To the editor: I am the third Latina elected to the City Council in the history of Los Angeles, and I can tell you that achieving this position involved overcoming machismo and other social forces; It was not an anointed moment. Tragically, Gustavo Arellano's columns in “Poder y Gloria” about Latino power in Los Angeles are filled with worn-out narratives that do nothing to encourage the Latino vote.
Arellano, who is not from Los Angeles, leads readers to believe that the careers of Latino elected officials are due to supposed political godfathers. Well, I got my seat on the City Council of the community where I grew up. Like many of those before me, I am a product of hard work and earned trust that garnered the support of the people I sought to represent.
Arellano constructs a narrative that suggests that Latino communities like the one I proudly represent or the one Ed Roybal served should wait their turn. He does not celebrate the contributions made by many leaders and instead emphasizes small power grabs that reinforce a narrative that does not apply equally to other demographic groups.
I call on The Times to focus on civic engagement and Latino voices now that we are in an important election. Members of the younger generations must remain engaged so that they can emerge as leaders in the future.
As a first-generation Mexican American, I look forward to the day when our community is represented accurately and fairly, and with the respect we have earned.
Monica Rodriguez, Los Angeles
The writer is a member of the Los Angeles City Council.
