Written by: Emily Ortega, Staff Writer
FRIEND OR FOE: A unique perspective on a modern tech icon.
Elon Musk and Tesla electric cars, two topics that notoriously took the world by storm. Whether it comes to the controversy surrounding Musk and his cannabis using habits, or the argument on whether or not electric cars are actually doing more harm or good to the environment; there’s no doubt this worshiped car “messiah” has gone through a slew of controversies. However, the topic that hasn’t been discussed enough is the working conditions and the experiences of actual workers. Commonly overlooked for most companies and corporations as a whole. Although for Tesla, this neglect and over-exacerbation of his workers is beyond overlooked.
Take into account the experience of Richard Ortiz, a worker for Tesla since 2015 who retells that “We were there to make him famous, but what were we? We were disposable to him”. According to a video documentary posted by “A More Perfect Union” titled I Was Illegally Fired By Elon Musk Richard Ortiz retells “12 to 16 hours everyday”. Think about this situation. Being worked 16 hours a day, no questions asked 6 days a week. Being told to perform multiple jobs at the same time with no safety precautions even being taken into consideration. Ortiz and many others report that even after communicating their concerns, nothing but a note was written and not a thing changed. These exploits not only did not change, in some ways they became even worse according to Dennis Duran, another employee. Duran recalls that “Basically everyone would cut their arms and hands, people would bleed off the line and have to run to the bathroom. So it would be a man down. Then a second person down. I would have to stop the line and management would come over and say ‘why did he cut his hand, switch him out with someone else‘”. Terror and exploitation ran the Tesla factories. Musk never gave any care to the people that carried his empire. Workers tried to voice their concerns, and even assembled to create a union. Yet one by one they were fired, leaving only those “strong” enough to endure the maltreatment.
Elon Musk has managed to keep the world enthralled in his various “innovations” and “bright” ideas. However, the people who follow and bow down to this electric car savior assuredly need to grasp that it is all a grotesque act for power and fame. And currently, it’s working. Elon Musk’s cult following, although deceptive, understands his impact on the world, a contribution to the environment and overcoming overall ethical dilemmas in his way of thinking and working. Many followers however are inspired to do more. To work better than him. Musk is a multi-billion dollar entrepreneur after all who is an inspiration to many people; though, the path he paved himself was successful, he has caused revolutionary destruction.