Racism is alive and well in the San Fernando Valley, and we should all be concerned. How prevalent is it? All you have to do is go back to the audio recording leak last October that led to the resignation of then-LA City Council President Nury Martinez who represented parts of the Valley. Fast forward to today and voters will have the opportunity to stop the clock on racism in the region.
Two candidates will face off on June 27 to fill the vacant Council District 6 seat formerly held by disgraced Martinez. Imelda Padilla who is backed by downtown special interests and a prominent landlord group – The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles – versus pro-worker Marisa Alcaraz who is supported by scores of respected labor unions, as well as renowned elected, community and local leaders.
As 1 Corinthians 15:33 reminds us, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Let’s explore this thought given the weight this election has on the City of LA and the urgent need to strengthen race relations in the wake of the deeply disturbing scandal.
As a previous Field Deputy to former Councilwoman Martinez, Padilla is now regarded by critics as Nury 2.0. The unbreakable bond between them runs deep and it is unquestionable especially when looking at photos of the two. With Padilla being mentored by Martinez, it appears she has adopted similar interests, leadership style and ideologies.
While Martinez has gone into hiding, Padilla has now filled that void very publicly with yet another individual with questionable character whose recent actions have rubbed many in the Black and Brown communities the wrong way. I’m talking about Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez who is not only Padilla’s biggest cheerleader as she makes her run for the Council seat, but also happens to quietly work with shamed Councilmember Kevin de León who played a key role in the anti-Black conversation alongside Martinez and former Councilmember Gil Cedillo.
In fact, Rodriguez is the only Councilmember who has signed on to motions presented by de León, ignoring the cries from the public demanding he be removed from his position of power. Clearly, Councilwoman Rodriguez is looking the other way of his past indiscretions and abhorrent actions.
While it appears to be “acceptable” for Councilwoman Rodriguez to support Councilmember de León, she had no problem voting against Councilwoman Heather Hutt’s appointment to represent CD 10. So much for female leaders of color supporting one another. Rodriguez was the lone member to cast a vote of “no” against the only Black City Councilwoman.
The harsh reality points to a web of implicit bias and the beginning of a Padilla, Rodriguez and de León coalition aimed at lifting up Latinos by any means necessary. If you don’t believe me, just look at who’s donating to the Padilla campaign and you’ll see that it includes many staffers from the de León camp.
It is up to voters to stop the venom shared between the group that continues to spread. Their past and present actions perpetuate the cycle of racism and undermine the responsibility of our leaders to serve the people with integrity, no matter the skin color, tone or nationality. A vote for Padilla will only strengthen an alliance built on division and securing power on the heels of suppression.
So we have to ask ourselves, is this the company we wish to keep? Council District 6: pull the wool from over your eyes and choose your tribe wisely.