California’s Gen Z

The opinions expressed here are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions or beliefs of the LA Progressive.

During my year of living in a studio apartment in LA's Thai Town, I have dealt with termites, not having heat, and rampant mold that worsened my asthma. A cracked ceiling in my bathroom led to leaking. After multiple requests for repair, I came home to a big hole in my bathroom ceiling, someone took off the bathroom door and left it in my living room, and a cockroach infestation so bad that I avoided using the bathroom for as long as possible. When I absolutely had to go in, I knew roaches would fall on my head, so I brought in roach spray and wore a mask as protection from the hazards I knew I’d encounter in my own home.

As a young adult working to establish my career, I hustle and grind every day. I juggle several gigs as an artist, advocate, and educator in Los Angeles to pay my monthly bills, which includes almost $1,600 for monthly rent. But with wages that don’t keep up with the rising cost of living, I have had to depend on credit cards, savings, and food rationing to make ends meet. During this time, my debt has gone up while my weight has gone down. And I unfortunately cannot afford to move into a new place despite my desperation of wanting a healthier and safer place to call home.

Sadly, my experience struggling with the economy and affordable housing is shared by young Californians throughout the state, according to a recent poll conducted by Power California. Young Black Californians like me are 14% more deeply affected by the economy compared to our Latine, AAPI, and white peers.

Here in Los Angeles, 80% of young people ages 18 to 30 have considered leaving the state due to the cost of living or having experienced economic insecurity in the last twelve months, while one in four have taken on a second job or side hustle, and one in five have had to postpone paying bills. It’s no wonder almost half of all young people in the state feel like California is headed in the wrong direction.

Despite these challenges, I work tirelessly on my multiple gigs while also looking for a full-time job and preparing to take classes at a community college this fall. I am passionate about creating the positive change I want to see in our world, and am hopeful about my future. My optimism mirrors half of young Californians who feel similarly that things will get better in a few years. But in order for this to happen, we need local and state elected leaders who are committed to putting people and communities rather than big corporate interests that have driven politics over our lifetime.

This perspective bears out in the youth survey: An overwhelming number of young people—nine out of 10—perceive the system benefits billionaires and greedy corporations, and 88% believe that corporations are getting richer while everyday working people struggle.

This is why it is so important to participate in this November’s consequential elections. While the presidential race always gets top billing, there are many critical statewide and local candidates and issues on the ballot up and down California that will determine how we live day to day. Our generation is historically diverse and our political power is growing, and we have an opportunity to vote for candidates, initiatives, and ballot measures that align with our needs. We can create the future we deserve through exercising our power to vote.