Editorial: A love letter to the Latina/o political class: Call for collective outrage and action

During these dark times—as a continuation of the past and future— Latina/o elected officials, government appointees and political operatives, etc., must engage in collective outrage and strategic action.

As we recognize the incremental work being done by individuals and organizations daily to defend the interests of working-class Latinas/os and immigrants, our precarious times require us to demand, not beg, that our civic and human rights are respected by the dominant political establishments—Democrats and Republicans, alike.

These changing times require a lot more from all of us, particularly our political leaders.  We expect and must hold our political leaders to lead with courage, conviction and strategic vision to address the turbulent days ahead.  We expect more from you, yes on the national level but also at the local and regional level.  

Where’s our outrage when Trump promises to deport millions of our people, like the Eisenhower and Hoover administrations of the 20th Century?

When will our regional Latino political leaders start to raise hell about the mass deportation threats of our people? Will we show outrage when they round up our people, including children, teens, adults and the elderly?

Will we finally be outraged when they identify and hold us in detainment centers before the mass deportations begin?

Instead of gaining representation, where we should be making progress towards parity with our demographics, we are losing seats! While identity needs to be balanced with truly advancing Latino economic and social priorities as well as building a multiracial coalition for the future, representation cannot take a backseat.  

At the county level, according to 2023 Census data, while Latinas/os represent 4.7 million residents (or 48.6% of the total population), we’ll only hold one out of five Board of Supervisor seats (or just 20% of all Board seats).

At the city level, according to 2023 Census data, while Latinas/os represent 1.8 million residents (or 47% of the total population), we are at the lowest level of representation in decades—only holding four Council Member seats out of 15 (or 27%).  

And once elected, county and city leaders fail miserably to appoint Latinas/os at high-level administrative or leadership positions. As of early December 2024, Latinas/os represent only 30% of department heads at the county level and just 21% at the city level. Even worse, there’s an absence of Latina/o representation leading top-level city departments. This includes the City Treasurer, Administrative Officer, Clerk and Chief Legislative Analyst. This also includes a lack of Latina/o department heads at DWP, PortLA, LAWA, LAPD and LAFD. Additionally, of the sixteen active deputy mayors listed on the Controller’s website, only two have Spanish surnames. 

Moreover, the recent mayoral appointment and city council confirmation of Jim McDonnell, the former Los Angeles County Sheriff, as the 59th chief of the LAPD should be a cause of outrage for us all! Showing leadership, council members Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez opposed this xenophobic appointment. 

As then-Los Angeles County Sheriff, McDonnell permitted federal authorities to target undocumented immigrants for deportation in the county jail system under the then-Trump administration. This, alone, should automatically disqualify him from serving in a city where 1.8 million Latinas/os reside!

Where’s our collective outrage when our people are being attacked and disrespected nationally, regionally and locally? 

Where’s our dignity when we remain silent? 

Where’s our self-respect when we don’t act? 

As political leaders in our communities, you have a moral imperative to defend the interests of our people, especially the most vulnerable among us: immigrants. We are not here to beg and settle for crumbs. Given our tremendous contributions to this country and family values that enrich this nation, as citizens and residents, we demand to be treated with dignity and respect. 

To close, please accept our letter with humility, as we don’t aim to throw stones. Instead, we seek to throw rose petals for the love of our gente. 

- CALÓ News Editorial Board