I Used to Love Her: An Open Letter 

Dr. Melina Abdullah, a Cal State LA professor and Black Lives Matter co-founder, expresses deep disappointment with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass's shift away from progressive values. Abdullah recounts their decades-long personal and political relationship that began in 1996, describing how Bass once championed resources for South Los Angeles but has since abandoned calls for police reform and defunding. Despite maintaining a conciliatory approach and never directly protesting Bass's administration, Abdullah criticizes the mayor for prioritizing her political position over community needs and for dismissing young Black activists as threats when they challenged her on public safety reform.