Kahllid Al-Alim, the frontrunner for a position on the Los Angeles school board, faces backlash following revelations of his endorsement of anti-Semitic literature and engagement with violent and explicit content on social media.
Al-Alim, backed by the L.A. County Federation of Labor, the United Teachers Los Angeles labor union, and the Democratic Socialists of America, has shown support for numerous anti-Semitic online posts. In late 2022, he recommended a book by Louis Farrakhan, a figure often criticized for anti-Semitic remarks. Al-Alim advocated for Farrakhan’s book to be included as essential reading in public school curriculum.
The book in question, titled “The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews,” comprises a three-volume series advancing the controversial argument that Jews played a central role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, a contention widely contested by historians. Additionally, it alleges Jewish financial support for the Ku Klux Klan and asserts Jewish culpability for the economic disenfranchisement of the black community.
Al-Alim purportedly endorsed pornographic or explicit content on his personal social media account, including a photo depicting a woman in a see-through top wielding an assault weapon, drawing criticism especially considering his candidacy for a school board position.
As per media sources, the Los Angeles teacher’s union has invested more than $650,000 in supporting Al-Alim’s campaign, while his official campaign has garnered nearly $25,000 in donations since the latest reporting period. The union has strongly condemned Al-Alim’s online behavior, labeling it offensive and intolerable. They are deliberating on potential actions, including withdrawing their endorsement. Additionally, they have called for an apology from Al-Alim, who promptly issued one to the media within a brief timeframe of less than ten minutes.
Confronted with his past social media activity, Al-Alim deactivated his personal accounts and issued an apology. He retracted his endorsement of the Farrakhan book and claimed a lifelong commitment to combating anti-Semitism and various forms of oppression, although he did not elaborate on his specific efforts in addressing anti-Semitism.
