Erin Wisti is a writer living in Los Angeles whose work has previously appeared in Slate, Electric Literature, Lit Hub, Bustle, NPR's The Salt, and other places. She feels the best way to describe her writing comes from a lecture she once heard by Laura Kipnis, who called her essays "a chronicle of personal obsessions." She sometimes tweets @ErinWisti.
LASPD Faces Backlash for Using Pepper Spray on Students
An LA School Police Department officer attempted to de-escalate a fight at a basketball game with pepper spray, hitting several uninvolved students in the process. Critics say these actions violated LASPD policy.
How a Field Trip to Honor Tyre Nichols Turned Into ‘Pro-Police’ March
Susan Miller Dorsey High School students thought they were attending a march for Tyre Nichols. They ended up marching over 6th Street Bridge with LAPD officers and later acted out various scenarios in a VR police simulator.
Police Free LAUSD Offers a New Vision for Safer Schools: No More Cops
The Police Free LAUSD coalition created a five-point plan to create safer schools through community-based public safety initiatives rather than through policing. Students, parents, and community members are now pressuring LAUSD to act.
Another Johnnie Cochran Middle School Student Speaks Out
After replacing former principal Gilberto Samuel following allegations of harsh discipline and retaliation against staff, the school still will not address the issues.
Three Cars Implicated in the Death of Bruce Phillips
Frustrated by a slow police response, Helen Jones is seeking answers herself regarding her husband’s death.
Husband of Longtime LA Activist Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident
Despite his being a beloved figure in South LA’s Watts neighborhood, Bruce Phillips’ hit-and-run death has received no press coverage. His widow, Helen Jones, wants answers.
Black Students at Johnnie Cochran Middle School Describe Being Subjected to Harsh Discipline and Random Searches
Students who attended Johnnie Cochran describe a culture that ignored bullying and publicly humiliated students in the name of discipline.
Sunset Beer Closure a Symptom of Predatory Landlord Infection
The popular Echo Park bottle shop was told it would have its rent raised fourfold by its commercial realtor landlord.
Kenneth Mejia Wants You to Know How LA Is Spending Your Tax Dollars
City controller is one of the most powerful, least talked about positions in LA government. Mejia plans to change that.
Mike Bonin Is Not Your Hero — and He Shouldn’t Have to Be
Bonin’s decision not to seek reelection has exposed the unsustainability of LA’s political system.
Who Really Benefits from the SORO Hotel?
Two affluent developers want to demolish 12 rent-stabilized units and a restaurant to build a hotel in Pico-Robertson, but does the community really want this amenity?
Redistricting Is Happening Now, So Why Is Nury Martinez Canceling Meetings?
In 2012, Los Angeles’s redistricting process was an unmitigated disaster. In 2021, Nury Martinez will not hold the meetings required to pass key resolutions.
“Set for Missiles and Everyone Would Go Home.”
Leaked audio from local news helicopters reveals animosity toward Echo Park Lake residents.
What Is Going On With LAPD Helicopter Surveillance?
In Los Angeles, police helicopters are not reserved for emergencies, but are a routine part of police surveillance.
Misrepresentation, Intimidation, Violence — How the Media’s Narrative of the Echo Park Lake Unhoused Causes Harm
Portraying the unhoused community as wayward hipsters is not only false but leads to real harm for the residents of Echo Park Lake.
