By Nigel Duara, Cal Matters, May 29, 2020
Edson Romero maneuvers his black Cadillac Escalade under the early afternoon sun onto Highway 101 in Los Angeles. Behind him is the Boyle Heights home he shares with three siblings. Up ahead is Echo Park, and the job he’s held since the recovery from the last economic crash, back in 2011. He’s dressed in his work uniform: blue jean shorts, running shoes and a black shirt emblazoned with “Sage Plant Based Bistro” in yellow-green lettering.
Romero, 34, needs $3,000 by June 1. His share of rent is $1,700, and he also has to come up with money for alimony and child support, groceries and food for his two bulldogs, Churro and Concha.
Romero was an immigrant success story, a man born in Mexico who forged his own life on this side of the border. He married an American, became a citizen, got a job as a dishwasher, brought his family members up to Los Angeles one at a time and sent money back to his parents. He worked his way up to the position of server in what was a thriving vegan restaurant.
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