In 2004, Karen Bass earned a seat in the California state Assembly. Around this time, Nithya Raman was working in the slums of Delhi, India, after her college graduation. These two women, both on different life paths, are now contesting for the Los Angeles mayoral post.
After election day, either Bass or Raman will be Mayor of Los Angeles. Bass, rooted deeply in L.A., symbolizes lifelong dedication to public service. Raman, a relative newcomer, arrived in L.A. 13 years ago with her husband, searching for new opportunities.
Bass’s Background and Journey
Bass grew up in South L.A. during the civil rights era, witnessing the challenges and transformations of the period. She followed these developments closely with her father, particularly how whites left the Fairfax District as Black families moved in.
“The white neighbors moved so fast I never met them,” Bass recalls when discussing changes in her neighborhood.
At 14, she was involved in campaigning for Robert F. Kennedy. Though she couldn’t attend his assassination night due to school, the event deeply impacted her and shifted her focus to community activism.
Bass helped create Community Coalition in 1990 to address the crack epidemic in South L.A. Her intent was to save lives amidst addiction, AIDS, and violence gripping the community.
Raman’s Aspirations and Contributions
Nithya Raman, born in 1981 in Kerala, India, moved to the U.S. at six. She grew up in Burlington, Mass., amidst a rapidly changing demographic.
In her own words, “The kids at school were not always super nice to us kids from immigrant families.” These experiences cultivated a sense of empathy in her.
Raman attended Harvard, where she met her husband. Her post-college work in Delhi included advocating for slum dwellers’ rights and fighting evictions. Her efforts evolved into establishing Transparent Chennai, focused on urban planning and sanitation issues.
From Organizers to Politicians
Bass transitioned from community activism to politics without difficulty, continuing her community-focused agenda from state Assembly Speaker to Congress, building coalitions, and fostering dialogue across party lines.
Raman’s work in Los Angeles concentrates on homelessness and urban planning challenges, leading the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition and unseating an incumbent City Council member in 2020.
She retains the advice of a fellow advocate, “Whatever it takes for as long as it takes,” as her guiding principle.
The Mayoral Race
Despite being past allies, Raman’s mayoral bid aligns the two on opposing sides. Bass criticizes Raman’s understanding of L.A.’s history and issues. Meanwhile, Raman focuses on her vision and work for the city.
The outcome of the election will reveal which direction Los Angeles chooses under its new leadership.
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