Resignations are not enough. CISLA is calling for systemic change
in Los Angeles.
October 27, 2022
Amid anger, disappointment, and uncertainty resulting from leaked audio of a racist conversation between four Latino Los Angeles political and labor leaders, CISLA is reflecting on our position as an organization built on advocacy, community, diversity, and equity.
We, at CISLA, are inspired by the multi-racial and multi-generational coalition that has unified in its calls for the removal of the four leaders heard in the recording. This dark moment in current city history presents an opportunity to bring to light the longstanding historical, political, and cultural struggles plaguing our communities.
At the center of the scandal are former L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmembers Kevin De León and Gil Cedillo, and former L.A. County Federation of Labor Secretary Treasurer, Ron Herrera. So far, only Martinez and Herrera have resigned, while De León and Cedillo have refused - despite mounting public and political pressure. These four Latino leaders were secretly taped, strategically plotting to redraw city council districts to remove economic and political power from three historically Black city council districts. The recording also featured disparaging comments about Oaxacan people, and members of the LGBTQ, Jewish, and Armenian communities.
The four leaders claimed their actions were motivated by the desire to increase "Latino power," but we must resist the notion that growing Latino power is symbiotic with Black detriment. Instead, we must recognize that this was their plot to help themselves retain power rather than improve living conditions for the Latino population.
It's disheartening to witness members of one marginalized group of people conspiring to oppress another more vulnerable group. Removing these four political leaders is the first step to dismantling longstanding racial tensions between both communities. However, more must be done.
At this juncture in L.A. history, CISLA views the incident as a growth opportunity to reflect on our work and to double down our efforts to meet the needs of the students, families, and staff we support.
We will not allow these self-serving political and labor leaders to derail decades of Black and Brown solidarity efforts that have advanced positive social and economic conditions in this city. We also recognize the need to engage openly in conversations about the painful vestiges of colonialism that haunt the Latino community and manifest in cultural interactions through colorism, homophobia, and anti-Indigenous and anti-Black sentiments.
As a Guatemalan immigrant who has benefitted from the investments, love, and guidance of Black people, I know that this is a lifelong journey that requires intentional work and practice. I also know we cannot absolve ourselves of the responsibility to address these issues among our families, circle of friends, and within our organizations.
I am proud of CISLA's 15+ year history of investing in programming and practices that prioritize Black and Latino students, especially those forced to live in poverty. In recent years, we have also been intentional in our support of Indigenous students and their families. Still, these moments call for an even more significant commitment and investment from us.
In the coming months, CISLA will embark on discussions to explore complex racial unity and tensions across Los Angeles and to begin the work to deepen our programming to build bridges that shift the mindsets of these future leaders and L.A. residents.
In solidarity,
Elmer G. Roldan
Executive Director
Amid anger, disappointment, and uncertainty resulting from leaked audio of a racist conversation between four Latino Los Angeles political and labor leaders, CISLA is reflecting on our position as an organization built on advocacy, community, diversity, and equity.
We, at CISLA, are inspired by the multi-racial and multi-generational coalition that has unified in its calls for the removal of the four leaders heard in the recording. This dark moment in current city history presents an opportunity to bring to light the longstanding historical, political, and cultural struggles plaguing our communities.
At the center of the scandal are former L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmembers Kevin De León and Gil Cedillo, and former L.A. County Federation of Labor Secretary Treasurer, Ron Herrera. So far, only Martinez and Herrera have resigned, while De León and Cedillo have refused - despite mounting public and political pressure. These four Latino leaders were secretly taped, strategically plotting to redraw city council districts to remove economic and political power from three historically Black city council districts. The recording also featured disparaging comments about Oaxacan people, and members of the LGBTQ, Jewish, and Armenian communities.
The four leaders claimed their actions were motivated by the desire to increase "Latino power," but we must resist the notion that growing Latino power is symbiotic with Black detriment. Instead, we must recognize that this was their plot to help themselves retain power rather than improve living conditions for the Latino population.
It's disheartening to witness members of one marginalized group of people conspiring to oppress another more vulnerable group. Removing these four political leaders is the first step to dismantling longstanding racial tensions between both communities. However, more must be done.
At this juncture in L.A. history, CISLA views the incident as a growth opportunity to reflect on our work and to double down our efforts to meet the needs of the students, families, and staff we support.
We will not allow these self-serving political and labor leaders to derail decades of Black and Brown solidarity efforts that have advanced positive social and economic conditions in this city. We also recognize the need to engage openly in conversations about the painful vestiges of colonialism that haunt the Latino community and manifest in cultural interactions through colorism, homophobia, and anti-Indigenous and anti-Black sentiments.
As a Guatemalan immigrant who has benefitted from the investments, love, and guidance of Black people, I know that this is a lifelong journey that requires intentional work and practice. I also know we cannot absolve ourselves of the responsibility to address these issues among our families, circle of friends, and within our organizations.
I am proud of CISLA's 15+ year history of investing in programming and practices that prioritize Black and Latino students, especially those forced to live in poverty. In recent years, we have also been intentional in our support of Indigenous students and their families. Still, these moments call for an even more significant commitment and investment from us.
In the coming months, CISLA will embark on discussions to explore complex racial unity and tensions across Los Angeles and to begin the work to deepen our programming to build bridges that shift the mindsets of these future leaders and L.A. residents.
In solidarity,
Elmer G. Roldan
Executive Director
