Moses Mora and MB Hanrahan discuss their Tortilla Flats Mural Project, which explores and documents the stories and lives of the people who lived in the historical westside Ventura area known as “Tortilla Flats.”
By the 1950’s, Tortilla Flats was displaced by the Ventura Freeway. This multi-cultural neighborhood of working-class Mexican, Chumash, African American and “dustbowl” Anglo-Americans who lived along Figueroa and Garden Street contributed greatly to the social, cultural and political Ventura history. In its hey-day, the area was a lively neighborhood that attracted some of the biggest band acts of the era including Tommy Dorsey and Chuck Berry. The Tortilla Flats Mural Project, located underneath the 101 freeway overpass, on Figueroa St., celebrates this neighborhood as an integral part of Ventura history not to be forgotten.
Producer: GeorgeAlger.com
Director: Petrina Sharp
Original Music/Camera/Editing: Alan Alger
Sponsor: SkyworksMarketing.com
Sponsor: NonprofitFire.org
Great video covering MB and Moses and their involvement with these murals.
Why do have to differentiate the white or anglo-american portion of this historic community by adding “dustbowl” ?
It seems like a great opportunity to showcase a long history of America coming together regardless of race,color, or creed and not only being able survive but thrive through it. I guess I’m just wondering why go the extra effort to only one of the groups discussed?