LA Councilmember NITHYA RAMAN on #NotTooDeep // Grace Helbig

TL;DR

Nithya Raman, an LA city council member, shares her experiences in politics, running a campaign, and the importance of getting involved at the local level.

Transcript

hello and welcome to another episode of not too deep i'm your host grace helbig very exciting episode awaits you today we have nifty ramen uh on the episode i'm so excited she's an la city council member she is brand new to politics she won her election we talk all about what it's like getting into politics the glamour the not so glamour what it's ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👯 Nithya's campaign focused on making city council matter to people and highlighting the need for representation that reflected the diversity of Los Angeles.
• 💨 Direct volunteerism and advocating for affordable housing and resources for the homeless are two impactful ways for individuals to get involved in addressing homelessness.
• 🛀 Nithya's experience in politics differs from the intense portrayal on scripted television shows, and she emphasizes the challenges, chaos, and relationship building that is involved.
• 😃 Nithya finds relaxation and joy in spending quality time with her family, particularly going biking in the California sunshine.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does it mean to be an LA city council member?

In Los Angeles, the city council consists of a mayor and 15 council members who govern the city, representing different districts. They handle constituent services and make policies for the city.

Q: How did Nithya Raman decide to run for office?

Nithya's involvement in addressing homelessness in Los Angeles led her to realize that the city could do more. She wanted to make a difference and decided to run for office to advocate for change.

Q: How did Nithya navigate the challenges of staffing up her office?

As a first-time candidate not affiliated with the political establishment, Nithya faced challenges in finding staff members who shared her values and were committed to the work. It took time, but she eventually built an incredible team.

Q: How does Nithya handle social media in her role as a city council member?

Nithya highlights the difficulties of using social media in her new role. While it was effective during her campaign, now she has to balance being transparent and open with the need for partnerships and collaboration with other departments.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nithya Raman discusses her role as an LA city council member and the responsibilities that come with it, including constituent services and making policies for the city.

• She shares her journey from working with disadvantaged communities in India to running for office in Los Angeles.

• Nithya emphasizes the significance of social media in reaching out to constituents and engaging them in local politics.