Skip to Content

The Los Angeles Times has an obituary this morning of a woman who deserves your respect and attention. In 1959 (which was really not that long ago), Holmes and her husband moved to a new neighborhood in Pacoima, a simple act that people take for granted today. However, because the family was black and the neighborhood white, the couple was showered with racist abuse. According to the Times:

Rocks were thrown through their windows. Burning crosses appeared on their lawn. Tacks were scattered on the driveway around their cars, which were pelted with eggs. One night an ugly message was painted on a wall in front of their house: "Black Plague, Don't let it spread."

At the time, such behavior was not uncommon in LA, and the easy thing would be to sell the home and move back to an integrated neighborhood-- but Bobbie Lee refused. She and her husband Emory fought back, using the court system to challenge their racist neighbors and fight for their right to live where they pleased. Back to the article:

In 1960 they pressed charges against two neighbors and won. The harassment stopped and they remained in the neighborhood for 20 years. Over time, their son said, they became good friends with some of the neighbors who had been among their bitterest antagonists.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

‘We Will Win:’ USC Students Won’t Back Down, Committing To Their Fight For Palestine Despite Arrests

One of their main demands is for the school to not only commit to a complete academic boycott of Israel and their killing of Palestinians, but also to be transparent about how much the school is investing. 

Swarm of Police in Riot Gear Destroy Peaceful Pro-Palestine Encampment At UCLA During Early Morning Raid, Over 200 Arrested

At 4 AM, CHP broke through the fencing on the other side of the encampment and set up a police line, consistently firing flash-bang grenades into the air. They also fired on protestors with “less-lethal” munitions and rubber bullets, causing an injury to one protester’s face that required stitches. 

May 3, 2024

Ten Palestinian-Owned Restaurants to Support in L.A. and O.C.

Supporting our local Palestinian restaurants not only allows you to experience excellent cooking and recipes from a culture and people who have been making these dishes for generations, but it also helps to broaden our worldviews on a culture some forces seek to bury and erase. 

May 2, 2024

Where To Find Don Perico, The Mexican-Owned Brand Bringing Tropical Flavors To Dispensaries

The products, with their festive packaging, tropical flavors, and colorful parrot mascot, are relatable and better yet, they taste great, are fast-acting, and strong.

April 30, 2024
See all posts