CAFECITOS at FOUR MONTHS

Cafecitos participants

Source: Michael Siciliano, PhD
BSP Workforce Researcher 

Overview:

After nearly 6 months of Cafecitos, workers appear more empowered and comfortable voicing their experiences and opinions - a key goal for BSP’s System Change and Work Voice initiatives.

At the same time, qualitative data from these meetings paint a deeply concerning picture of a community struggling with economic instability, housing insecurity, access to physical and mental healthcare, and feelings of disenfranchisement.

Still, some express a deep commitment to political participation — even if they may not be eligible to vote (e.g., speaking to others in their community about the importance of voting).

In the Cafecitos, workers express deep distrust of institutions and the government alongside feeling exploited by their employers. The former appears rooted in both their experiences in their countries of origin and the current political climate in the US in which openly expressed racism and anti-immigrant sentiment continues to rise. Many also describe struggles around mental and physical health as well as being subject to violence in their communities or at home.

Key issues arising in nearly all monthly meetings:

• Mental health

• Struggles with stress and depression

• Stigma associated with seeking mental healthcare

• Distrust of Political Institutions

• Feelings of disenfranchisement

• E.g., “Latinx votes do not count”

• Skepticism of politicians due to potential corruption

• Most often among those who experienced widespread corruption in their country of origin.

• Feeling exploited and disempowered at work

• General and Digital Literacy 

• Challenges in understanding political propositions, politicians’ platforms, and the voting process. 

• Challenges accessing services (e.g., healthcare) due to general and digital literacy.

• Citizens’ disinterest in political participation

• Members suggested that their children and US-born community members either lack interest in political participation or tend to support right-wing candidates, many of whom tend to support anti-immigrant and anti-labor policies. 

• Violence

• Members struggle with direct experiences of violence, such as domestic violence or threats from law enforcement within their communities.

Key values held by members

• Family

• Caring for family, especially children

• Retaining / maintaining culture and traditions

• Education

• Especially providing education opportunities for their children

• Independence

• Especially with regard to emigrating in order to escape domestic abuse or otherwise dangerous conditions in their country of origin.