Anthony Bruce, second from right, a great-great grandson of Charles and Willa Bruce, holds up the title deed of the oceanfront property known as Bruce's Beach during a dedication ceremony in Manhattan Beach, Calif., Wednesday, July 20, 2022, as he is joined by wife, Sandra, from right, Los Angeles County officials, Holly J. Mitchell, Janice Hahn and Dean Logan. Los Angeles County officials on Wednesday presented the deed to prime California oceanfront property to heirs of the Black couple who built a beach resort for African Americans but were harassed and finally stripped of the land nearly a century ago. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Oh, Happy Day! What a monumental moment! Bruce’s Beach became a historical event when it debuted in the headlines of June 2022. At that time, I thought it was an extraordinary story to post and wondered how long it would take to reverse a century-old debt. So, when I heard the news nearly one month after the initial announcement that the County of Los Angeles had issued a deed to the family, I was surely astonished by delight.
California beach returned to heirs of Black owners
On July 20th, 2022, the City of Los Angeles Municipality hosted a ceremony to acknowledge the return of the property to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce. The land was purchased in 1912 and was confiscated in 1924 under the “Eminent Domain Law.” The Bruce’s lost their life savings, investment, and the right to earn a living while denied access to transfer generational wealth to their children. A result of the cruelty they endured from a racist system.
As noted in the last blog post, Bruce’s Beach was created to provide a safe place for people of color for the first time in history since no black community members were allowed to step foot on the beach. Certainly, a practice countless black people indulge in today without thought. Significantly, no idea of stepping on the beach as being a crime. Many of us have planned annual events to picnic on the beach, which has become a family tradition. But after Bruce’s Beach was built and began to prosper, hostility, racial threats, and persecution ensued.
Three surfers watch as people gather for a dedication ceremony held to complete the return of an oceanfront property known as Bruce's Beach to the heirs of Charles and Willa Bruce in Manhattan Beach, Calif., Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Understandably, racist acts began during the period of segregation. Still, the purpose behind Willa and Charles’ vision was to create a place the black community could enjoy without breaking the laws of the land. I cannot imagine the devastation of their mental state. The turmoil at the hands of their persecutors and eventually by the court could not have been easy. Yet, they were forced to watch their dreams deteriorate by sheer abandonment for thirty years.
If we look at this viewpoint from a spiritual perspective, a good number will say: “The Ancestors have spoken from beyond.” I hope this trend will be extended to others, such as the Native Americans who lost most of their sacred land to development. Furthermore, that is my wish as I echo the sentiments of California State Senator Steven Bradford. He authored a state bill necessary to enable Los Angeles County to transfer the land to the heirs. “It will not reverse the injustice.” “But it represents a bold step in the right direction.” “It represents a template for other states to follow.” How soon will that happen, I wonder, left to be seen. However, it seems that the precedent has been set. Let us, therefore, see who is brave enough to follow. Reparation is a new trend, but it is necessary to heal old wounds. Thus, many white residents in the now upscale community objected to the transfer, and the votes received defined the results.
Undoubtedly, our history books need to be rewritten and expose the truth. Reveal the stigmas designed to show the prosperity of only one nationality. Various other races have tried and failed. Not because they were lazy. But because of selfish discrimination and power. As an Intern in Kean’s School of English Studies Department, I have found an avenue to research and educate myself and others through these blog posts on national and historical issues.
I also take this opportunity to recognize Janice Hahn. As a member of the Board of Supervisors in Los Angeles County, she took on the challenge of petitioning its launching process. Along with the required votes, it is determined that Marcus and Derrick Bruce, the great-grandsons of Charles and Willa Bruce, are their legal heirs. Stating, “They told me nothing like this had ever been done before”⸺“such a move is now no longer unprecedented.”
The process did not begin in June 2019 as first thought. It was June of 2020 when Janice Hahn became aware of the indiscretion. The family had already spent roughly fifteen years of financial, legal, and emotional pursuit petitioning the county and lawmakers that told them it was impossible. The spokesperson for the family explained that many of them had lived in extreme poverty and that restitution was a small price to pay for the loss of dignity and generational wealth. I hope this newfound wealth will support and strengthen the family and not divide them.
Campaign to return Bruce’s Beach back to family
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