Griffith Middle School has always been a huge part of my identity as an East Los Angeleno. The name of the school creates a deeper sense of community amongst alumni. Even though the school name means a lot to us, it's time that we as a community revolt against historical figures of hatred. In this case: David Wark Griffith. 

In 2015, LAUSD teacher Jose Lara began a petition to accomplish the same goal. His petition garnered over 400 signatures but was unable to remove Griffith’s name from the institution. It’s time that we pick up the baton and take it across the finish line. This is our community. We must take charge and demand change because it’s the right thing to do.

D. W. Griffith Middle School, now known as Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School, has been a long-time staple in the East Los Angeles community but it’s been long past overdue for a name change. The school is named after film director David Wark Griffith, best known for his film “Birth of a Nation.”

Released in 1915, the film is important in the world of cinema. Griffith established what we now know as continuity editing, which helped develop cinematic language. His film portrays the white supremacist hate group, known as the Klu Klux Klan, as heroes. Griffith also cast white actors, putting them in blackface to play African-Americans in a horribly stereotypical way. His racist film perpetuated hateful stereotypes and was considered a blockbuster by that day’s standards. It was pretty much the “Avengers: Endgame” of its time.

Griffith had other accomplishments, such as being one of the founding members of United Artists, but there was never anything to justify his name being associated with our community.

It’s time that we demand better of our institutions. 2020 is the year of change and it’s up to us to see this mission through to the end. The name of the school should reflect the Latinx community in which it resides, instead of celebrating a racist. There are plenty of cultural figures we could name this school after. People who spent their lives paving a way for our people are far more deserving. Two obvious choices: Cesar Chavez or Jaime Escalante. Please help us accomplish our goal by signing our petition and sharing it with other community members.