This is our flag, with a star for every state and a stripe for each of the 13 former colonies that broke away from England, declaring independence on July 4, 1776. The declaration marked the start the Great American Experiment, which continues toward its goal or pursuing liberty and justice for all. Under this flag grows a society and culture that has attracted immigrants from all over the world, turning diversity into strength. The result has been a singular American culture that changes constantly, absorbing the influences of immigrants and instilling in them core values such as freedom and democracy as they assimilate to their new home. Our culture’s greatest strength is the ability to adjust to good fortune and hard times alike, and many of us are feeling hard times these days. The challenge now is to keep liberty and justice as cornerstones of the American culture as we make our adjustments and face our challenges. Anyone who needs a reminder only has to look to our flag.
Local Hero - 11/13/2008
The U.S. Supreme Court decided many years ago that everyone has a right to legal representation. That’s where we got the f ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 11/07/2008
The Garment & Citizen hails all current and past members of the U.S. military who will be honored this Veterans Day ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 10/31/2008
Business is slow these days (see related story, left), but there’s always something causing a stir for these two hard-work ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 10/24/2008
Roberto Jordan knows how to finish a job. That’s what the native of Guatemala City, Guatemala, does every day at Jose Grad ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 10/17/2008
Walter Melton is a lot of things—Skid Row resident, everyday worker, blogger, former Ivy Leaguer, and not a bad tennis pla ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 10/10/2008
Felipe Alarcon finds a lot to like about his life. He likes people. He likes to work. He likes to ride his bicycle. No won ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 10/02/2008
Not everyone can expect extra work hours these days, with all the economic uncertainty in the air. But Sylvia Yanez can co ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 09/26/2008
Maria Mendez is happy to be working at the new Save A Lot grocery store in the Echo Park district northwest of Downtown. O ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 09/19/2008
Louise Capone is a senior recreation director for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, overseeing Pershing ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 09/12/2008
Irantzu Pujadas is a new face on the staff of 14th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar, serving as his dep ... [ Full Story ]
The Los Angeles Garment & Citizen is the community newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods, including the Arts District, Chinatown, Echo Park, Little Tokyo, Pico-Union, Silver Lake and Westlake.The Garment & Citizen reaches more than 20,000 readers weekly, an audience that spans the demographic makeup of the city and serves as the leading edge of statewide and national trends.