Ive spoke about this several times before but I had about 35 of my 70 something guys in my program working the racetrack. I get a call saying that some shyt happened at the track and raceday was gonna be cancelled. About 20min later I get a call from a guy up in Humboldt Park (historically latin neighborhood) that Ive worked with before. They work exclusively with illegal immigrants He says "Hey man, you ever work with these guys at the track? I just got a call that they need about 30 guys for Saturday but I dont know if its legit or not." I said "Wow, yeah man. Ive had a program set up with them for about a year now. They actually just called to tell me that the race was cancelled so not to send my guys." He says "Oh wow. They just called me asking for men." I asked him how much did they say they were gonna pay his guys and he said it was about $14/hr. I told him that my guys have been going there for awhile at $17/hr. We both just sat on the phone quietly for a brief moment understanding what just happened. I said "Anyways, yeah man. The checks clear and the men like the work so they are legit in that regard." and I hung up. Lost a couple guys that weekend. One in the wind and two locked up trying to hit a lick.
Ive had young black men come in and bawling about how theyre trying hard to get or keep steady work and scared that theyll have to go out and rob somebody or do a home invasion. Risking their life, victimizing another's just to have a transit card, a couple days of food and a cell phone bill paid. Ive had guys that would kill someone to get that job as custodian at Burger King. Me coming to work in my BMW or my 2019 SS in my 3piece suit doesnt do anything to help my guys turn shyt around. Like I told dude, Just cause I'm good don't mean WE good.