Elizabeth Barcohana: Why Kids Can’t Read. The Education Battle Nobody Wants to Talk About |DSH #1825

We sit down with Elizabeth Barcohana (LA-based activist and political organizer) to talk about what she says is really driving the deterioration of daily life in Los Angeles: crime, cost of living, homelessness, and a broken revolving-door justice system.

Elizabeth breaks down how public safety has changed for families, why she believes policy choices (not funding) are the root issue, and how the teachers unions + curriculum battles became a major turning point after 2020.

We also get into the online spike in anti-Semitism, how misinformation spreads when people don’t have a historical foundation, and the internal infighting on the right she believes is being fueled by media ecosystems and social platforms.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

🚨 Why Elizabeth says LA crime feels “normalized” now

👩‍👧 The real-world safety habits moms have had to adopt

🏙️ How homelessness intersects with mental illness + addiction

⚖️ Why “revolving door” justice (and bail policy) changes outcomes

🧠 Why she thinks education is the upstream battleground

📚 How textbook markets can shape what the whole country learns

✡️ Why anti-Semitism spikes during unstable social/economic periods

🗣️ How online narratives can divide people inside the same movement

⏱️ Chapters (timestamps)

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👤 GUEST

Elizabeth Barcohana

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⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team.

The host and producers are not responsible for statements, claims, or opinions shared by guests during the show. This content is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.

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Keywords

Elizabeth Barcohana, Elizabeth from California, E_Barkana, AmFest, Los Angeles crime, California cost of living, homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, LAPD staffing, no cash bail, criminal justice reform,