And sad on so many levels.
Within the past couple days, it has come to light that the president of the Los Angeles City Council, Nury Martinez, and other council members attending a private business meeting to discuss re-districting, were caught on tape using demeaning and downright insulting language to describe others on the council and other ethnic groups. The tape is from 2021 and the story was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The other council members who joined in making inflammatory remarks were Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León. Also present was Ron Herrera, president of the county’s powerful Federation of Labor. Mr. Herrera resigned on Monday, Oct.12th, as did council president Martinez from her leadership position, and just earlier today on Wednesday, all three members resigned from office.
Many have called the language used unacceptable and appalling, and even President Biden has asked for those involved to resign from office.
The insulting language was directed to one of their own – Council member Mike Bonin – who is admittedly gay and was referred to as a “little bitch” by Ms. Martinez. Then the insults were directed to Mr. Bonin’s son: “parece changuito” … he “looks like a little monkey.” Mr. Bonin adopted a boy of African American ancestry. The other council members chorused in.
Other Hispanics and Mexican immigrants were not spared either. Referring to Oaxacan immigrants living in Korea town, Ms. Martinez called them “feo” (ugly) “short little dark people”. Oaxaca is both the capital city, and a state in Mexico. It’s an insult to the Mexican people.
President Bill Clinton once described politics as a “rough and tumble sport”, but to have people in high positions like this and making these type of remarks about their own people and their own constituencies … well, it’s really sad.
It’s also a sad day for the Latino people in Los Angeles and is in no way reflective of who they are as a community. For decades, Latinos have worked hard and struggled to have better representation and a voice in local politics. As of earlier today, there are three vacant seats on the Los Angeles City Council. Perhaps it’s an opportunity to find city leadership that acts in the best interest of all its people whether they are Koreans, Whites, Latinos, Blacks, Armenians, etc. and does so with heart, purpose and a clear conscience.
PW