Improve conditions for state’s farmworkers
The recent shooting in the Half Moon Bay farmworker community shocked the world. This tragedy placed a national spotlight on the working and living conditions of a shadow community that helps to feed our nation yet is often vilified because of the legal status of many farm laborers.
Many were aghast to discover their deplorable living conditions in brokendown trailers or storage containers with no running water or electricity. Farmworkers work 40 to 70 hours per week in difficult back-breaking labor and are living in poverty.
In California between the spotlights of Hollywood and the innovations of Silicon Valley, there are thousands of miles of agriculture. This $51 billion industry produces 50% of fruits, nuts and vegetables in the country.
As many flee California for more affordable living, hundreds of thousands of farmworkers have no choice but to remain in the state. They have no place to go.
Those of us who work with these agricultural workers were shocked by the violence, but not surprised to see the deplorable living conditions. We know this is all too common.
As a nation that benefits from the fruits of the arduous labor farmworkers, we must come together to demand change and improved living and working conditions for our most essential workers.
Darlene Tenes, founder, Farmworker Caravan, San Jose; Belinda Arriaga, executive director, Ayudando Latinos A Soñar, Half Moon Bay
Screen police candidates
With the press coverage of the horrific beating of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, why has there been no discussion of exactly who hired these five police officers and what sort of background checking is done before hiring police officers?
Looking at the video, it seems to me that anyone capable of inflicting violence with such hatred would have something in their past that would preclude them from becoming an armed agent of the state.
Hiring standards need to be clear and transparent — no hateful personalities allowed.
Don Siefkes, San Leandro