Under the recently enacted Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, written by Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-South Los Angeles), artists, particularly rap music artists, will not have their work used against them in a courtroom in California as a sole way of connecting them with a crime. In this episode of the Look West podcast Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer sits down with Harvey Mason jr, CEO of the Recording Academy, GRAMMY – Award winning Hip-Hop icon and Founder and CEO of Rock the Bells LL COOL J, and Professor of Criminology, Law & Society Charis Kubrin. In a very animated conversation they talk about why this new law is so important, what it means for creative expression and avoiding implicit bias in the treatment of artists, particularly young men of color.

Rap On Trial: Decriminalizing Artistic Expression

Look West - A unique view of the people representing you in the State Assembly who are leading California to a better future for all. A series of conversations with California State Assembly members and the people they represent, the Look West podcast brings you a unique view of the people leading California to a better future for everyone.

Government

California’s foster care system is in desperate need of an upgrade. The list of problems is long…and the outcomes for foster youth have been poor in far too many cases. May is Foster Care Awareness Month so we sat down with Assemblymember Dr. Cory Jackson, a leading voice in the effort to improve the child welfare system, to talk about what needs to be done to fix the problems facing California’s foster care children.

Building Better Foster Care

With a rallying cry of “the rent is too damn high” Assemblymember Matt Haney created the California Legislative Renters’ Caucus. An overflow crowd squeezed into a bar near the State Capitol for the Caucus’ first ever meetup event. Haney and the other Members of the Renters Caucus told the overflow audience they’ll work to protect renters’ rights and create more tenant-friendly policies in California.

Growing Renters Caucus Amplifies Tenants’ Voices

Throughout the month of February extra focus is on the history of African-Americans, as the country marks Black History Month. For more than 50 years, the California Legislative Black Caucus has been at the forefront of efforts to make sure the real history of Black America is told and improve the lives of Blacks in California. Assemblymember Lori Wilson is the current Chair of the CLBC. In this episode with her we’ll review the Caucus’ reparations legislative package,  look back at black history in California and look forward to what might be the next chapters in black history.

Black History Month and Healing the Trauma

Videos of smash and grab robberies have many people thinking about retail theft, including state lawmakers. A new Select Committee is investigating the reasons for the rise in retail theft, its impacts on businesses and employees and what can be done about it. Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur is the Chair of the new Committee. He told Look West retail theft is a much more complicated crisis than just the viral smash and grab videos.

New Committee Investigating the Rise in Retail Theft

Long before the State Capitol was built the Miwok Indians lived, hunted and fished in what became Sacramento. Now – for the first time - California’s First People have a monument in Capitol Park to honor the Indigenous People of California. Assemblymember James Ramos, the only Native American in the State Legislature, is leading the way to right the historical wrongs, educate everyone on the real history of Native Americans in the Golden State and honor tribal ancestors.

Rap On Trial: Decriminalizing Artistic Expression

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