By Nadira Jamerson reprinted from Word in Black nesletter
Word In Black Fam,
As a Pasadena native, I’ve been checking my phone constantly for news about the fires that have burned my hometown as well as Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and other parts of Los Angeles County.
My uncle Justin, his wife, and 1-year-old daughter were among the estimated 180,000 people who had to evacuate, as of Thursday afternoon. My sister, Nailah, is unable to use the water in her apartment building because it has been contaminated due to pressure on water systems. My childhood friend, Jayda, is “devastated,” knowing it will take the community years to recover — and some may never rebuild.
How did we get here? How can we ensure that a disaster like this never happens again? Those are some of the questions Word In Black’s reporters are looking to answer in the coming days — particularly given the climate, education, and health impacts of these fires. And as our managing director and Los Angeles resident Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier notes, this unprecedented catastrophe has become politicized, with trolls like Elon Musk and Donald Trump among those using it as an opportunity to spread misinformation and attack Karen Bass, L.A.’s first Black woman mayor. Some are even naming her a “DEI hire” and calling for her resignation.
Above all, our hearts are with the families of the five reported people who have lost their lives to the fires, and the entire Los Angeles community.
Stay safe,
Nadira Jamerson
Digital editor
