A Legacy of Failure: A Betrayal of Black African Women and a Failed Vision for California

Yes, representation matters, but how much does it truly matter when it is merely symbolic? Anyone can style themselves as a caring, reformist leader, but it is their actions that distinguish an arrogant, disconnected politician from a genuine, transparent leader who is truly working for the people. True representation should go beyond visibility, it should translate into action, accountability, and policies that uplift the very communities it claims to represent. 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has spent decades in public office, climbing the ranks from the California State Assembly to the U.S. Congress before taking the reins of one of America’s largest cities. Despite her tenure and the power she has wielded, Bass’ leadership has been marked by incompetence, mismanagement, and a troubling disregard for the very communities she claims to serve. 

From her time as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus to her role overseeing Africa policy in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Karen Bass has left behind a troubling pattern—not of guidance, but of evasion.  

The people of California – especially Los Angeles – deserve a leader who stands with them, not someone who abandons them in times of crisis or aligns with war criminals responsible for genocide.

Abandoning Black Women in the Horn of Africa

One of the most glaring failures of Karen Bass’ past tenure as a congress member,  is her silence and inaction in the face of atrocities against women in the Horn of Africa. During her tenure as Chair of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, Bass had the opportunity – and the moral obligation – to condemn the mass killings, systemic rape, and ethnic cleansing targeting hundreds of thousands of Black women and children in Ethiopia. Instead, she shielded those responsible for the killings, choosing to stand by her friend, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed—the very man who continues to slaughter his own citizens. The same heartless killer whose visit to Los Angeles she formally recognized in California’s congressional record. Her refusal to hold him accountable not only legitimized a leader with blood on his hands but also emboldened him to escalate his reign of terror against innocent civilians, sending a clear message that their suffering could be ignored without consequence.

This failure is not just about foreign policy—it reflects a deeper flaw in Bass’s governance: a lack of accountability and a willingness to turn a blind eye when it matters most. If she refused to speak up for Black women—women who looked to her with high hopes that representation meant something—while using her race and gender as political leverage to secure her position, how can she be trusted to protect the people of Los Angeles?

Bass’s abandonment of Angelionos at the onset of January’s wildfires to travel to Ghana – for reasons that remain unknown – aligns with her brand of decision making. A lack of transparency, and a pattern of disappearing when needed most – That is the legacy of Karen Bass’s political career.  

Los Angeles in Crisis

Bass’ weak leadership is not limited to international affairs. As Mayor of Los Angeles, she inherited a city struggling with homelessness, crime, and economic instability. Instead of tackling these issues with decisive action, her administration has been defined by a lack of transparency, failed policies, and misplaced priorities. Rather than addressing the core reasons behind California’s housing crisis, Bass has only deepened the problem with mismanagement and wasteful spending. Crime continues to surge, businesses are fleeing, and residents are left wondering: Where is the leadership?

Under her influence, children – many of them Black and Brown – housed in juvenile detention centers, are being forced to fight each other for survival, serving as entertainment for the very adults entrusted with their protection and care. These guards are not acting in isolation; they are following the precedent set by Mayor Bass. 

Her failures as mayor are eerily similar to her track record in Congress, where she chaired committees that had direct oversight over crime, terrorism, and homeland security. Instead of using her position to implement effective reforms, she allowed critical issues – both domestic and global – to spiral out of control, while actively preventing others from stepping in to address them.  If she couldn’t manage national crime and security policies effectively, how can she be expected to restore safety and stability to Los Angeles?

A Culture of Retaliation and Suppression

Effective governance requires humility and a willingness to listen. True leadership requires responding when called upon. Bass has created a culture of retaliation against those who dared to challenge her. We saw this clearly last month when she fired Kristin Crowley, one of the few leaders who stood up to Bass and refused to lie on her behalf. Whether it was the mismanagement of wildfire resources in California or the handling of critical aid distribution, Bass and other Democratic leaders have neglected or attacked those who spoke out against their failures. By silencing dissent, she has surrounded herself with yes-men rather than competent problem-solvers – at the direct expense of Californians who depend on strong leadership in times of crisis and upheaval. 

When constituents invite Bass to important community events or seek to engage her on pressing concerns, she often ignores requests or gives a false commitment, leading people to prepare and build excitement – only to pull out at the last minute or send a staffer to take notes in her place. This is the behavior of a mayor who looks down on her constituents and treats them as an afterthought. 

There is an unspoken understanding among her colleagues that criticizing Bass – even truthfully – is off-limits. If you do, you’re accused of holding her to a double standard or being racist. In reality, expecting transparency and engagement from a local official is a fundamental part of democracy but that is not the case in Bass’ one-woman regime.

Where Is California Headed?

As Los Angeles falls deeper into crisis and California’s broader trajectory remains uncertain under Governor Gavin Newsom, the question must be asked: Where are these leaders taking us? 

Bass’ record speaks for itself – both at home and abroad, she has failed to stand up for the people who need her most. Her leadership is directionless, reactive, and ultimately harmful. With the Olympics, World Cup, and Super Bowl on the horizon, Bass cannot be trusted to competently oversee the city during these major global events – it would be a disaster.

California deserves leaders who will fight for all its residents – not just the political elite.The people of Los Angeles, and indeed all of California, must ask themselves: What is the point of a leader if they abandon you? What is the point of a leader if they have no direction?

Let’s face it—Bass either does not care, is incapable of leading, or, most likely, a bit of both. Imagine having the power and authority to create real change and save lives, yet choosing instead to hide or dismiss the very people who trusted that their vote mattered. Now, imagine being an elected official for nearly 20 years and leaving behind almost nothing of real substance.

As the state continues to struggle under ineffective Democratic management, it is time for a serious reevaluation of those in power. Karen Bass has had ample opportunities to prove herself as a leader – and time and again, she has failed. California cannot afford more of the same.

Hafsa Mohamed is an American-Somali women’s rights advocate and civic engagement specialist focused on gender equity and political participation. She works in California and the Horn of Africa, bridging grassroots organizing with policy advocacy to amplify underrepresented voices. Through leadership development and advocacy, she fights for justice, representation, and systemic change.