Anti-Blackness and Anti-Indigenous Hate, Colorism, Homophobia, Anti-Semitic, and Racist Language Have No Place Within Los Angeles County

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative, we join the many voices condemning the anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, anti-Semitic, homophobic, and racist statements made by elected officials and city leaders in LA City.

Anti-Blackness and anti-Indigenous hate, colorism, homophobia, anti-Semitic, and racist language have no place within Los Angeles County and most certainly not within government and policy-making spaces.

These comments demonstrate a long history of racist stereotypes and they show how structural racism occurs behind closed doors. We cannot move forward and heal without transparency and accountability from leaders who recognize the harm these comments and actions have upon our region and the many diverse communities we serve.

It’s more important, now than ever, for ARDI’s work to disrupt and take concrete action towards ending structural racism and bias in all of their forms.

In July 2020, the LA County Board of Supervisors (Board) recognized, affirmed, and declared that racism is a matter of public health in Los Angeles County (County) and that racism against Black people has reached crisis proportions that result in large disparities in family stability, health and mental wellness, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice, and housing. Furthermore, we recognize the systemic discrimination against Indigenous, Latino/a/x, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI), Immigrant, LGBTQIAAP, and many other communities that has resulted in negative life outcomes.

By establishing LA County’s anti-racist policy agenda and through the founding of ARDI, the Board has taken decisive action to eliminate structural racism and bias in the County. At the direction of our Board, here are a few of the steps ARDI is taking to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the County:

• Developing and implementing a Countywide strategic plan to eliminate structural racism and bias in the County;
• Launching an Equity Fund to address hate and bias directed toward AANHPI residents and communities of color;
• Producing a State of Black LA Report with concrete recommendations to improve outcomes for African American/Black communities;
• Partnering with the Department of Public Works to ensure that our infrastructure efforts center equity;
• Developing a Countywide prevention and promotion community-based delivery system that will improve departmental coordination and services for our residents; and
• Developing a Countywide diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging training framework for the County workforce.

While there is much more that needs to be done, these actions are concrete steps we are taking to ensure an end to the divisions, biases, and inequitable policies and practices inhibiting opportunity and denying our communities the right to determine their futures. We are committed to continuing our work as a County, in partnership with residents, community-based organizations, business and philanthropy, and working alongside local, state, and federal agencies to achieve better outcomes for all.

We must stand in solidarity and united against racism, hatred, and bigotry. Coming together to create and advance an anti-racist County enhances and brings prosperity to the lives of the children, families, and communities we serve. We all deserve to live our best lives, experience justice, and thrive.