Workers' World Today - Issue 43

NEW YORK, NY (April 10) (readMedia): On Monday, Attorney General Letitia James and over ten labor unions joined forces to rally for a $21.25 minimum wage in the final state budget. As New Yorkers face the gravest cost of living crisis in 40 years, NYC unions NYC Central Labor Council, DC37, 32BJ, 1199, NYSNA, CWA, Laborers Local 79, Steamfitters Local 638, NYS Ironworkers, IUPAT DC 9, and Teamsters

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May 1 through May 5: Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 378 of the 986 construction fatalities recorded in 2021 (BLS data). Further research shows that as much as 80 percent or more occurred on non-union sites. Every one of those deaths was preventable.

AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL STAFF

Over the next 30 years, immigrants will pay more in taxes than they will consume in benefits, a new study from the Cato Institute found. This net posi-

30+ labor unions across New York support the Raise the Wage Act in final state budget.

Photo courtesy AFL-CIO

Supports Workers’ World Today

Recently, I was in Albany fighting and seeking support of A1261/S1947, legislation that will create a clear definition of public work and level the playing field for New York’s contractors.

District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union (DC9), the union for painters, prides itself on being a strong advocate for workers’ rights and safety. We are excited about this new publication, Workers’ World Today, which covers the issues of relevance and concern for all workers. We are encouraged that all workers: blue and white collar will have a voice and platform.

Congratulations on your inaugural issue. We wish much success to the leaders and team of Workers’ World Today and pledge our support.p

Davon Lomax Political Director, DC9

Let’s Fight Crime the Proven Way: By Increasing the Minimum Wage

BY LAUREN MELODIA URBAN MATTERS

At this writing, it’s not clear how the stalemate on bail reform tying up passage of New York State’s budget will end. But my recent research leads me to make two predictions about public safety and the budget.

First, Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed rollback of cash bail reform would do little to prevent street crime, while putting more pre-trial detainees in New York City’s notoriously unsafe Rikers Island jail.

And second, the budget measure most likely to actually cut crime is increasing the state minimum wage.

We’ll get back to bail reform in a minute. First, let’s talk about genuinely fighting crime.

In the decade before the pandemic, a trend of rising income inequality flattened in New York City for the first time in 30 years. In the 2010s, the bottom 50 percent of New York City households experienced rising income for the first time in 20 years. At the same time, the richest one percent saw their share of the city’s total income dip for the first time since the 1980s.

This was no accident. It was largely the result of a new law that effectively doubled the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour, in stages, between 2013 and 2019. In order to pay the lowest-wage workers more, employers reduced their distribution of profits to executives and shareholders.

As economic equality rose, crimes of all types in New York City also dropped dra-

matically. From 2013 to 2019, burglary and robbery fell 38 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Motor vehicle grand larceny declined 26 percent. Murders fell six percent. This is also not a coincidence. Numerous studies over the past 40 years find strong and consistent evidence that cities with greater economic inequality have high rates for all types of crime against people and property. That makes policies that decrease economic inequality, like minimum wage laws, effective ways to reduce crime.

A Brennan Center for Justice study found that increasing income was one of the most effective factors – alongside decreasing alcohol consumption – that contributed to declining crime in the period 1990 to 2013, when overall crime rates in the U.S. declined by 50 percent. It found that increases in per capita income were responsible for decreases in all types of crime of five to 10 percent in the 1990s and 2000s. Meanwhile, increased incarceration had no effect on the drop in violent crime during the entire time period; it accounted for about six percent of the decline in property crime in the 1990s, but less than one percent of the decline in property crime in the 2000s. New York City, like many communities in the U.S., has experienced an increase in crime since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The underlying causes are largely similar across the country: an uptick in gun sales as well as the decline in social cohesion sparked by the pandemic’s shutdowns. However, there is an additional underlying cause

unique here. New York has experienced a more pronounced and longer economic impact from the pandemic, resulting in a slower recovery from pandemic-induced job losses and prolonged higher unemployment.

Those factors threaten the important equality gains made in the decade prior to the pandemic that also facilitated a dramatic decline in crime. In 2020, the one percent’s income share rose again, as stock market and capital gains soared in the last half of the year while earnings for low-wage workers bearing the brunt of pandemic job dislocations plummeted.

The pandemic’s unique impact on economic inequality in New York is reflected in the ensuing crime trends. Public safety policy must be designed in ways that learn lessons from what’s worked in the past and that is responsive to what is happening in our society today.

The State can make a significant impact on reversing economic inequality by passing a new minimum wage law. The governor and both houses of the legislature all include minimum wage bills in their budget proposals. The legislature’s Raise the Wage Act (S.1978A / A.2204A) would be similar to the last minimum wage law, gradually raising the minimum wage to $21.25 by 2026. This would get it back to the inflation-adjusted value of the $15 minimum wage in 2019. It also improves on the previous law by indexing the minimum wage to inflation so that rising prices would no longer erode its value moving forward.

Editor-in-Chief

Pearl Phillip

Contributing Writers

Linda Nwoke

Victoria Falk

Travis Morales

Mary Campbell

Janet Howard

Chris Tobias

Erin Telesford

Legal Advisor

Brian Figeroux, Esq. Telephone

Proponents of changing current bail laws cite the importance of judges having discretion to protect the general population from the most dangerous people. But the criminal justice system and its policies don’t just target the most violent criminals. In this country we have a glaring problem of mass incarceration which is not targeted, but which sweeps many vulnerable people into its grip. Changing the state’s bail laws would have a broad and detrimental impact on poor New Yorkers, exacerbating inequality at a time when we need action to eradicate inequality.

Fixating on bail reform in lieu of budget proposals that would target inequality directly misses an opportunity to be pro-active on public safety.p

Lauren Melodia is deputy director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School. She is the author of the January 2023 report “Crime in the Time of Covid: How Economic Conditions and Policies Shape Public Safety in New York City.”

Workers’ Matters

Minimum Wage

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Local 804 are urging Albany lawmakers to raise the state's minimum wage to $21.25 by 2026 before indexing it to inflation. Over 30 labor unions across New York have joined the Raise Up NY coalition to fight for the Raise the Wage Act, which would benefit 2.9 million New Yorkers with an annual raise of $3,300. The legislation is extremely popular among New Yorkers, with recent polling showing that 80% of New Yorkers – including 65% of Republican voters –support raising the minimum wage to $20+ before indexing it. In addition to labor support, the Raise the Wage Act has support from 160 organizations, nearly 300 businesses, and over 80 Albany Democratic lawmakers, ranging from progressives to moderates.

With the minimum wage frozen at $15 downstate, and only $14.20 upstate, wages are now worth 15% less than they were in 2019. This means $15 has the purchasing power of just $12.75 today. Governor Kathy Hochul's budget pro-

posal would only index New York's minimum wage starting at the current $15, increasing worker pay by only $13/week for only 900,000 workers – a far less effective proposal compared to the Raise the Wage Act.

New York State is not alone in grappling with a dire affordability crisis – many states and cities are working to raise their minimum wages by 2027. High cost regions of the country, including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle already have minimum wages in the $17 to $18 range and are projected to reach $20 to $21 by 2027. And high cost states like Massachusetts are proposing to raise their wages to $20 by 2027 in response to the sky-rocketing cost of living.

"What labor has done for New York cannot be quantified by a dollar amount. We owe workers a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid," said New York Attorney General Letitia James. "Workers are the ones who show up in times of crisis and the ones who keep us moving forward. They are essential, and they should be paid enough to afford the es-

sentials for their families. I am proud to stand with labor leaders and hardworking New Yorkers statewide to demand the raise workers deserve."

"It's past time for NY to break the cycle of infrequent wage increases that fail to keep up with the rising costs of living," said New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO President Vincent Alvarez. "While we're all feeling the pain of rising costs, lower wage workers are being hit the hardest. Most minimum wage workers struggling to make ends meet are adults, and more than a quarter are supporting families. We need to raise the wage to $21.25 and automatically adjust that

wage annually-and with 81% of New Yorkers already in support, we can and must get it done this year. Three million working New Yorkers and their families can't afford to wait."

"New York must be proactive in fighting for working families and ensuring they aren't left behind. The value of the city's minimum wage has plummeted far below what workers need to make a living here. The Raise the Wage Act will restore the badly eroded minimum wage and increase it automatically each year to make sure it doesn't fall behind again," said Henry Garrido, DC 37 Executive Director.

The CEO of McDonalds makes $21.8 million dollars a year. That number translates over $10 thousand dollars an hour for a forty hour week. We need to balance the scales and raise the minimum wage," said James P. Mahoney, President, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers. "The NYS District Council of Iron Workers and our 16 Locals and 10,000 members stand shoulder to shoulder with workers across the labor movement in the fight for dignified wages. Our commitment to solidarity compels us to fight for the Raise the Wage Act. We're proud to join our voice to the demand that the legislature raise the minimum wage to $21.25, then indexing so no worker falls behind again."

"Steamfitters Local 638 is proud to stand with our brothers and sisters in the NY labor movement to raise the wage, because morally it is the right thing to do and anything that raises the wage floor inevitably benefits all workers, including those in our industry we have yet to organize and represent,"

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Photo courtesy AFL-CIO

Workers’ Matters

Minimum Wage

continued from page 4 said James R. Sheeran Jr., President Steamfitters Local 638.

"Nurses know firsthand the impact of the affordability crisis on our patients. When New Yorkers struggle to make ends meet, they may wait until healthcare issues become emergencies to seek treatment. We need to give working New Yorkers a raise they desperately need and deserve. A $21.25 minimum wage before indexing would help millions of families keep up with rising costs. We are urging Albany lawmakers to include the full Raise the Wage Act in the final state budget," said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN.

"New Yorkers who work for a living should earn a living, but we all know that isn't possible on today's minimum wage. Ten years ago, CWA was proud to be part of the fight for 15 movement and help win a $15 minimum wage. Now, as we are facing the worst affordability crisis in 40 years, despite record breaking productivity and corporate profits, it is time for New York to stand with workers and lead the Nation again. Albany must take bold action and give nearly three million minimumwage New Yorkers the raise they deserve - $21.25 - no less will do." said Dennis Trainor, Vice President, CWA District 1.

"A minimum wage of less than $21.25 will mean no raise at all for thousands of our members – many of whom are earning less than $18 today but are still being crushed by skyrocketing prices and a minimum wage that just hasn't kept up. New York's minimum wage has been stuck at $15 for years and greedy corporations like Amazon and UPS have taken advantage to exploit employees. Workers are fighting back at the state capitol and through our unions to get what we deserve," said Antonio Rosario, Teamsters Local 804.

"New York is facing an unprecedented healthcare workforce crisis. Low wages, combined with the severe impact of the pandemic, have caused a staffing emergency across the healthcare industry," said George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. "We urgently need to enact a budget that invests in workers and raises the minimum wage, to uplift New York families and protect the essential services that all of us rely on."

"Millions of hardworking New Yorkers can get the wage

justice they need if Albany ends the delay and raises the minimum wage through the budget," said Michael Prohaska, Business Manager of the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York and Laborers Local 79. "The Laborers are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our union family in New York City and allies in Albany to support raising the minimum wage to $21.25 and indexing it to inflation."

"We need better pay so we

can take care of ourselves and our families. I'm a single mother and I work at three agencies to provide for my family. I work 92 hours a week. If the wage was better, I would work 40 hours and it would cover my expenses, but the pay is not enough! Gov. Hochul, you need to invest in home care and invest in working people. We cannot keep doing critical jobs on poverty wages," said Honorina Landi, Homecare Worker, Premier.

The Raise the Wage Act

would deliver a meaningful raise similar in scale to the $15 minimum wage-which delivered large raises to one in three New Yorkers without causing any job loss. Five independent studies have found that New York's 2016 legislation, which raised the minimum wage to $15, led to historic reductions in poverty and earnings inequality in New York without hurting job growth. In fact, both upstate and down, jobs in New York grew at least as fast, and in many cases faster, than they did in similar counties in states that didn't raise the minimum wage during that period. Raising the minimum wage also boosted sales at local businesses across New York and helped businesses keep their employees, saving them recruitment and retention costs.

A growing coalition of nearly 300 businesses and business organizations across New York State support the Raise the Wage Act because it will boost consumer spending, strengthen New York's workforce and businesses, and help build a more resilient economy. The group includes re-

tailers, restaurants, farms, manufacturers, and other small businesses from every corner of the state. In their recent statement, businesses stated, "Raising the minimum wage pays off in lower employee turnover, lower hiring and training costs, increased productivity, and better customer service, which keeps customers coming back.

"Inflation is the highest it's been in 40 years and our current wage loses value every day. Workers deserve a robust, updated wage that respects the dignity of their labor and keeps our economy strong. Raising the minimum wage is a win-win," said New York City Council Majority Leader Keith Powers.

"The current inflation rates have effectively decreased the minimum wage, making it harder for families to make ends meet," said Council Member Marjorie Velázquez, Chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. "By increasing the minimum wage, workers will be able to better support the needs of their families." p

Editorial credit: Steve Sanchez Photos / Shutterstock.com

New York City Council Calls on Wendy’s to Join the Fair Food Program and Support Farmworkers’ Human Rights

New York City, NY:

The New York City Council this week resoundingly passed a resolution demanding Wendy’s join the Fair Food Program, a groundbreaking initiative that guarantees the rights of farmworkers on farms under its protection. The FFP has won high praise for its unique effectiveness, including a Presidential Medal for its “extraordinary efforts” in fighting forced labor, and is widely recognized as the “gold standard” for protecting farmworkers against sexual harassment, assault, wage theft, and inhumane living conditions.

The resolution, introduced by Council Member and Chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor Carmen De La Rosa, highlights the Pro-

gram’s unparalleled success in ensuring farmworkers are provided basic protections and fundamental human rights, and denounces the fact that Wendy’s is the only major fast food chain in the U.S. to refuse to join the Program. The resolution comes at a time of increased national attention to worker exploitation within corporate supply chains, from child labor to systemic forced

labor within agriculture. The New York City Council resolution will deepen scrutiny of Wendy’s and bolster the growing call for the hamburger giant to bring its network of supply farms under the Fair Food Program’s bestin-class protections.

“The workforce that supplies the food we eat should not have to endure abuse in exchange for pennies that they depend on to feed their own families. If large corporations are going to operate in our city, they must do so sustainably. New York City has a globally influential economy, and we have opportunities here as leaders to create a more socially-just economy,” said Civil Service and Labor Chair, Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. “The workers who care for us on a daily

basis deserve sustainable wages and humane working conditions. That’s why we are passing Resolution 131 to call on Wendy’s to join the Fair Food Program and support farmworkers’ human rights.”

“The resolution sends a clear message not only to Wendy’s, but to major food retailers everywhere: New Yorkers stand with farmworkers in their fight for dignity and freedom.“ said Lupe Gonzalo, a staff member of the CIW who was a farmworker for 12 years and today educates her fellow workers on their rights under the Fair Food Program on participating farms. “It is time for Wendy’s to follow the lead of its competitors and join the battle against forced labor in our food system by participating in the Fair Food Program, which is the gold standard of

human rights protections in the fields.”

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) – a workerbased human rights organization founded by farmworkers in the early 1990s in the agricultural community of Immokalee, Florida – pioneered the Fair Food Program in 2011. The CIW and its consumer allies have campaigned for over a decade calling on Wendy’s to join the FFP. In 2018, dozens of farmworkers and allies fasted for five days outside the Manhattan office of Nelson Peltz, who is the Chairman of Wendy’s Board of Directors and the company’s largest shareholder. In March of this year, the CIW organized a march of nearly 600 people in Palm Beach, FL, home of Nelson Peltz, demanding his company join the Program. p

Council Member Carmen De La Rosa.

Photo: carmenfornyc.com

Inflation and Saving Your Home from Foreclosure and Predators

BY ERIN TELESFORD

According to The Economics

Daily: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the 12 months ended June 2022, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 9.1 percent. The 9.1-percent increase in the all items index was the largest 12-month increase since the 12-month period ending November 1981. Prices for food increased 10.4 percent for the 12 months ending June 2022, the largest increase since February 1981. Prices for food at home rose 12.2 percent over the last 12 months, the largest increase since April 1979. Prices for food away from home rose 7.7 per-

cent, the largest 12-month change since November 1981. Energy prices rose 41.6 percent over the last year, the largest 12month increase since April 1980. Within the energy category, motor fuel prices (which includes all types of gasoline) increased 60.2 percent over the year. Gasoline prices increased 59.9 percent; the largest 12-month increase since March 1980. Electricity prices rose 13.7 percent, the largest 12-month increase since April 2006. Natural gas (piped utility gas) prices increased 38.4 percent over the 12 months ended June 2022, the largest increase since October 2005. Prices for new vehicles increased 11.4 percent over the year, prices for used cars and trucks were

up 7.1 percent, while prices for motor vehicle parts and equipment increased 14.9 percent.

The greatest financial crisis in the United States was last recession which spanned from December 2007 to June 2009. During this time, unemployment rates were raised by about 6.1% resulting in a loss of consumer spending and business investments. Before the recession, many Americans bought houses using mortgages they couldn’t afford, eventually causing them to fall into poverty and their homes into foreclosure. The effects of the Great Recession did not recover once the economy stabilized in 2009. According to The State of Working America, “In October 2010,

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*Your

*List

Your Chances of Getting Rid of Student Loan Debt Depend on Who You Are

BY KELSEY LYNNE HESS PH.D., ANDREA C. F. WOLFS, DEBORAH GOLDFARB &

THE CONVERSATION

To get rid of student loan debt through bankruptcy, you must prove to the court that paying back your student loans would cause an “undue hardship.” But in our peer-reviewed study of nearly 700 student loan discharge cases spanning 1985 to 2020, we found that judges’ decisions to dismiss student loans are often influenced by personal factors, such as your gender.

To determine whether repaying the student loan debt is causing the debtor to experience an undue hardship, most courts apply three criteria outlined in a case known as “Brunner.”

Under Brunner, to prove they are experiencing an undue hardship, debtors must first demonstrate that repaying their student loans would not allow them to maintain a minimal standard of living. In other words, repaying the debt would prevent them from meeting their basic needs, including food, clothing and shelter. Second, debtors must show that additional circumstances exist that indicate their finances are unlikely to improve. These additional circumstances could include having a

medical condition or caring for dependents. Third, debtors must show that they have made good-faith efforts to repay their loans. This includes efforts to make payments on the loans or attempts to consolidate their debt.

Meeting these three criteria is tough. Our data shows that about 38% of the debtors in the cases that we studied received a full or partial discharge of their student loans. But we also discovered other factors regularly come into play in the court’s decisions. Here are three factors that stood out in our research.

1. Being a single mom helps, but not being a single dad

In student loan discharge decisions, judges regularly consider the expenses associated with a debtor’s children. Our research team found it also sometimes matters to the court whether the debtor is a single parent. Being a single parent more than doubled the chances of obtaining a discharge, but only for mothers. Single fathers did not experience any notable benefit from being a single parent.

We’re not certain about why courts view single moms as more deserving of a discharge than single dads. It could have something to do with stereotypes about mothers being the “caregivers” in a family,

whereas men are the “breadwinners.” A mother’s plea to help fulfill her role as a caregiver may be seen as more persuasive than a father’s plea to be relieved of his financial obligations.

2. Disclosing a medical condition helps men, but not women

When assessing a debtor’s ability to repay a debt, case law suggests that judges must consider any difficulties a person has in trying to find a decent-paying job.

Such struggles are captured by the “additional circumstances” mentioned in the second Brunner criterion. Those additional circumstances include medical conditions. However, judges appear to give medical conditions more consideration for men than they do for women.

Our research found that men reporting a medical condition are 93% more likely to obtain a student loan discharge than men who did not report a medical condition. We did not find this same effect for women. This gender gap is highly relevant, given that female debtors outnumbered male debtors in our analysis almost 2 to 1.

Women’s medical concerns seem to be dismissed or overlooked in multiple arenas – from courts to hospitals. Psychologists theorize this may arise from stereotypes that suggest women may dramatize medical conditions and exaggerate their pain.

The benefit of having an attorney in court is well-supported by research. Attorneys who specialize in bankruptcy are likely to be aware of the factors upon which judges rely and can build a strong case for discharge. Without an attorney, it can be difficult to know which details to disclose and how to present them.

Potential solutions

Getting student loan debt discharged can be difficult and emotionally draining. If you are thinking about seeking relief from student loan debt, the following suggestions may help.

Develop a strategy that takes your gender into account: For single fathers, it might be advantageous to emphasize your “breadwinning” role, show the court that you have made efforts toward repaying the loans or have tried very hard to get a decent-paying job. For women with medical conditions, provide as much evidence as you can in the form of hospital visits, attempts to declare disability and the like.

Regardless of gender, remember that having an attorney matters: Familiarize yourself with legal aid organizations in your area, which can offer free legal services. Also, be sure to search for other free legal information that can be found on court websites and similar venues.

3.

Not having an attorney hurts your cause

Thanks to ubiquitous crime dramas, it is widely known that those who cannot afford an attorney can have one appointed. Lesser known is that this constitutional right applies only to criminal proceedings.

In most civil trials, like bankruptcy proceedings, there is no right to an attorney. When debtors cannot afford an attorney, they often must represent themselves.

In student loan bankruptcy proceedings, 33% of debtors represent themselves, often to their detriment. We found that debtors who retained an attorney improved their chances of getting their student loans discharged by at least 60%. This was true whether the debtor was male or female.

None of this advice matters if you fail to file a separate case to get your student loans discharged – as is the case with most student loan debtors who file a bankruptcy case. Without the separate proceeding, students loans cannot be discharged. Around 241,000 people with student loan debt filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. in 2017, but only 447 of those also filed a separate case to get rid of their student loans.l

Kelsey Lynne Hess Ph.D. is a Candidate in Legal Psychology, Florida International University. Andrea C. F. Wolfs is a Teaching Professor in Psychology, Plymouth State University. Deborah Goldfarb is an Assistant Professor of Psychology, Florida International University. Jacqueline R. Evans is an Associate Professor of Psychology, Florida International University.

JACQUELINE R. EVANS

Foreclosure & Predators/ continued from page 1

According to The State of Working America, “In October 2010, 16 months after the official end of the recession, the economy still had 5.4% fewer jobs than it did before the recession started.” The unemployment levels are little to no better now, and speculation that another economic collapse has come into the news.

The devastation of the Great Recession implored many people to take better action with their finances and mortgages in fear of another financial crisis that could cause them to lose their homes. However, many Americans lack knowledge on the options available for them in lieu of another recession and end up needing to file for bankruptcy when financial hardship arises. Much of the recent financial problems lower income individuals and families face are a result of their inability to afford or deal with unexpected major expenses such as job loss or medical bills. When these expenses become detrimental, one decision could be to file for bankruptcy.

According to a study published recently, 46 percent of bankruptcies were related to outstanding medical conditions. The major cited reasons in this category included injury or illness, medical expenses not covered by insurance or losing at least two weeks’ worth of work because of illness. Other causes of bankruptcy include

reduced income, job loss, credit debt, illness/injury, unexpected expenses and divorce. In the same time period, the percentage of filers age 55 or older more than doubled; those filers now account for about 20 percent of all bankruptcy petitioners. The study also found that 60 percent of bankruptcy filers have salaries of less than $30,000.

Bankruptcy is not a moral decision. It is a legal choice made when the debt situation is hopeless. Filing for bankruptcy can save your home and also stop wage garnishment. This can be troublesome due to the racial inequality involved with lawyers who specialize in bankruptcy.

In an interview with Brian Figeroux, Esq., on the radio show, Ask the Lawyer, he stated that you must” know the motives of the person giving you advice. There have been cases where people of color in

America, specifically black Americans, encountered lawyers and investors who claim to want to help them save their homes when, in reality, “10 out of 10 times, they are trying to hoodwink you.”

Figeroux also warned about a New York Times article which stated that white attorneys were not giving the best advice to black clients.

According to the New York Times article, Blacks Face Bias in Bankruptcy, by Tara Siegel Bernard, Blacks are about twice as likely as whites to wind up in the more onerous and costly form of consumer bankruptcy as they try to dig out from their debts, a new study has found. The disparity persisted even when the researchers adjusted for income, homeownership, assets and education. The evidence suggested that lawyers were disproportionately steering blacks into a process that was not as good for them financially, in part because of biases, whether conscious or unconscious.

The vast majority of debtors file under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code, which typically allows them to erase most debts in a matter of months. It tends to have a higher success rate and is less expensive than the alternative, Chapter 13, which requires debtors to dedicate their disposable income to paying back their debts for several years.

The study of racial differences in bankruptcy filings was written by Robert M.

Lawless, a bankruptcy expert and law professor, and Dov Cohen, a psychology professor, both with the University of Illinois; and Jean Braucher, a law professor at the University of Arizona.

A survey conducted as part of their research found that bankruptcy lawyers were much more likely to steer black debtors into a Chapter 13 than white filers even when they had identical financial situations. The lawyers, the survey found, were also more likely to view blacks as having “good values” when they expressed a preference for Chapter 13.

As communities of color, we have to be aware of what is happening. Persons are coming into our communities, offering to purchase our homes for cash. These persons are not trying to help you. Your property is an investment. It is the path to wealth-building and transferring wealth from one generation to another. Do not be fooled.

Figeroux's real estate office, Equity Smart Realty, Inc., was created because he “saw how our people suffered” from these types of scams and wants to be truthful with the black community in order to prevent the wrongful foreclosure of our community’s houses through bankruptcy consultation.

For a bankruptcy or save your home from foreclosure consultation with the Law Firm of Figeroux and Associates, call 855-768-8845.l

Divorce and Foreclosure: What You Need to Know

BY VICTORIA FALK

What do you do when “I do” turns into “I don’t,” and you can no longer stand to be in the presence of the person that you imagined you would spend the rest of your life with? You vowed to be together “…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health….” However, the sight of this person now ‘makes you sick,’ and you wonder if things can get any worse. Divorce becomes inevitable.

Divorce can be devastating, as two people who legally joined their lives together return to living separate lives. Gone are the hopes and dreams of “forever,” and in many cases, there may be a loss of income. As a result of divorce, individuals who enjoyed, in many cases, shared savings and shared living expenses are now faced with the challenge of maintaining a household without the same level benefit of financial assistance from another person that was previously received. It may be a financial challenge for one spouse to purchase the house from the other or maintain the full responsibility of taking care of the homeowner’s expenses on their own.

The relationship between the divorce rate and the foreclosure rate is evident, with the foreclosure rate increasing as the divorce rate increases. According to a study conducted by Citywide Home Loans, divorce is one of the most common foreclosure causes. “Frequently, divorce means that one person is designated as responsible for making mortgage payments. This can put financial stress on the individual making mortgage payments, especially if there are missed spousal support payments. The stress that the divorce process brings (both emotional and financial), along with impaired communication, can also mean missed mortgage

payments,” found Citywide Home Loans. However, divorce does not have to lead to foreclosure. There are things for the divorcing couple to consider. According to AllLaw, “A couple going through foreclosure at the same time they are going through a divorce should be aware of several issues such as: Who is responsible for the remaining debt on the home? How will the debt be repaid? What will happen to the house?” They may decide that one spouse may ‘become the sole owner’ of the property, or if neither of them wants the house, …they can attempt a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure. If one spouse will take over the property and the

mortgage, that spouse can then apply on their own for a modification or refinance.”

Most divorcing couples cannot communicate on the level needed to come to a compromise regarding the home and the mortgage on their own due to the deterioration of their marital relationship. As a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for one spouse to want the other “to get out of the house” and/or to accuse the other person of wanting to miss required mortgage payments to spite the other spouse intentionally. Thus, increasing the likelihood of foreclosure.

An experienced divorce attorney and real estate expert, such as Mr. Brian Figeroux, of Figeroux and Associates, can assist those going through a divorce who are also facing foreclosure. Missed mortgage payments and foreclosure can affect your credit history years after the divorce. So, know your rights and responsibilities. If you or someone you know is in the process of divorce and facing foreclosure, then it is a critical time to speak to a lawyer. Visit www.askthelawyer.us to get expert legal advice today. l

Four Ways a Real Estate Agent Can Help Ensure Your Home Sells for More Than Your Asking Price

BY EQUITY SMART REALTY INC

Most home sellers are thrilled to get the asking price they're looking for when putting their home up for sale, but many have not thought about the possibility of getting even more! If you're wondering what tricks of the trade your agent can use when it comes to getting a higher offer, you may want to have them test out some of the following tips.

Price It A Little Lower

It's generally said that you should price your home at market value so it will not linger on the market, but by having your real estate agent price it slightly lower you may be able to get a lot more people through the door. Instead of lowering the price of your home, this can work to stimulate a bidding war for those who see the value in your home and are willing to pay more.

Hold Off for the Right Offer

The benefit of using a real estate agent

is that they know the market and will be able to determine what amount the offer on your home should be, so make sure you consult with them before saying yes. It's easy to be tempted by the first good offer that's close to your asking price, but it's often worth it to hold out for the amount you really want.

Sell In the Springtime

It's possible to get a good price for your home at any time of the year, but Spring is the time that homebuyers like to hit the market and this means that you may have a lot more interested parties to choose from. Instead of waiting for buyers to come to you, put your home on the market when there will be a lot of people ready to invest.

Make It Unique

Whether you've recently made some renovations or

your home has several unique features, ensure that these details are being properly promoted in your marketing material and at your open house. Not only can these features add a lot of value to your home, they can make potential homebuyers remember it so they'll be willing to negotiate.

Most home sellers put their home on the market with the hope of getting a certain amount, but by highlighting unique features and holding out for a better offer you can get more than you asked for.

Guidance

If you're currently looking to sell your home, you may want to contact one of our real estate professionals for more information. Call 888-670-6791.p

Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights

Public Programs / continued from page 1

tive flow in tax contributions shows that immigrants will continue to play an outsized role in supporting public services like schools and safety net programs such as nutrition assistance programs and social security.

Analysis of the 2021 American Community Survey shows that immigrant-led households paid $524.7 billion in total taxes in 2021, a slight increase since 2019. This includes $346.3 billion in federal income taxes, and $178.4 billion in state and local taxes. These tax contributions made up 15.9% of total tax revenues governments received from U.S. residents in 2021, yet immigrants make up just 13.6% of U.S. households.

According to a recent Cato Institute white paper, over the next 30 years, immigrants will pay more in taxes than they will consume in benefits. Cato’s paper provides some valuable ideas for estimating the economic contributions of U.S. residents. Their methodology builds off a model created by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for their 2017

report The Economic and Fiscal Consequences of Immigration, which provides a framework for policymakers to understand the economic impacts of immigration. Importantly, Cato’s paper also notes that second generation immigrants tend to have a higher level of education than their parents.

The results of the Cato model indicate that the taxes paid (and earnings received), as well as benefits consumed by individual immigrants is highly dependent on the age of arrival and education. Accord-

ing to their estimates an individual with less than a highschool education who comes to the United States at age 25 will have a positive fiscal impact of $216,000 when not including their descendants, or $57,000 when including their descendants. On the other hand, a U.S.-born resident with less than a high-school education will have a net fiscal cost of $32,000, and when including their descendants, this increases to a fiscal cost of $177,000.

Age (immigrants are more likely to be of working age

than U.S.-born residents), increasing levels of education among recent arrivals, and lower use of government benefits are the three main drivers of immigrants’ positive fiscal impact.

While some rhetoric portrays immigrants quite differently, it is clear that immigrants are net contributors to these programs and the tax base at large, helping keep safety net programs accessible to those who need them. A recent report from the Social Security Board of Trustees found that the combined Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted by 2034. Because immigrants are more likely to be of working age, they are more likely to be key contributors to these programs in the coming years. In 2021, immigrants provided $177.0 billion to Social Security through tax contributions.

Additionally, a recent study found that immigrants’ contributions to Medicare helped prolong the solvency of the program and subsidized its care for roughly 60 million American seniors and disabled

individuals. A report from the Medicare Board of Trustees indicates that Medicare’s Hospital Insurance (HI) program will remain solvent through 2028. In 2028, the HI fund reserves will begin to be depleted. Immigrant tax contributions towards Medicare go a long way in helping reduce the deficit of funding. In 2021, immigrants contributed $48.3 billion in tax dollars to Medicare. Despite their contributions, immigrants are underrepresented as users of Medicare and Medicaid. Only 11.9% of users of these programs were foreignborn in 2021 despite the fact that immigrants are 13.6% of the overall population.

The Cato Institute white paper does not calculate the fiscal impact of undocumented immigrants, citing small sample sizes in CPS data. However, because undocumented immigrants have reduced eligibility for many benefits programs, their fiscal impact is almost certainly more positive than that of other groups.

Analysis of the American Community Survey shows

Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights

Immigrant Advocates Rally to Reject Adams Education Budget Cuts & Demand Investment in Immigrant Youth

New York, NY: On Thursday, April 13 the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), immigrant parents and students, educators and advocates rallied and held a press conference on the steps of Tweed Courthouse to demand that New York City create more equitable access to public schools for immigrant youth and families through two critical education programs, and rejected the Mayor’s proposed 3% cuts to the Department of Education (DOE) budget.

Advocates are calling for the City to make a $3 million investment to baseline comprehensive services for the six new English Language Learner (ELL) Transfer School Programs in Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn, and a $2.1 million investment in a pilot program giving newly-arrived high-

school-aged immigrant youth access to transfer schools in the outer boroughs; a $4 million investment in outreach, application and enrollment support for immigrant families of 3 and 4-year olds through the Linking Immigrant Families to Early Childhood Education (LIFE) Project; and a $75 million investment to hire additional social workers in schools to support the needs of newcomer asylum seekers.

“New York has a responsibility to provide equal access to education for all students, regardless of what language they speak, the amount of support they need to graduate, or their immigration status. We cannot afford to exclude an entire generation of young people who are eager to learn and contribute to our city’s shared thriving. I applaud the New York Immigration Coalition’s

hard work to fight for accessible ELL curriculum for all who need it,” said NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.

“New York City has some of the best public schools in the country, but far too many are inaccessible for our immigrant neighbors. Language and transit barriers have long held back immigrant students, but it’s time we change that,” said Immigration Committee Chair, Council Member Shahana Hanif. “This budget cycle, I’m

standing with the NYIC and their call for $3 million to invest in six new English Language Learner programs in schools across the five boroughs. Especially as more asylum seeker students enter our school system, this investment is critical to ensuring every student in our City has a chance to succeed.”

“Every young person in New York should receive a quality education as the foundation of building a successful life. Un-

fortunately, while the City estimates over 14,000 new asylum seeker youth have enrolled in our schools in the past year, the Adams administration is proposing slashing the Education budget again. We need to stop putting the futures of our children on the chopping block and start investing in our future workforce. Immigrant students deserve equal access to a quality education which begins with an investment in English Language Learner Transfer Schools, the LIFE Project, and other essential programs that will help newcomer youth thrive in New York. When we prioritize education for all New Yorkers, we can truly create the welcoming city that Mayor Adams keeps talking about,” said Andrea Ortiz, Senior Manager of Education

continued on page 14

Photo by Joe Swide via NYIC

Memorial Mass For Construction Workers Killed or Injured on Worksites During 2022 and Early 2023

Wednesday, May 3, 3:30 PM: All construction workers, their families, and friends are invited to join with the Building & Construction Trades, Union Leaders, Members and Management for a memorial Mass for construction workers killed or injured on worksites during 2022 and early 2023. Trades, wear your hardhats!

At Saint Patrick's Cathedral, 460 Madison Avenue, New York, NY (between 50th and 51st Streets). A Hardhat Procession into the Cathedral will begin at 3:30, with the Memorial Mass starting at 4PM. For more information, please con-

Falls in Construction/ continued from page 1

Public Programs / continued from page 12

The National Safety StandDown (May 1-5, 2023) raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries. Any workplace can hold a standdown by taking a break to focus on fall hazards and reinforcing the importance of fall prevention. Workplaces not exposed to falls can use this opportunity to have a conversation about other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for workers to raise their voices about potential falls and other job hazards they experience. p

that undocumented households contributed $31.1 billion in total taxes in 2021, including $18.9 billion in federal income taxes and $12.1 billion in state and local taxes.

Paying taxes is just one of many ways that immigrants contribute to U.S. society, though it has become particularly topical given the financial challenges many entitlements and public service programs are facing. Immigrants not only add cultural value to American communities but make valuable fiscal contributions that help ensure residents have access to fundamental programs such as Medicare, Social Security, and public education. p

Authors: Robin Lundh and Anna Shepperson

Education Cuts / continued from page 13

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Policy, New York Immigration Coalition.

“CIANA is proud to participate in the Education Collaborative and NYIC’s efforts to address the need for older immigrant youth to have access to a quality public school education. No matter which language they speak, or country they come from, newly arrived students should be able to attend a school near their home that is specifically designed for older ELLs, and one that provides the social/emotional support they need during this difficult time of transition. We stand by an investment in English Language Learner Transfer Schools, the LIFE Project, and other vital programs that promote the successful integration of New York City’s newcomer youth.” said Emira Habiby Browne, Founder & CEO, Center for the Integration & Advancement of New Americans, Inc. (CIANA).p

Read more at www.askthelawyer.us

tact: Father Brian Jordan (917) 566-5214 or Linda Camacho, BCTC (212) 647-0700, ext 2.p

Photo courtesy : AFL-CIO

New York City Workers to Receive First Raise Since COVID-19

NEW YORK: Tens of thousands of people who work for New York City will soon get their first raise since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the city’s largest municipal employee union –AFSCME District Council 37 –voted 97.7% in favor of the citywide economic contract. In addition to the much-needed raise, the agreement increases the minimum rate for city jobs to $18 per hour, preserves premium-free health care benefits and establishes flexible work policies across agencies, including remote work.

“We thank our members for showing their confidence in this union,” Henry Garrido, DC 37’s executive director and an AFSCME vice president, said in a statement last week. “These were the most difficult

negotiations we’ve experienced in decades, and we fought hard to secure a contract that provides fair compensation for city workers and support for the new challenges they face on the job and at home.”

Nearly 46,000 District Council 37 members participated in the ratification vote. The city-

wide contract covers approximately 90,000 DC 37 members. The agreement is retroactive to May 26, 2021, and lasts until Nov. 6, 2026.

Highlights:

•Five compounded pay increases for a total of 16.21%;

•Retroactive pay to the first date of the agreement;

•A $3,000 ratification bonus;

•A Flexible Work Committee to develop policies that guide remote work, compressed schedules and expanded transit benefits;

•A Child Care Trust Fund to provide assistance for members’ child care expenses; and a Pandemic Response Joint Committee to improve the city’s response to COVID-19 or any future communicable disease outbreaks. p

New Starbucks CEO Gets a Powerful Welcome Message: No More Union Busting

More than 40 progressive organizations, including the AFLCIO, Sierra Club, Women’s March, and GreenPeace, have voiced their support for unionizing Starbucks workers in a letter to the company’s new CEO, Laxman Narasimhan. That letter, published Tuesday, urges Narasimhan to “create and build a healthy working relationship with unionized partners” rather than “continuing on the current path Starbucks has taken,” which has involved union-busting practices that have earned the company multiple violations of federal labor law.

“As our nation’s leading advocacy, environmental, civil

rights, gender justice, and labor organizations, who represent nearly 62 million members and supporters, we stand by workers exercising their fundamental and constitutional right to form a union,” the letter reads. “Unions are good for workers, businesses, our economy, and our democracy.”

The letter coincided with a Global Starbucks Union Day of Action, in which Starbucks Workers United, Workers United, SEIU 32 BJ, and other organizations sent 1 million messages to the coffee company in support of union workers. More than 296 Starbucks stores, covering more than 7,500 workers, have voted to unionize.p

Henry Garrido, DC 37’s Executive Director Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Working In Isolation Can Pose Mental Health Challenges – Here’s What Anyone Can Learn from How Gig Workers Have Adapted

In the wake of the pandemic, it is clear that remote work is here to stay. It seems every week there are more news stories about workers preferring to work remotely, or companies closing physical office spaces.

This shift has employees and managers navigating new workplace challenges, not least of which is mental health concerns from working in isolation.

Now more than ever, there is much to be gained by learning from the lived experiences of gig workers – anyone working independently on a “gig-togig” basis. Many have experienced and experimented with managing a form of radical agency, flexibility and autonomy in an environment where working in isolation was a norm long before it became a

more global reality. We are a team of management professors at Indiana University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, McMaster University and the University of Michigan. Drawing on our own research on gig work, as well as that of others studying the gig economy, we can identify some of the challenges of working in isolation, and offer some practical advice on how to address them.

The emotional costs of isolated work

Gig work comes with some upsides, like being one’s own boss or setting one’s own schedule. However, the isolation typical of gig work can also take an emotional toll. Gig workers often feel lonely and anxious because they lack easy access to relationships or membership in an organization.

In preliminary research done for her dissertation, one of us, Brittany Lambert, has found

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that this anxiety can rise to clinically significant levels. In this research, 47 gig workers in highly skilled professions provided a total of 1,287 responses to daily surveys about their work experiences and mental health. Initial findings revealed that on average, they experienced heightened levels of anxiety for more than half of the 10-day study.

Some degree of worrying is healthy – it can even support productivity. However, higher levels of persistent anxiety can also be disruptive. As workers drain their resources and energy to manage both the chronic anxiety stemming from their working conditions and the daily demands of their job, they may be more likely to burn out.

Additionally, research into the isolation of gig work has shown that working this way has implications for professional development. Gig workers can often lack access to social resources that help traditional workers do their jobs and advance their careers, like feedback, new ideas, knowledge and even emotional support.

While these obstacles may still be fresh to newly remote employees, many gig workers have learned to flourish in the face of these challenges. In fact, Lambert’s dissertation suggests that the autonomy in this type of work – working by yourself and choosing how, when and where to work –may be both anxiety provoking and anxiety reducing (protective to mental health). So, how do gig workers equip themselves to thrive in work environments that isolate them from their colleagues? Research suggests some answers.

Cultivate community

One way to break the isolation of working alone is to intentionally craft a support system.

Emerging research on gig workers’ social lives suggests it is possible to build a thriving social community even when work does not come with builtin relationships. Instead, gig workers must be proactive and resourceful in pursuing and deepening these connections.

For instance, more and more

gig work communities are popping up in various cities, facilitated by online forums, writers associations and coworking spaces. These groups can provide a sense of belonging to a larger community.

Another way gig workers creatively cultivate relationships is by routinely working in the same public place — a “third place” like a coffee shop. Research findings suggest that gig workers fare better when they proactively seek out and foster the meaningful relationships shown to support thriving and managing difficult emotions, like anxiety, at work.

Break negative thought patterns

Rumination is a repetitive pattern of negative thinking in which people fixate on their problems and shortcomings rather than remembering achievements or thinking up potential solutions.

When isolated workers feel lonely and anxious, they are more likely to ruminate. For example, the combination of gig work stressors, from financial instability to chronic isolation, may promote ruminative thought patterns such as, “I didn’t finish this client work today – that means I’m not good at my job or cut out to succeed in this type of work.”

Breaking this cycle of unhelpful thinking can reduce anxiety and increase engagement at work.

There are many evidencebased tools and practices that can help people become aware of and engage with ruminative thoughts in more helpful and effective ways. These include mindfulness techniques, journaling and reflection, and many forms of psychotherapy.

A reflection exercise

The next time you notice feeling down, anxious or stuck ruminating, here is one simple exercise created by clinical psychologist Natasha Hansen of Indiana University to shift those feelings and thoughts. Pause and ask yourself the following four questions, writing down your responses and reflecting on each one as you go:

•What was I just thinking?

•Is that thought true – what is the evidence for the thought, and is there any evidence against the thought?

•Is that thought helpful – does it move me in the direction of the things that are important to me?

•Is there something else I could tell myself that would be both more true and more effective in moving me in the direction of my goals?

Take another minute to reflect on what you wrote down in Step 4. How does it make you feel? What does it prompt you to do in comparison with the thought you wrote down in Step 1?

Doing this sort of exercise regularly can help isolated gig workers manage their mental health. Much in the same way that athletes build muscle memory when they train, the more workers of all kinds practice catching and shifting unhelpful thought patterns, the more habitual effective thinking becomes.

In sum, we believe that understanding where gig workers struggle and what they do to effectively manage these challenges can help all of us as we try to navigate a future of work where “going to work” often means being alone. p

Read more stories at www.workersworldtoday.com

BRITTANY LAMBERT, BRIANNA BARKER CAZA, ERIN REID & SUSAN ASHFORD THE CONVERSATION

Coffee shops can be a “third space” – not home or the office – where remote or gig workers can go to feel less isolated.

Sex, Love and Companionship … With AI? Why Human-machine Relationships Could Go Mainstream

BY MARCO DEHNERT & JORIS VAN OUYTSEL THE CONVERSATION

There was once a stigma attached to online dating: Less than a decade ago, many couples who had met online would make up stories for how they met rather than admit that they had done so via an app.

Not so anymore. Online dating is so mainstream that you’re an outlier if you haven’t met your partner on Tinder, Grindr or Hinge.

We bring up online dating to show just how quickly conventions around romance can change. With rapid advances in AI technology over the past few years, these norms may well evolve to include sex, love and friendships with AIequipped machines.

In our research, we look at how people use technology to

form and maintain relationships. But we also look at how people bond with machines –AI-equipped systems like Replika that essentially operate as advanced chatbots, along with physical robots like RealDollx or Sex Doll Genie.

We explore the different forms of sex, love and friendships that people can experience with AI-equipped machines, along with what drives people to forge these relationships in the first place –and why they might become much more common sooner than you’d think.

More than just a cure for loneliness

A common misconception is that people who are lonely and otherwise unsuccessful in relationships are the most likely to turn to AI-equipped machines for romantic and sexual fulfillment.

However, initial research shows that users of this technology differ in only small ways from nonusers, and there is no significant connection between feelings of loneliness and a preference for sex robots. Someone’s willingness to use sex robots is also less influenced by their personality and

seems to be tied to sexual preferences and sensation seeking.

In other words, it seems that some people are considering the use of sex robots mainly because they want to have new sexual experiences.

However, an enthusiasm for novelty is not the only driver.

Studies show that people find

many uses for sexual and romantic machines outside of sex and romance. They can serve as companions or therapists, or as a hobby.

In short, people are drawn to AI-equipped machines for a range of reasons. Many of them resemble the reasons people seek out relationships with other humans. But researchers are only beginning to understand how relationships with machines might differ from connecting with other people.

Relationships 5.0

Many researchers have voiced ethical concerns about the potential effects of machine companionship. They are concerned that the more that people turn to machine companions, the more they’ll lose touch with other humans – yet continued on page 19

The California-based startup Replika has programmed chatbots to serve as companions. Editorial credit: T. Schneider / Shutterstock.com

Sex, Love and Companionship/ continued

from page 18

another shift toward an existence of being “alone together,” to use sociologist Sherry Turkle’s term.

Despite this apprehension, there is surprisingly little research that examines the effects of machine partners. We know quite a bit about how technology, in general, affects people in relationships, such as the benefits and harms of sexting among young adults, and the ways in which online dating platforms influence the long-term success of relationships.

Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of AI partners is a bit more complicated.

We are now in an age of what sociologist Elyakim Kislev calls “relationships 5.0” in which we are “moving from technologies used as tools controlling human surroundings and work to technologies that are our ecosystem in and of themselves.”

Therapeutic value is often mentioned as one benefit of ro-

mantic and sexual AI systems. One study discussed how sex robots for elderly or disabled folks could empower them to explore their sexuality, while almost half of physicians and therapists surveyed in another study could see themselves recommending sex robots in therapy. Robots could also be used in therapy with sexual offenders. But very limited research exists on these uses,

which raise a range of ethical questions.

We also have very little knowledge about how humanto-robot relationships compare with human-to-human relationships. However, some of our early research suggests that people get just about the same gratification from sexting with a chatbot as they do with another human.

According to theories about

how sexual relationships with artificial partners would work, one of the many factors that could affect the quality of the interactions – and, ultimately, the wider adoption of relationships with robots and AI chatbots – is the associated stigma. While women are the main purchasers of sex toys – and their use has become a generally accepted practice – people who use what’s called “sextech,” or technology designed to enhance or improve human sexual experiences, are still stigmatized socially. That stigma is even stronger for romantic AI systems or sex robots.

Will you be my v-AI-lentine?

As we have seen with dating apps, technological advancements in the context of relationships initially face skepticism and disagreement. However, there’s no question that people seem capable of forming deep attachments with AI systems.

Take the app Replika. It’s been marketed as the “AI companion who cares” – a virtual

boyfriend or girlfriend that promises to engage users in deeply personal conversations, including sexting and dirty talk.

In February, the Italian Data Protection Authority ordered that the app stop processing Italian users’ data. As a result, the developers changed how Replika interacts with its users – and some of these users went on to express feelings of grief, loss and heartbreak, not unlike the emotions felt after a breakup with a human partner. Legislators are still figuring out how to regulate sex and love with machines. But if we have learned anything about the ways in which technology has already become integrated into our relationships, it is likely that sexual and romantic relationships with AIequipped systems and robots will become more common in the not-so-distant future. p

Marco Dehnert is a PhD Candidate in Communication, Arizona State University. Joris Van Ouytsel is an Assistant Professor of Interpersonal Communication, Arizona State University.

Hokkaido, Japan - October 18, 2017: Softbank's Pepper Robot in Sapporo. It is a humanoid robot named Pepper, which is claimed can identify human emotions and respond to them.

Editorial credit: BoonritP / Shutterstock.com

The Fight for Reproductive Justice: Pass the Women’s Health Protection Act Now

It has been almost a year since the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the historic Roe v. Wade decision that provided a constitutional right to abortion. Since the Court’s decision last June, the impact of abortion restrictions and bans has been felt across the spectrum of race, class, and gender identity. Today, more than 20 percent of Americans reside in states where abortion is now illegal, which further endangers the health and well-being of all birthing people. People of color in particular continue to bear the brunt of the harm caused by the lack of protection of sexual and reproductive health rights. Post-Dobbs,

5.8 million Black women (56.7 percent) of reproductive age in the United States now face new barriers to abortion access.

Millions of people continue to face barriers to accessible and equitable reproductive health care and are criminalized for making decisions about their own bodies. Just last week, a federal judge in Texas issued an extreme and unfounded decision to suspend FDA approval of mifepristone, a safe and effective drug commonly used in medication abortion. If the decision is allowed to stand, it will eliminate access to this medication even in states where abortion is legal.

Now more than ever, it is crucial to codify a federal right to abortion. On March 30, Representative Judy Chu (D.

Calif.), along with more than 200 original cosponsors, introduced H.R. 12, the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA). The bill is also supported by 101 civil and human rights groups, who wrote to lawmakers this week in a letter urging passage of this important reproductive rights legis-

lation. WHPA would codify the right for patients to choose abortion and receive related health care. If passed, the legislation would promote access to abortion services, protect the right to choice and bodily autonomy, and eliminate barriers to health care access related to travel and commerce.

Since Roe, politicians have taken advantage of power to create more restrictions on abortion and reproductive health care, especially for communities of color and low-income people. It’s important to recognize that the Roe decision had shortcomings, including a lack of clarity around abortion regulation and a narrow focus on the right to choose. Additional restrictions like the Hyde Amendment, which bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortion, created additional barriers to abortion care for low-income people. WHPA is an important step toward reproductive justice for all people, and additional protections, such as those contained in the EACH Act, are needed to ensure that the right to access abortion is not lim-

continued on page 21

Editorial credit: Rena Schild / Shutterstock.com

ited by economic status, race, gender identity, or sexuality. Lack of abortion and reproductive health care access, and oppressive restrictions on women’s bodily autonomy, perpetuate systemic discrimination against people of color. To that end, the House bill includes a findings section that addresses the importance of reproductive justice: Reproductive justice requires every individual to have the right to make their own decisions about having children regardless of their circumstances and without interference and discrimination. Reproductive justice is a human right that can and will be achieved when all people, regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status, sex (including gender identity, sex stereotyping, or sexual orientation), age, or disability status have the economic, social, and political power and resources to define and make decisions about their bodies, health, sexuality, families, and communities in all

areas of their lives, with dignity and self-determination.

Reproductive justice is a movement and human rights framework created by Black women that acknowledges the systems of historic oppression that create daily barriers for people of color and low-income people in accessing abortion and reproductive health care. It also recognizes the intersectional issues that contribute to the lived experiences of Black women. For instance, Black women are more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth than White women and have a higher rate of unintended pregnancies — across socioeconomic status and level of educational attainment. The reproductive justice frame-

work contextualizes social determinants of health that impact BIPOC women — these groups have more limited access to health care, including contraception and other sexual health services that are important for pregnancy planning. Across the board, Black women are disproportionately criminalized and arrested and suffer more miscarriages and stillbirths than other ethnic groups. Disparities in health care access and health factors, coupled with the historic criminalization and state control of Black and Brown women and their bodies, continue a violent legacy of inequality that must be put to an end.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-

tion (CDC), many of the states with the harshest abortion bans also have some of the highest rates of Black maternal death, child poverty, and infant mortality. By advocating for the right to bodily autonomy and choice, WHPA works to address the spectrum of harms that are experienced by people who have historically faced intersectional struggles and interconnected oppressions, such as white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and heteronormativity.

Regardless of a person’s race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, access to safe and equitable reproductive health care services, including abortion care, must be available to all. WHPA is a step toward addressing some of these systemic barriers, especially those that have existed even with the protections of Roe v. Wade, and will help to provide individuals with the autonomy to make informed decisions about their bodies and their lives.

The Women’s Health Protection Act is a long-overdue federal recognition of the right to access abortion. And we can-

not afford to wait any longer. For too long, people across the spectrum of intersectional identities have faced countless barriers to abortion access and control over the health of their own bodies on their own terms. This legislation works toward a future where the right to access abortion is a reality for all people.

To join the fight to codify a federal right to abortion, urge your members of Congress to show their strong support for the Women’s Health Protection Act and to call for its immediate passage. We are counting on our elected officials to pass this important legislation as we continue to work toward a future free from violence and state control of birthing people and their bodies. Congress must pass WHPA and continue to push for other federal legislation that will ensure that all people have access to the health care they need and deserve. p

Danielle Mangabat is a spring 2023 undergraduate intern at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

NYC DOT to Kick Off Open Street Season With Largest Ever Celebration Of Open Streets: Car Free Earth Day

New York: New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez was joined today in Times Square by community partners, advocates, and elected officials to announce programming for the largest-ever celebration of Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day – an annual event hosted by NYC DOT to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability, and more sustainable modes of transportation. This year’s celebration, to be held on Saturday, April 22nd, will include seven signature event locations and 23 community produced locations featuring programming that includes performances, fitness trainings, giveaways, and educa-

tional activities.

“Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day is about encouraging New Yorkers to leave their vehicles at home and enjoying our city’s parks, plazas, and expanded network of Open Streets,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “This celebration offers an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy ac-

tivities at dozens of locations in communities around New York City. It also serves as a reminder that we only have one planet — and we must all do our part to reduce our carbon footprint and pay homage to the one beautiful planet we have.”

Through the support of Lyft, on Open Streets: Car-Free

Earth Day, Citi Bike will offer unlimited 30-minute rides on a classic Citi Bike for 24 hours. Riders can take advantage of the offer by using the promo code CARFREE23 in the Citi Bike app.

First launched in 2016, Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day originally converted select Manhattan streets into public plazas and car-free streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and local businesses. The event has since expanded to include 30 locations located throughout the five boroughs, connecting over 80 open streets, plazas, and accessing over 1,000 miles of New York City’s bike network.

Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day kicks off NYC DOT’s 2023 Open Streets and Public Space Programming season.

In 2023, NYC DOT is excited to work alongside community partners to execute Open Streets and programming in all five boroughs. The first set of 2023 Open Streets and Public Space Programming events will be announced on Earth Day, with more sites and events to be announced later in the year. This season includes support for partners through the Public Space Equity Program, more formal infrastructure reflecting Open Street operations (e.g. parking regulation changes), and permanent changes to the streetscape at successful Open Streets sites.

Signature event locations and the additional 23 community-organized locations can be found at nyc.gov/carfreenycp