The recent firing of Leigh Hanson, former Mayor Sheng Thao's chief of staff, has shifted focus away from the Oakland mayoral race shortly before the election. Jenkins terminated Hanson following controversial notes she made referencing Black individuals as 'tokens.' This sparked condemnation from mayoral candidates Loren Taylor and Barbara Lee, who stressed the importance of accountability in politics and denounced racism. The fallout continues to resonate, raising issues of representation and conduct in the city's political landscape.
Hanson said the sentence was taken out of context, but many Black people say the notes are deeply hurtful and racist.
Taylor called on his chief opponent, former Congresswoman Barbara Lee, to condemn Hanson's notes.
Taylor stated that 'Black Oaklanders are not props or political pawns - we are leaders and changemakers.'
Lee’s campaign emphasized that 'Racism and anti-Blackness are unacceptable, and have no place in Oakland politics.'
Collection
[
|
...
]