By Kitzia Vazquez, Staff Reporter
January, 2022
Mexican street vendors are hard-working people, when they cant get a job they start their own business, selling drinks, snacks, and gifts. Since they can’t get a job here in the U.S. they start their own business to provide money for their families or themselves. But sadly, because of racism, many get their stuff thrown down, stolen, or destroyed. It has been happening a lot recently. For example, In Inglewood California, 28-year-old Ernesto Francisco went and set up his flowers as he always does to sell and make an earning for himself, when all of a sudden a woman got off a bus and started to verbally tell him stuff and took some of his flowers. The 30-year-old woman who attacked Ernesto was later arrested. And I believe the way I do because it is sad to see how hard working people get their stuff destroyed for no reason when all they do is work in the heat and cold to earn money.
To begin with they get their stuff destroyed or stolen because some people think that it is “cool” or “fun” to do this kind of thing. Sadly the vendors have no other way to make money, and some don’t have enough money to replace the stuff they had so they have no job. It is important that we don’t destroy their only way of earning a living and instead help them out and buy food to get more money for their families. Fortunately, some who get their stuff destroyed or stolen are helped by community members who and buys their goods so they can keep selling.
Some may say that they shouldn’t sell food because they have no license or permission to sell. But I believe they don’t need a license especially right now with COVID-19 many people have lost their jobs and have no form to provide money for their families. Their only way to get money is by selling food, drinks, snacks on their own and additionally during Valentine’s, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day vendors always go on the streets to sell things for people to get to their loved ones and earn a living.
I believe that street vendors should not get treated the way they do because they are the most hard-working people in the country. And I feel strongly about my position because they are innocent people trying to earn and make a living for themselves and their families. So next time you see a street vendor buy from them and be grateful for them, never steal or destroy someone else’s hard work but instead buy from them to help earn a living and provide for their families.
The Cardinal Post 