Randy Jurado Ertll

Powerful Op-Ed / Column

Randy Jurado Ertll — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:15:28 +0000

latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-ehrenreich-stealing-from-the-poor-20120517,0,7201749.story

latimes.com

Op-Ed

When all else fails, rob the poor

Before we can ‘do something’ for the poor, there are some things we need to stop doing to them.

May 17, 2012

Individually, the poor are not all that tempting to thieves. Mug a banker and you might score a wallet containing a month’s rent. Mug a janitor and you’ll be lucky to get bus fare to flee the crime scene. But the poor in aggregate provide a juicy target for anyone depraved enough to make a business of stealing from them.

The trick, however, is to rob them in ways that are systematic, impersonal and almost impossible to trace to individual perpetrators.

Lenders, including major credit companies as well as payday lenders, understand this. They have taken over the traditional role of the street corner loan shark, charging the poor insanely high rates of interest. When supplemented with late fees (themselves subject to interest), the resulting effective interest rate can be as high as 600% a year, which is perfectly legal in many states. Gary Rivlin, who wrote “Broke USA,” calculated that the poor pay an effective surcharge of about $30 billion a year for the financial and banking services they use.

Employers too have found ways to enrich themselves off the poor: by taking money from their employees. Kim Bobo documents in her book “Wage Theft in America” how U.S. employers pocket at least $100 billion a year through such things as requiring employees to work hours for which they’re not paid, failing to pay minimum wage and refusing to honor overtime pay differentials.

And it’s not just the private sector that’s preying on the poor. Local governments are discovering that they can partially make up for declining tax revenues through fines, fees and other costs imposed on indigent defendants, often for crimes no more dastardly than driving with a suspended license. And if that seems like an inefficient way to make money, given the high cost of locking people up, a growing number of jurisdictions have taken to charging defendants for their court costs and even the price of occupying a jail cell.

The poster case for government persecution of the down and out would have to be Edwina Nowlin, a homeless Michigan woman who was jailed in 2009 for failing to pay $104 a month to cover the room and board charges for her 16-year-old son’s incarceration. When she received a back paycheck, she thought it would allow her to pay for her son’s jail stay. Instead, it was confiscated and applied to the cost of her ongoing incarceration.

In 2009, a year into the Great Recession, I started hearing complaints from community organizers about ever more aggressive levels of law enforcement in low-income areas. Flick a cigarette butt and get arrested for littering; empty your pockets for an officer conducting a stop and frisk operation and get cuffed for a few flakes of marijuana. Each of these offenses can result, at a minimum, in a three-figure fine.

And the number of possible criminal offenses leading to jail and/or fines has been multiplying. In New York City, it’s now a crime to put your feet up on a subway seat, even if the rest of the car is empty. And a South Carolina woman spent six days in jail when she was unable to pay a $480 fine for the crime of having a “messy yard.” Some cities — most recently, Houston and Philadelphia — have made it a crime to share food with indigent people in public places.

Being poor itself is not yet a crime, but in at least a third of the states, being in debt can now land you in jail. If a creditor like a landlord or credit card company has a court summons issued for you and you fail to show up on your appointed court date, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. And it is easy enough to miss a court summons, which may have been delivered to the wrong address or, in the case of some bottom-feeding bill collectors, simply tossed in the garbage — a practice so common that the industry even has a term for it: “sewer service.”

Attempts to collect from the already poor are often not just punitive but self-defeating. Most states confiscate the drivers’ licenses of people owing child support, virtually guaranteeing that they will not be able to work. Michigan has started suspending the drivers’ licenses of people who owe money for parking tickets. Las Cruces, N.M., just passed a law that punishes people who owe overdue traffic fines by cutting off their water, gas and sewer.

The predatory activities of local governments give new meaning to that tired phrase “the cycle of poverty.” Poor people are more likely than the affluent to get into trouble with the law, either by failing to pay parking fines or by incurring the wrath of a private sector creditor like a landlord or a hospital.

Once you have been deemed a criminal, you can pretty much kiss your remaining assets goodbye. Not only will you face the aforementioned court costs, but you’ll have a hard time ever finding a job again once you’ve acquired a criminal record. And then, of course, the poorer you become, the more likely you are to get in fresh trouble with the law, making this less like a “cycle” and more like the waterslide to hell. The further you descend, the faster you fall, until you eventually end up on the streets and get busted for an offense like urinating in public or sleeping on a sidewalk.

There are all kinds of policies that would help curb this kind of predation on the poor. Limits on usury should be reinstated. Theft should be taken seriously even when it’s committed by millionaire employers. No one should be incarcerated for debt or squeezed for money they have no chance of getting their hands on. These are no-brainers, and should take precedence over any long-term talk about generating jobs or strengthening the safety net.

Before we can “do something” for the poor, there are some things we need to stop doing to them.

Barbara Ehrenreich is the author, among other books, of “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America,” and the founder of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project to support innovative journalism on poverty. A longer version of this piece appears at tomdispatch.com

La Opinion Newspaper Column

Randy Jurado Ertll — Sun, 13 May 2012 03:51:26 +0000

La Opinion Link:

http://www.laopinion.com/%C2%BFEl_legado_de_Coca_Cola%3F

¿El legado de Coca Cola?

Randy Jurado Ertll |
El libro Inside Coca-Cola: A CEO’s Life Story of Building the World’s Most Popular Brand (Dentro de Coca-Cola: biografía de un director ejecutivo del desarrollo de la marca más popular del mundo), escrito por Neville Isdell con David Beasle se lee rápidamente. El libro plantea algunas ideas sobre la dirección de una corporación multinacional y cómo Coca-Cola aumentó su participación en el mercado en países como Sudáfrica, Filipinas, Alemania y otros países. En última instancia se convirtió en una de las marcas más dominantes y reconocidas en el mundo.

Pero el libro omite mencionar cómo las corporaciones multinacionales como Coca-Cola en realidad tienen un impacto negativo en la disponibilidad de recursos naturales, especialmente el agua potable, en países en desarrollo, y cómo se han violado los derechos humanos en países como Colombia.

Coca-Cola tiene una historia formidable y un increíble reconocimiento de su nombre, sin importar el país o el idioma. Gracias a que muchos de nosotros nos hemos acostumbrado a tomar una con las comidas, se ha convertido en parte de nuestras vidas cotidianas.

Y puede llegar a ser adictiva. La mayoría de los consumidores no se dan cuenta de que el marketing de Coca-Cola es tan eficaz que hemos dejado de prestar atención a las violaciones ambientales y de derechos humanos de las personas pobres en los países en desarrollo.

El trabajo de Isdell es promover la Coca-Cola presentando los aspectos positivos, ya que ha ganado mucho dinero en la corporación. Le gusta hacer énfasis en que comenzó su carrera en Coca-Cola como conductor de camiones, donde observó y aprendió de empleados de Coca-Cola con experiencia. Por ejemplo, describió a un empleado en particular “Cork condujo el camión durante tres días, inspeccionando las tiendas locales. Era un juego. Los clientes hacían comentarios a Hutch sobre Cork, y Cork recibía información de los clientes y del mercado”. Isdell se convirtió en un experto en relaciones humanas y en desarrollar sólidas amistades en todos los niveles.

Isdell aprendió que necesitaba tener un contacto directo con la comunidad y que la meta clave de Coca-Cola era satisfacer a los clientes, lograr buenas utilidades para los accionistas y mantener contentos a los miembros del directorio.

Describió su ascenso en Coca-Cola y cómo le dieron la oportunidad de dirigir Coca-Cola en Filipinas. Se siente orgulloso de que Coca-Cola se convirtiera en la bebida número uno en Filipinas bajo su dirección.

Sin embargo, Isdell tiende a idealizar y hacer que Coca-Cola parezca una gran corporación que se preocupa por los países en desarrollo y sus habitantes. Menciona brevemente cómo ciertos escándalos fueron solucionados legalmente, pero evita a propósito profundizar en eso.

Por ejemplo, Deval Patrick, que actualmente es gobernador de Massassachusetts, señaló que hubo cierta discriminación en Coca-Cola, debido a que no se promovía a las minorías. Se llegó a un acuerdo en una demanda legal y los detalles siguen siendo confidenciales.

Además, Isdell olvida mencionar cómo Coca-Cola ha instalado plantas industriales en ciertos países que utilizan agua potable, ya que prefieren usarla para producir Coca-Cola. Esto es controvertido en la India y varios activistas han sido asesinados por denunciar el uso excesivo y monopólico de agua potable para producir Coca-Cola.

Isdell tuvo que admitir en el libro que se llegó a un acuerdo por una demanda judicial en la que se acusaba a Coca-Cola de apoyar y financiar escuadrones de la muerte en Colombia, que asesinaron a activistas de protección del medio ambiente. Es además uno de los motivos por los que el ahora gobernador de Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, renunció a Coca-Cola.

Otro punto es que Isdell no menciona que el consumo excesivo de Coca-Cola puede provocar diabetes y otros problemas de salud.

En realidad es básicamente una bebida llena de azúcar y un estudio reciente realizado por el Centro para la Ciencia en favor del Interés Público señaló que los aditivos del colorante caramelo han contribuido a provocar cáncer en ratones de laboratorio.

Al libro le faltan detalles sobre temas conflictivos relacionados con la disponibilidad y el uso del agua. Isdell lo utilizó como una herramienta promocional de sí mismo y para engrandecer su papel en Coca-Cola, y por lo tanto debemos ser consumidores con conciencia social.

El libro nos ofrece la oportunidad de cuestionar cómo las corporaciones multinacionales afectan negativamente el ambiente y los recursos naturales de los países en desarrollo y cómo los derechos humanos y los derechos laborales muchas veces son ignorados en los países pobres en desarrollo. La mayoría de los consumidores no son conscientes de lo que realmente sucede en las corporaciones multinacionales en relación con los derechos ambientales, los derechos humanos y los derechos laborales.

Algunos países en desarrollo están tan desesperados por obtener inversiones extranjeras que sus gobiernos están dispuestos a hacer la vista gorda a los abusos en cuanto a derechos ambientales, laborales y humanos. Muchas veces son cómplices, ya que también obtienen ganancias gracias a las alianzas comerciales.

Coca-Cola no debería buscar enormes ganancias a costa de dañar la salud de las personas e ignorar sus derechos humanos y ambientales.

La próxima vez que tomemos una Coca-Cola o veamos un comercial, recordemos a las personas que murieron debido a la avaricia corporativa que no valora ni protege la vida humana en los países en desarrollo.

Pasadena’s Lit Fest Book Festival – Saturday May 12

Randy Jurado Ertll — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:12:35 +0000

Please join us this Saturday May 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Pasadena’s Lit Fest Book Festival to take place at Pasadena’s Central Park. Located at 275 S. Raymond Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91105

I will have my book Hope in Times of Darkness: A Salvadoran American Experience available (English and Spanish language edition).

VROMAN’S Bookstore will also have my book at this book festival. Here is their web site:

Please click on this link: VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE

Daily News newspaper – Analyzing the 1992 L.A. Riots

Randy Jurado Ertll — Sun, 06 May 2012 19:56:11 +0000

Things have improved, but there’s still a long way to go

By Randy Jurado Ertll

LA Daily News

IF the beating of Rodney King had not been captured on video, the same brutality and insanity would probably still be a normal occurrence in L.A.’s poor areas, even today.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, countless individuals were beaten by rogue Los Angeles police officers who were influenced by then-Chief Daryl Gates. Gates liked to portray himself as a tough-as-nails, no-holds-barred cop. He was willing to use force by any means necessary against the so-called bad guys.

During that time, the LAPD’s mission became murky and blurry. Some LAPD officers who were fighting against the thugs became thugs themselves – engaging in unethical and illegal activities, under the protection of a badge. Many felt unrestrained power with the badge, baton and gun.

Many officers were seen as an occupying force who did not live in the areas that they patrolled. Racism was not subliminal but obvious.

Then the officers who savagely beat Rodney King on a traffic stop the year before were acquitted. People in South Central and Central L.A. were outraged. They were all-too familiar with such inequities and injustices.

The rage exploded in one of the most destructive riots in U.S. history.

A few of the positive outcomes of the riots were that the LAPD was forced to reform, Gates resigned as chief, and the Christopher Commission was created. The Christopher Commission came up with many proposals for reform, including revising the City Charter to make the chief of police subject to term limits.

It is also important to point out that the media chose to portray the L.A. riots as a white, black and Korean issue.

The Latino community was mostly ignored in the coverage. The main Latino spokesperson to emerge was actor Edward James Olmos, who on live television decided to take a broom and asked others to join him in cleaning up Los Angeles after the looting and out-of-control fires initiated by arsonists.

Despite Latinos’ invisibility to the media, the riots served as a wake-up call to the broader Latino community. It ignited concern largely from Central American immigrants who had quietly endured abuse by police for years. Street vendors, day laborers and youths began gathering at community meetings, telling their stories of harassment and abuse.

The fear of the LAPD was particularly pronounced among school-age teens (who were frequently profiled as gang members, even if they were just walking home from school with their friends). The fallout of the verdict meant elected officials would now have to begin hearing concerns raised in Latino neighborhoods about police misconduct. It spread to questions not only about the LAPD, but criticism of how the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department treated Latinos as well.

Also, the real underlying political and socioeconomic issues were finally addressed by political and business leaders.

Two decades later, we now have a Latino mayor, a chief of police who believes in community policing, and a City Council that actually acknowledges certain social justice issues. However, we still have a long way to go and the injustices of the past still linger.

Areas such as South L.A., Koreatown, Pico-Union/Westlake, and other high poverty communities continue to be neglected. Liquor stores and cheap motels are still commonplace in South L.A. and other poor areas. The business leaders of Los Angeles have not done enough to bridge the gap between rich and poor.

The real question going forward should be, how will future elected officials help to create real jobs and opportunities in poor, neglected areas that have not improved much since 1992? We need to hold the current mayoral candidates’ feet to the fire in regards to what they propose to do to help revitalize South L.A.

The continual challenge is to educated youths and train them in leadership positions.

Otherwise, the same vicious cycle of poverty will continue and the city’s poor areas will remain neglected, dangerous and with no real hope.

Let’s just hope and pray that real change will one day arrive. Let us not wait another 20 years.

Randy Jurado Ertll grew up in South Central Los Angeles. He is the author of the book “Hope in Times of Darkness: A Salvadoran American Experience.” Readers can find out more on his website www.randyjuradoertll.com.

Telemundo Network News – L.A. Riots

Randy Jurado Ertll — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:47:01 +0000

Invitation – L.A. Riots Discussion at the African American Cultural Center

Randy Jurado Ertll — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:59:42 +0000

Discussion at Cal State Dominguez Hills – 1992 L.A. Riots – 20 Years Later

Randy Jurado Ertll — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:22:06 +0000

Invitation – L.A. Riots – 20 Years Later – Presentation at Cal State Dominguez Hills

Randy Jurado Ertll — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:05:54 +0000

The L.A. riots (disobedience, revolt) – 20 years later and how far have we come? Hope you can join us this Monday April 23 at 11:30 a.m at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Presentation by Randy Jurado Ertll, author of the book Hope in Times of Darkness: A Salvadoran American Experience at Cal State Dominguez Hills – discussion with students/community members who live or work in South L.A. and other areas.

Discussion/presentation related to 20 Year Anniversary of the L.A. Riots and Ertll’s book.

Monday, April 23, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at Cal State Dominguez Hills – 1000 E. Victoria Street Carson, CA 90747. At Loker Student Union.

To discuss the root causes of the L.A. Riots, police brutality, racial profiling, gang violence, hate crimes, shootings, murders, robberies, bullying by thugs, teachers, and police) during the 1980′s, leading to 1992, and the present. The importance of literature and books among minority groups will be presented. Admission is free.

Link – directions to campus:

http://www.csudh.edu/VisitUs/drivingdirections.shtml

Link to campus map:

http://www.csudh.edu/visitus/documents/campusmap.pdf\