Statement Against Racist Remarks by LA City Councilmembers

Greed by Marianne Sadowski. Linocut, ed. 60
15”x11”. (From the Utopia/Dystopia Portfolio Project.)

Self Help Graphics & Art is committed to elevating the voices of Black, Indigenous and all POC communities who deserve elected officials that work with integrity and unbiased equity. We condemn the statements, actions and complicity made by Los Angeles City Council members Nury Martinez (CD6), Gil Cedillo (CD1), and Kevin de León (CD14). Their comments speak to a pervasive anti-Blackness, anti-Indigeneity, and colorism that is disgusting and unacceptable. 

Self Help Graphics calls for the immediate resignation of Councilmembers Martinez, Cedillo and de León. A process of accountability must go beyond apologies, and center the communities and individuals who have been harmed by these statements and actions. 

As a Chicano-rooted and BIPOC-centered cultural organization rooted in social justice, SHG stands against the perpetuation of a Black vs. Brown narrative that ultimately continues to oppress all communities and undermines many generations of solidarity work and joy that have been created together. Our Latino/a/x elected officials must represent the values and best interests of the people. Identity politics should no longer sustain those who seek to dismantle and undermine the power of Black and Indigenous communities, LGBTQ+, renters and other marginalized groups.  

Furthermore, we call on our non-black and non-Indigenous members of the community to work in solidarity with BIPOC communities to call out racist behavior and language that aims to perpetuate harmful colonial legacies and oppression. 

¡Adelante en justicia!

–Self Help Graphics & Art