Dear Culver City: An Insensitive Photo Choice

EDITOR'S NOTE: This piece was submitted by a source unaffiliated with Culver Crescent and should not be interpreted as reflecting or confirming the opinion of The Crescent or its writers. Click here to view the full Dear Culver City disclaimer

By Lorri Horn

I appreciate the time and effort The Culver Crescent has devoted to its 2026 Culver Crescent Candidate Series, providing Culver City residents with the opportunity to learn more about those running for local office. I am concerned, however, about a photograph accompanying the first interview with City Council candidate Freddy Puza.

The publication describes its Voters’ Guide as a “nonpartisan informational resource” intended to help Culver City residents make informed decisions in the upcoming election. Given that stated purpose, I was surprised by the editorial decision to feature a photograph prominently displaying a shirt with the words “Jesus Was a Palestinian” and an image of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns and a keffiyeh.

The message is neither historically nor politically neutral. Jesus was a Jew who lived in Roman-controlled Judea and Galilee. Although the geographical name Palestine has ancient origins, the Romans renamed the province Syria Palaestina approximately a century after Jesus’s death. Jews continued to live in the region and were themselves described as Palestinians in later historical periods. 

Depicting Jesus in a keffiyeh, however, invokes a modern Palestinian national identity that did not exist in his lifetime.

I realize that the photo may document an actual community gathering and that the clothing worn by one attendee does not necessarily represent Mr. Puza’s views. Nevertheless, selecting a photograph for publication is an editorial decision, particularly when that photograph appears in a voters’ guide that explicitly identifies itself as nonpartisan.

My concern is twofold. First, photographs communicate messages beyond the accompanying text. By prominently featuring politically charged imagery in an election guide, the publication risks influencing readers’ perceptions of a candidate without explicitly acknowledging the political message being conveyed.

Whether intentional or not, such imagery can shape how voters interpret a candidate’s positions and associations.

Second, the choice raises questions about sensitivity toward Jewish and Christian residents and their religious histories. For many Jewish readers, depicting Jesus as a modern Palestinian figure without acknowledging his Jewish identity can be understood as an erasure of Jewish history and the Jewish people's longstanding connection to the region. Christians, too, may find it painful to see a central figure of their faith recast through the imagery of a contemporary political movement. 

While the shirt may be intended as an expression of Palestinian solidarity, its message has religious and historical implications that extend well beyond that purpose. A publication serving our diverse community should recognize the significance of these distinctions as part of its commitment to thoughtful and responsible journalism. 

This issue is particularly striking alongside Mr. Puza’s statement that his faith teaches him to “listen without immediately judging” and “recognize the dignity and interconnectedness of every person.” Those are admirable principles, and they underscore the importance of respecting the identities, histories, and concerns of all members of our community.

My objection is not to the inclusion of Palestinian perspectives or the discussion of difficult political issues in The Crescent. Rather, I question the relevance of this particular image to the candidate interview and the purpose it serves in helping Culver City residents make informed voting decisions.

I believe The Crescent owes its readers an explanation of why this photograph was selected, whether its historical and political implications were considered, and how its inclusion aligns with the editorial standards governing its Voters’ Guide. I also hope the paper will consider taking the photo down. While the publication certainly has the right to include it, that does not necessarily mean it was the best editorial decision, particularly in light of its own stated standards. 

When I taught high school journalism, students regularly wrestled with the distinction between what we could publish and what we should publish. Let's show our community, especially our youth, how to engage in this challenging but important work.

Lorri Horn has been a Culver City Resident for 26 years 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The picture in question was published as a way to display the candidate engaging directly with Culver City residents on controversial and emotionally involved issues. It was not meant to comment on religious histories nor affairs outside of Culver City, and should not be interpreted as such. Culver Crescent is in the process of engaging Jewish leaders in the Culver City community to determine the appropriate next steps. We apologize for any offense or distress this may have caused.