She authored a bill that created a reparations fund for the mostly Black and Latina women who were forcibly sterilized in California, and later secured more funds toWhile many of her battles are in Sacramento, she’s well known in the streets of Los Angeles. I asked Carrillo to meet me at Homeboy Industries, which has long helped men from the Eastside get back on track after making mistakes.
Latino leaders often lack that unity. Few publicly defended De León’s decision to remain on the council. But his leadership style, which promoted Latino tribalism in private, struck many allies as abrasive. Carrillo isn’t interested in pitting Latinos against other groups. “I think it’s important that we are grounded in our history and who we are and where we come from, but … you have to be a leader for everyone,” she said.
Along with her belief that no one is disposable or irredeemable, she rejects the tribalism of the social media age, with its hierarchical and divisive views of people. Because of her consistency on equality, she could beat De León.