On a recent hot afternoon in the Crenshaw district, at an intimate African-themed community center that dates back to the 1960s, a group of seasoned Black activists and concerned citizens met to discuss the mayoral race in L.A., a showdown between incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman that is now in its final weeks. Bass had been flagging in the polls, and the conversation was about how she might regain momentum at this late date.
The unspoken consensus at the meeting was that Bass is Black L.A.’s candidate, reflected in part by the mayor’s endorsements by a long list of noted Black organizations, ministers, elected officials and grassroots leaders. Nonetheless, as the meeting progressed, a bigger question surfaced, almost as a side note: Does Bass deserve Black support?
