CRA Chair Cary Sabol defends choice of "L-Dub" versus "LuLa" as the name for the CRA arts program.

The CRA met last Tuesday night and decided to name the arts program name "L-Dub" instead of the previously proposed "LuLa."  "L-Dub" is short for L.W.  There was concern by some in the community about its origins in gang slang and other urban slang references.  Here, in an e-mail to a concerned resident, Mr. Sabol explains the reasons for his vote.

Dear Anna Maria,

I appreciate that you are interested enough in this issue to contact our Board about the recent naming of our arts program.  I had hoped there would be more public input, so your opinions are greatly appreciated.  Regardless of which option we choose, there will always be some members of our community who would have preferred a different outcome.  This is the nature of democracy.  It may not be a perfect system of government, but it's all we have and has historically proven to be the most fair and equal system of governing to date.  

Anyhow, since I did vote in favor of L Dub, I can tell you what my thoughts on this issue are, but please understand that I do not speak for any other members of the Board or CRA Staff.  First, you are correct that L Dub began as a slang term.  But at the same time, it is a reference to Lake Worth that has existed for many years and is now commonly known throughout the community and beyond.  It is a reference to Lake Worth that has arisen naturally and organically, rather than by force, which is how an arts program should develop.  Regardless of its origins, L Dub has now become a mainstream reference to our great City of Lake Worth.  As such, any negative connotations have already been greatly dissipated and I believe that our use of this term will further deflate the negative connotations that L Dub may have.

Moreover, it is my belief that the best way to quash the negativity surrounding a word or phrase is to reject the negative reference, own it, and turn it upside down until what was once considered negative will no longer be.  The fact that some still consider L Dub as a put down of Lake Worth further supports my reasoning for voting in favor of it.  We should take control of L Dub and transform it into what we want it to be -- a symbol of the cultural and artistic personality that makes Lake Worth the city we all love so much.

I am sure LULA could have been a great name for our program as well as an infinite number of other options.  However, our Board, by majority, voted to name the program L Dub and we can now, finally move forward with this program and continue to increase Lake Worth's reputation as an artistic destination.  I am confident that as this program develops and once we have taken the term L Dub away from those who use it to criticize and tear down the reputation of our City, you will realize that L Dub was, in fact, the best choice.

Once again, thank you for your input.  I hope that you will now redirect your energy towards making this program a success rather than remaining focused on the outdated connotation that L Dub once had.  I encourage you to contact me anytime and to provide any ideas you may have to help our arts program succeed.

Cary Sabol