Last fall, the LA city council came under fire after an audio recording that contained four council members, including De Leon, making racist and/or offensive comments about another council member and his family.
After the audio leaked, the community reacted with protests and contempt calling for the resignation of those involved. We spoke to some USC students to get their perspective on the situation. Lingchong Hu, a senior studying communications and communication data science says seeking reelection is a mistake.
Lingchong Hu: The fact that he has made such a mistake to the public, the fact that he’s seeking reelection means that he doesn’t recognize the mistake that he’s made.
Athan Sarantakis, a freshman studying human biology believes that government officials have a responsibility to be honest with their constituents.
Athan Sarantakis: I think definitely those council members should be a lot more transparent about their ideas and their ideologies, like our surrounding, especially for the people that are going to be voting for them.
Given that leading Democrats and even President Biden called for De Leon’s resignation, Sarantakis said he doesn’t take this re-election campaign seriously.
Athan Sarantakis: It’s a little bit just kind of funny, like I guess it’s a little shady, I would say.
Even a year later, LA’s citizens are still hurt by the comments made by De Leon and his colleagues. 2nd year MFA student Chirsten Vanderbilt describes the reelection bid as disturbing.
Chirsten Vanderbilt: It says a lot about us as human beings not being able to empathize and understand why these racist comments are hurtful and harmful to others. If they have these things pre-motivated and have in their hearts, it creates a disconnect with people who may not look like you.
Tanishka Khanduja, a junior international student studying neuroscience, said she’s surprised this is a debate at all.
Tanishka Khanduja: Like here, everything is so polarized. So given that the people in power are saying things that are objectively wrong, it’s just concerning. He probably shouldn’t be reelected.
Junior Civil Engineering student Nancy Moran said that De Leon’s announcement is indicative of the government’s disregard for its minority voters.
Nancy Moran: And it just kind of shows that people of color aren’t really at the top of their priority. I don’t want that for the community of L.A.
Vanderbilt said she believes that government leaders must strive for more tolerant attitudes.
Chirsten Vanderbilt: I think moving forward, if we want to create a more inclusive environment for our children, for our future children, it starts off with listening, starts off with our leaders who are able to really see everyone’s point of view.
De Leon is the only council member heard on the controversial tapes who is still in office. He will face more than 10 opponents in the March 2024 primary, many of whom called on De Leon to step down after his remarks.