Earl Ofari Hutchinson is a voice to be reckoned with as an author, journalist, media critic, public speaker and radio show host. He offers critiques that ‘call out’ and hold societal institutions accountable. With a career in which he has released over 10 books, Hutchinson’s relentless commitment to his work can be further seen in his most recent book, “A Tale of Two Wildfires- Separate and Unequal”.
“The Hutchinson Report” radio show host has kept his foot on the ground as he focuses on hard hitting news centering race and politics. He has also had guest appearances as a commentator on “CNN News”, NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” and Fox News’ “The John Gibson Show.”
In his recent book, he highlights the racial, class, and social disparities between victims of Black and Latino descent as they recover from the LA wildfires that occurred in January, most notably Eaton Canyon and Palisades. Both fires lasted 24 days, began on Jan. 7, and burned nearly 40,000 acres, causing between $28 to $53.8 billion in property damage.
Hutchinson shared that multiple studies he has researched, illustrate the disparity Black and Latino people will struggle with as they recover from the disaster.
“Study after study on natural disasters show amply documented that when a disaster hits an area that are predominantly Black, Hispanic and lower income… victims receive much less aid from FEMA and insurers than White victims,” he said.
The author went on to share a deeper perspective of how the intersections of race, class and politics deeply affected not just fire victims, but the perception of Mayor Karen Bass.
Race came in in these ways. Trump went to Pacific Palisades, a predominantly White community and not West Altadena, predominantly Black. West Altadena wasn’t warned [about the fire] immediately by county officials… East Altadena, mainly White, was warned.” He added, “More Black homes are underinsured and uninsured because of insurance redlining and exorbitant pricing, and the massive media focus on Pacific Palisades. Politics came into the dynamic with the relentless fingerpointing and blaming of Mayor Bass by the predominantly White fire department. Class came in with the attention, treatment, and top heavy response from officials and insurers to Pacific Palisades vs. West Altadena.
Hutchinson also shared his thoughts about President Donald Trump and other political figures such as Rick Caruso, blaming Karen Bass and Calif. Governor, Gavin Newsom.
“Blaming Bass and Newsom was just more crass, crude, but predictable game playing, political partisanship, and just plain Trumpian viciousness which is his well established trademark.”
Hutchinson then discussed how West Altadena can remain resilient and move forward: and how Los Angeles can continue to aid in the support to fully recuperate from the destruction caused by the historic LA wildfires.
“More and equitable aid, more support, prompt insurance claims payments, vigilance against speculators, and a renewed determination to rebuild bigger and better.” He continued, “… While preserving the unique history, culture, and cohesiveness that Black West Altadena had.”
