For at least two decades I have noted this disparity in fire safety. "The help" doesn't get notified. Hell, fire warnings in San Diego were English only until just a couple of years ago - and that's right on the border! We sure have no problem begging the Diablos for help though.
And I'm not saying "the help" doesn't speak English. I'm saying there's no effort to reach lower-income people and there's definitely little effort to reach non-English-speaking people. Many times, there is a major overlap between the two in "helper" jobs in California.
Here's the Diablos, renowned for their firefighting skills and work, considered by many to be the best in the world. splinternews.com/meet-los-diabl…
This was just last year. When farm laborers ask for better working conditions they are often fired. But that's only if they're documented - if they are undocumented, owners will often call ICE so as not to have to deal with all that pesky human dignity. psmag.com/environment/as…
And those are two really good stories showcasing this from two now-defunct publications. Journalism matters, just like upholding human rights and dignity in all cases matters.
I've done a lot of labor reporting around border issues throughout my career. It's shocking and disturbing and much of it is baldly human labor (and sex!) trafficking. But Americans don't recognize it as such much of the time. Gotta keep those tomatoes cheap right?
Remember this asshole? There were just too many demands by workers that they stop being raped and fondled at work and receive a fair wage, so his now ex-company called ICE on them. nbcnews.com/news/us-news/e…
More about the raid itself. nbcnews.com/news/us-news/w…
But there are plenty more timesunion.com/opinion/articl…
Mmmhmmmmm thinkprogress.org/ice-raids-foll…
Anyway I'm getting off topic but this is one of my biggest issues to cover.
Anyway I'm getting off topic but this is one of my biggest issues to cover.
Not for nothin, but reporting on labor and supply chain issues nearly broke me. So many indignities, so much suffering, all so that rich Americans could get a dollar knocked off their organics. By the way, I don't ever eat organic. Organic = more labor = more labor abuses.
(Not just Americans, but we are definitely the biggest beneficiary of this practice.)
