It’s Not a Matter of Race; Hernandez Has Got to Go

Contrary to Councilman Nate Holden’s incredulous assertion last week in response to Laura Chick and Mike Feuer’s actions, it doesn’t take being white, Jewish, a Westsider or even a klansman to see that Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Hernandez should resign over his admission to substance abuse.

As a human being, I can forgive the caring, hard-working, obviously troubled Mike Hernandez. Hernandez being Latino is the last thing on my mind, as a black man. But as a native Angeleno and a voting taxpayer, I say the councilman fumbled, and now he’s got to go.

Politics is a sport that demands agility, strategy, focus, discipline and a solid game plan. Hernandez is a player who tested positive and his mea culpa won’t change that. With Mayor Richard Riordan now asking him to step down, the councilman’s continued resistance to being benched displays a total disregard for what’s best for the city.

That notwithstanding, how can Holden accuse Chick and Feuer of protecting their own in this case, when blacks, Asians and Latinos are guilty of doing the exact same thing in other cases? The question remains: Why haven’t other minority political leaders called for Mike Hernandez’s resignation?

The bottom line is that we’re watching a below par game playing itself out where race, once again, is performing at half-time. In light of his guilty plea on Monday, Mike Hernandez must ultimately decide what’s right for everyone concerned. While he needs support, encouragement, compassion and prayers from all of us, in return we need for him to accept the consequences of his actions, semi-retire and rejoin the team maybe next season. If the councilman truly loves the sport, he’s gotta’ give it up.