The coronavirus pandemic sparked the idea of βessential workersββthose whose jobs were so crucial to the ongoing functioning of the economy and of our collective well-being that they were exempt from quarantine rules. Sadly, essential workersβlike the custodians who ensure that work spaces are regularly cleaned and maintainedβhave also long been exempted from equitable pay, a strong enforcement of health and safety standards, and the dignity they deserve. Disproportionately low-income immigrants and people of color, custodial workersβ rights are a matter of racial justice, as Evalynn Romano, the daughter of University of Washington custodians, outlines in her analysis. This photo essay captures the hard work and dignity of UW custodians.
Time for Vacuuming, 2020. βI like to take the picture so you can see the way I do the vacuum. Using the mask, the gloves, and doing my job. Itβs happy too, because when Iβm vacuuming, no tired at all because β¦ Iβm singing. Iβm praising the Lord when Iβm working.β βA.R. Photo courtesy of A.R.
Iβm So Proud To Be a Custodian, 2020. βYou know what, honestly, Iβm so proud to be a custodian. And I really like it. Iβm trying to show that Iβm a custodian. And Iβm so proud. Iβm trying to do my best that Iβm doing my job. All my PPE, all I need is [in my cart], and everything is complete.β βL.R. Photo courtesy of L.R.
Heβs Doing the Right Thing, 2020. βYesterday, we have run and team group. Itβs just like [when] somebody is not here and we have to [clean their areas] β¦ we call it run. We have to do it, because thatβs a part of our job. To make it clean all the time and safe and healthy.β βL.R. Photo courtesy of L.R.
Happy Clients Make Custodians Smile, 2020. βShe wanted to let me know that the department is pleased with all of my hard work in keeping them safe during this pandemic. She also mentioned to me that my smile every day is so contagious.β βShirley H. Photo courtesy of Shirley H.
Tribal Connection, 2020. βNative American influence to live and stay strong. Walk tall among the trees, stay proud and tall, and be known by the tracks you leave.β βKristine Paul Photo courtesy of Kristine Paul.
Bonding, 2020. βThatβs my kids, and thatβs their dog, Ako. They move on and theyβre happy now. They are wearing the mask. Itβs just like dog is like a medicine. And they move on.β βL.R. Photo courtesy of L.R.
Concentrate, 2020. βThey are so nice. They are concentrating, about to log in their phone their time. I take that picture to β¦ always remind me how to do β¦ the time for login. Related to my health is the distancing. And we wear mask too.β βA.R. Photo courtesy of A.R.
Leadership, 2020. βThatβs like our leadership over there. Every day, I see [my co-worker] and me. Anything talking about funny things. You gotta have somebody around, especially in the work, because itβs hard to be doing by yourself.β βSerafin Divina Photo courtesy of Serafin Divina.
Cleaning, 2020. βI was working in [UWβs] Paul Allen [Center]. I do like 10 refrigerator clean[ings] in one day. I just did that for like 25 minutes cleaning. Thatβs all you can do; wipe it down, turn it off the [re]frigerator, and the wings. I enjoy working, believe me. Iβm not perfect, but itβs good. I mean, excellent.β βSerafin Divina Photo courtesy of Serafin Divina.
My Yellow Shield, 2020. βTo avoid from having COVID. This yellow shield will represent you who you are. Lalo lalo na sa mga estudyante na nag-aaral sa building. [Especially for the students who study in the building.] Yes, not only myself, for everybody.β βR.R. Photo courtesy of R.R.
Window Door, 2020. βSqueezer. She clean the window [of the] door. Because thatβs our job. I like it, to clean. Iβm very happy. Thatβs my job.β βMihret Dessu Photo courtesy of Mihret Dessu.
T3 Machine, 2020. βEight or so years ago, we donβt have this β¦ we use mop, wet mop. Wet mop is very hard. We use this one, T3 machine. I like it. Big help for me.β βMihret Dessu Photo courtesy of Mihret Dessu.
Blower, 2020. βElsa is hard worker. She blowing outside. Because when you blow outside, the inside [of the building] keep clean. Safe for inside, thatβs why I like it.β βR.M. Photo courtesy of R.M.
Looks Good Garden, 2020. βOrganic, itβs good for your health. When you do it, it makes you happy. Itβs more work, but it makes you happy. Tomatoes and zucchini at my house.β βAmaresh Teklehaimanot Photo courtesy of Amaresh Teklehaimanot.
Small Table for the Coffee, 2020. βThe weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I sit there, I make coffee. My husband, he sit next to me. Even my friends sit next to me. You know, talking each other β¦ just enjoy life. Enjoy. Thatβs coffee. Coffee is health! You know, we have energy.β βW.T. Photo courtesy of W.T.
For Memory, 2020. βI am eat [at the mall], with a flower. Thatβs why I do it. My body relax is good. Sometimes, Iβm off Saturday, Sunday. And boring [at] the house. [My son says,] βOK, go mama,β with the little bit of walk.β βLeteberhan Zewdie Photo courtesy of Leteberhan Zewdie .
Baskets, 2020. βThat particular basket is on the side of his auntie and uncleβs house β¦ we donβt play the game as much, but Iβll take time to shoot baskets or have my son shoot baskets, and that gives us some physical activity and something that we do together. As β¦ son and father, you know.β βT.W. Photo courtesy of T.W.
Empty Seat, Empty Heart, 2020. βI took a picture of my empty heart while watching an empty bus caused by a pandemic.β βB.H. Photo courtesy of B.H.
Will Be Back to Normal?, 2020. Photo courtesy of B.H.
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Sonali Kolhatkar
joined Πή³΅΄σΆΣ in summer 2021, building on a long and decorated career in broadcast and print journalism. She is an award-winning multimedia journalist, and host and creator ofΒ Πή³΅΄σΆΣ Presents: Rising Up with Sonali, a nationally syndicated television and radio program airing on Free Speech TV and dozens of independent and community radio stations. She is also Senior Correspondent with the Independent Media Instituteβs Economy for All project where she writes a weekly column. She is the author ofΒ Rising Up: The Power of Narrative in Pursuing Racial JusticeΒ (2023) andΒ Bleeding Afghanistan: Washington, Warlords, and the Propaganda of SilenceΒ (2005). Her forthcoming book is calledΒ Talking About AbolitionΒ (Seven Stories Press, 2025). Sonali is co-director of the nonprofit group, Afghan Womenβs Mission which she helped to co-found in 2000. She has a Masterβs in Astronomy from the University of Hawaiβi, and two undergraduate degrees in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin. Sonali reflects on βMy Journey From Astrophysicist to Radio Hostβ in her 2014Β TEDx talkΒ of the same name.
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Evalynn Fae Taganna Romano
is a proud daughter of University of Washington (UW) custodians, a public health researcher serving communities of color, a mental health clinician for survivors of violence and traumatic loss, and a strong advocate for custodial worker rights. Since the pandemic began, she has served, collaborated with, and advocated for custodians at UW, bringing attention to the inequities they face through photography-based storytelling. Evalynn enjoys drinking coffee, going on hikes, bouldering, and community organizing. Evalynn is based in Seattle and speaks Tagalog, Waray-Waray, Khmer, and English. She can be reached at: www.uwcustodianproject.com
Michael Luong
is the associate art director at Πή³΅΄σΆΣ.
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