Kesanet Aregawi…
“I think this will help young people because rent and stuff is already going up and I think it will make it a lot easier to rent an apartment, actually live and buy food and stuff. So with it going up I believe it’s a positive thing.”
Jamal St Maurice…
“I believe is not the wages that are being distributed, the problem is inflation right now especially in Seattle. We’re making more money but at the same time rent is going up higher than the amount we are getting. With youth most likely starting at a minimum wage job the economy of the city is the reason they are raising it, because the economy is going up. I believe in more job opportunities, more education, more hiring within our own community, is what’s really going to help young people as well. I’m 40 and when I was in my 20s it was the same, what I was making maybe ten dollars was still relative to inflation. They’re hiring people from oversees and there is a lot of talent here in our colleges and universities that would help as well.”
Eli Brown…
“The minimum wage is only going to be a small bit of help, the rent and the prices of food in this area, the rent for a one bedroom apartment is twelve hundred dollars, sixteen hundred dollars for a single person, minimum wage will not get them out of the hole they may find themselves in. You’re going to need two people in that household just to make ends meet. But, it’s better than it was before so it has to help as well. And maybe you can move out of here, somewhere where the rent is lower but you’re still going to have worry about your commute, it’s a tricky game.”
Emery Rwigamba…
“Yeah, I do believe if have little money, the rates are getting high, things are getting crazy so if you get a low minimum the more problems you will have paying for things like school fees, tuition. So, if I get sixteen and more hours, that’s got to be somehow good for me? I get to pay my rent, I’m going to pay my tuition that is what I think.”
Jenae Lewis…
“I think the minimum wage going up to sixteen dollars would be helpful, but also it will hinder young people because of the fact that when minimum wages go up the price of everything else goes up with it. So, even though we’ll get that extra dollar, everything else will be more expensive. So in essence it really doesn’t help us.”
Rodrell Hobbs…
“In regards to the minimum wage I believe in terms of innovation and creativity it’s going to disseminate out within young people if their on a path whether through education or improvement through the workforce, it will be extremely beneficial. The reason being is because Seattle, it’s a privilege for everyone to be here, it would insure greater success if people were inspired knowing that whether on campus or off campus their needs were met.”
Photos/Aaron Allen
