Maria is joined by Erika D. Smith, columnist for the Los Angeles Times, and Alberto Retana, president and CEO of Community Coalition in South Los Angeles, to discuss the political scandal within the Los Angeles City Council. They get into the impact of redistricting on the city, and how this will all play out in the upcoming mayoral election between Rep. Karen Bass and Rick Caruso. They also address anti-blackness within Latino communities and the hope for true multiracial solidarity.

ITT Staff Picks: 

• Erika D. Smith writes about how the newest member of Los Angeles’ City Council, Heather Hutt, a Black woman, is already experiencing problems due to the racist words of her colleagues in this piece for the Los Angeles Times. 

• Jon Peltz writes about the future of Los Angeles City Council and what has happened since la.com/la-city-council-racist-leaked-audio-resign/">Knock LA published the leaked audio recordings from a 2021 meeting between three council members and the LA Labor Federation president.

• “Our culture’s power is more significant than any words of hate coming our way,” writes Bricia Lopez about the privilege of being from Oaxaca in this piece for L.A. Taco. 

Photo credit: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File