Editor:I read in today’s paper that one of our school board members is accusing Santa Monica of having a city council system that discriminates against Hispanics, and is threatening the sue the city if they do not change our system. I could not help wondering what Mr. de la Torre’s definition is of discrimination. According to the US Census Bureau, 13.1% of our residents are Hispanic, and yet Hispanic’s make up 14.3% of City Council, including the Mayor. In the Santa Monica Malibu School District, Hispanics make up only 12.2% of the residents, but represent 42.9% of the school board. Perhaps there is some racial disparity in Santa Monica, but Hispanics should be the last group to complain.Jeff SegalSanta Monica
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 17, 2015. Read the original PDF.