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Commentary: The Question CalMatters Asked About a Lawmaker’s Handbag — And the One It Refused to Answer 

January 26, 2026

California news outlet CalMatters sparked controversy after asking Assemblymember Tina McKinnor whether her Louis Vuitton handbag was "real or fake," a question widely criticized as racially biased and inappropriate. Despite backlash, CalMatters published a follow-up story prominently featuring McKinnor without mentioning the controversial question, and CEO Neil Chase has avoided public explanation while offering only a private written apology. The California Legislative Black Caucus formally demanded an unequivocal apology, calling the question racist and sexist, and accused CalMatters of reducing McKinnor to a stereotype rather than treating her as a serious legislator.

Who is affected

  • Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood)
  • The California Legislative Black Caucus (eleven of twelve members who signed the formal letter)
  • CalMatters organization and its CEO Neil Chase
  • Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles), who raised the issue at a public forum
  • California Black Media reporter Antonio Ray Harvey
  • Terry Schanz, McKinnor's chief of staff

What action is being taken

  • The California Legislative Black Caucus sent a formal letter on January 22 demanding an unequivocal apology, bias training, and accountability measures from CalMatters
  • CalMatters CEO Neil Chase sent a written apology to McKinnor (one week after the story became public)
  • McKinnor is not currently planning to meet with Chase

Why it matters

  • This incident exemplifies how Black women in elected office face different and racially biased scrutiny from media institutions that claim to hold power accountable. The question perpetuates historical patterns of stereotyping communities of color in journalism, echoing decades of biased coverage by predominantly White-owned and operated newsrooms. CalMatters' failure to publicly address the controversy or explain its editorial decisions undermines its stated commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability, demonstrating a gap between proclaimed journalistic standards and actual practice. The California Legislative Black Caucus's involvement signals this is a systemic issue affecting how Black legislators are covered, not just an isolated incident.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Commentary: The Question CalMatters Asked About a Lawmaker’s Handbag — And the One It Refused to Answer