I was awarded a commendation by the Salt Lake County Health Department recently for “Excellence in COVID Response.” My Rose Park school servicing adult immigrants collaborated to host vaccine clinics and Q&A sessions in English and Spanish throughout last year. Humbly, I did not play a small role in that collaboration. Unfortunately, I could not attend the reception or medal presentation; I was at my South Salt Lake school teaching adult refugee populations English. These are just two of the six jobs I have to maintain seasonally in order to practice my vocation in education and community work while attempting to flourish in Salt Lake City.
I’m grateful that I can participate in many labors of love. It is also deeply gratifying to be recognized for that work, but this is a bittersweet moment for me. I’m moving to New York City next week — where I will have a union and a rent-controlled apartment much more affordable than anything I’ve been able to find here over recent years.
I know I’m not unique in the struggle for housing, especially. However, I’m writing today to note that Salt Lake City and Utah leadership’s lack of care for their communities is palpable, heartbreaking even. I’ve watched educators, community workers and public servants pushed farther and farther out because of the explosion in home and rental prices, combined with stagnant wages, over a few short years. We’re being driven away by a dearth of protections, especially regarding fair wages for “women’s work” and affordable housing options. The cynic in me wants to say it’s because the majority of Utah leadership (state and municipal) is patriarchal and profits personally from real estate industries. The teacher in me wants to say that they need more information and education. Whatever the reason – they’ve clearly failed.
Elizabeth Totterer, Salt Lake City
