that schools in Orange, where she used to live,

were overcrowded: “Teachers spent little time with my kids there,”

she said. While some people believe rent is expensive in Costa Mesa,

they also feel it is all worth it, considering the location, security

and the peacefulness found in the area.

Moreover, many Latinos lack deep understanding of political

matters, although some are eager to discuss general issues, such as

immigration, the war in Iraq or terrorism. Knowledge on local

politics can be quite limited and almost nonexistent.

Since their public needs are already provided either by the state,

local governments or the school district, their interest in politics

is temporarily shut down. But if those needs weren’t fulfilled, it is

likely that they would seek ways to redress their grievances by

engaging in heavy political activity.

In the meantime, Latinos continue to settle ground in this city,

bringing in their belongings, customs, culture and flavor, including

their noise. As newer generations become more sophisticated, their

input in the public sector and the community will be felt greatly.

It is simply time to learn more about them.

* HUMBERTO CASPA is a Costa Mesa resident and bilingual writer. He

can be reached by e-mail at hcletters@yahoo.com.