Long Beach Main library recently censored Lethia Cobbs, a Disabled Student Services writing specialist at California State University, Long Beach and a local artist.
Cobbs said her depiction of a white doll in a police uniform standing over a much smaller armless black doll, lying on the ground attracted the most attention.
When a library staff member saw her putting up the armless doll, she approached Cobbs, saying that she felt it would be too inflammatory and requested that she remove one of the dolls. Cobbs said she complied, and the exhibit went on display only featuring the white doll standing in a police uniform.
“By December, so much had happened with all the police killings and action, that I felt compelled to do a scene reflecting that,” Cobbs said.
Cobbs said she was able to get her work exhibited at the library by submitting it for review in June 2014.
Long Beach spokesperson Kerry Gerot said removing the doll “did not follow normal approval procedures” because it was modified without review and approval of Library Director, Glenda Williams.
“As soon as we were made aware of the issue last week, the library contacted the artist to return the doll to the exhibit as soon as possible,” Gerot said. “The doll was returned to the exhibit on Monday [Jan. 26] morning at the artist’s earliest convenience.”
Gerot said a display of a review of the protocols and procedures on the art exhibits at the library is underway.
“I think that the display is perfectly appropriate for our city,” Daquan Jackson, a Long Beach Polytechnic High School senior said when viewing the dolls. “And it’s important for it to be displayed and raise awareness about the issues in our community between the citizens and police because how else will people who don’t go through what we go through.”
Cobbs has been interested in creating art since she was young and has been featured in community art shows.
“My grandmother taught me to sew and to crochet, and I used to draw just for fun when I was younger,” Cobbs said. “I started doll-making to relieve stress when my mother passed away in 2013.”
Cobbs’ exhibition of handmade dolls consists of several different installations, including a mermaid, a couple at the beach, a little black girl reading a book and one inspired by Dia De Los Muertos.
“I think it’s important for artists to be given the freedom, the room, to respond to the issues and events of their time, and that’s what that particular piece was about,” Cobbs said.
Cobbs has also won second place in a painting contest in a Lakewood community art show in 2013. Cobbs also has a doll on display at the William Grant Still Community Arts Center in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, which will be on display through the middle of February.