A Day In San Jose On Minimum Wage
Photographer Jean Melesaine follows 21 Year old Alex "Merc" Matua, a young father who tells De-Bug why that extra two dollars proposed to voters in this years ballot (Measure D) would change his life.
In San Jose, Measure D, to be voted on this coming election, would raise minimum wage from eight dollars to ten dollars an hour. San Jose native, 21-year-old Merc Matua, a young struggling father who through working two minimum wage jobs says, "I'm barely skating by." Currently in transition of moving to a new home because the rent was too high, Merc says, "How can anyone pay for even low rent housing with minimum wage stuck at 8?"
7 month old Deandre spends time with his father before Merc goes to work.
"My son is good, he's okay. I don't care how bummy I look, I sacrifice everything for him."
"It's not easy, I can't even afford to buy clothes for an interview."
"I'm working a lot, so when I'm off, I try to spend as much time as I can with him."
An aspiring music producer, Merc hopes to return to college when Deandre turns one.
"I just wished those in charge would put themselves in my position, and I mean from the start. With no transportation to an interview, no clothes for an interview, and still able to get two jobs. Nobody should have to live like this in San Jose, if they work so hard."
This photo essay was originally published in Silicon Valley De-Bug.
Jean Melesaine is a videographer and photographer for Silicon Valley De-Bug.
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