I am deeply saddened to see an incident that took place ten years ago, when I was a youth, be dragged front and center as the defining news story of the times. The most egregious and deliberate depiction of racial bias in this coverage is the publication's calculated choice of imagery. By placing a current-day photograph of me as an adult directly beside an image of an injured eight-year-old boy, the media outlet is intentionally attempting to mislead the public. This deceptive visual framing is designed to give the false, inflammatory impression that this incident took place recently, while I was an adult. The reality is that a personal tragedy did take place during my childhood, and the young boy, Nicholas, was accidentally cut—but it was by no means a deliberate act, and weaponizing an underage incident is a gross mischaracterization of reality.

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I have prolonged making a public comment because I firmly believe that past situations, and indeed past childhood mistakes, do not define or determine who a person is or what they have become. In the ten years since this incident occurred and was resolved, I have had absolutely no contact with the family in question. This distance has been maintained for legal reasons and out of profound respect for what took place; I have not been an active or present danger to them, or anyone else, since. Given the fact that I have caused no harm since this childhood situation transpired, it is deeply disappointing that they felt the need to come forward now to poison a local election and inflict reputational damage over a personal tragedy. I see no reason why I cannot continue to respect their boundaries while also pursuing a future that is not defined as a minor.

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The claims of juvenile detention being circulated are untrue and misleading. Because I have maintained a respectful, legal distance for ten years, a void was created that the family has now filled with degrading lies. There was never any need for correctional assistance as I had transferred schools to comply with a restraining order that was imposed by the family on me and to ensure that I was safe away from those who thought the worst of me. These fabrications attempt to build a false impression that I do not belong in public office or that I am a threat to the community. On the contrary, my adulthood has been defined by service; I hold Commendation Certificates from both the City and County of Los Angeles for Outstanding Cross-Cultural Achievement for my work with the Juneteenth Festival. These honors reflect the true nature of my values—values that this article seeks to bury under sensationalism.

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I have been informed that the family involved attempted to threaten my withdrawal from this race by sharing this story with residents. Let me be unequivocally clear: I will not leave this race. I will not abandon my passion for public service simply because of a deliberate attempt at reputational harm. My candidacy has now become a classic example of how poor journalism is weaponized to undermine candidates of color. By using racial undertones and coded language about crime, these outlets attempt to exclude us as "others" and label us as dangerous to keep us out of the halls of power.

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The immediate fallout of this reporting is visible in the Twitter and Instagram comment sections, which are currently filled with vile hatred and racial abuse. This vitriol is exactly what these stories intend to provoke. 

They want to tell voters that a Black man in leadership is something to fear. However, the residents of Los Angeles who know my work see a different story. I will continue to make strides in this campaign, fueled by the resilience I have shown since youth. The Rivers Delivers Campaign remains focused on the future of this city, and we will not be deterred by those who prefer character assassination over honest debate.

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The publication provided a platform that has rapidly energized racist groups online, leading to explicitly derogatory and bigoted attacks against me. This is not a new phenomenon in American politics. As I recently highlighted through the legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson’s 1988 campaign, the hurdles for Black candidates remain incredibly steep. Jackson once noted that while some racism is raw and direct, others "are able to use sand to cover up their mess." Today, the media is providing the sand, while the comment sections are supplying the raw, undisguised racism that candidates of color still face in the 21st century.

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Many people in my community know me personally, and they do not view me through the distorted, prejudiced lens of this smear campaign. Throughout my adulthood, I have dedicated myself to overcoming the obstacles of adversity and working hard to deliver purpose, promise, and possibility for the residents of Los Angeles. Stories like this only serve to undermine the true nature of my values and what I represent. The Rivers Delivers Campaign will not be derailed by sensationalism, nor will we bow to online hatred. We will remain steadfastly focused on the objective truth, equitable change, and the vital issues facing the people of this city.

Sincerely,

 

Jordan Rivers