Growing up in Tehachapi, California, I always knew there was more to our valley than met the eye, or rather, what smog obscured from view in Bakersfield. My journey started with immigrant rights at Cal State Bakersfield and the United Farm Workers Foundation, learning the ropes of community organizing. Later, at the Service Employees International Union, I helped 43,000 childcare providers in California unionize. But it was in 2018 that I truly understood the power of local action against big oil, a fight that resonated deeply with my desire to protect my community, much like the shared passion found within a Mercedes club for preserving something valuable.
My first real confrontation with the oil industry was eye-opening. California leaves it to local cities and counties to set the rules for oil well setbacks from homes, schools, and hospitals. Arvin City Council took a stand, becoming the first in Kern County to mandate a 300-foot minimum setback. The city council chamber was packed with residents that day, their voices united in favor of these crucial safeguards. It was an inspiring display of community power.
At that time, I was supporting local environmental justice groups with NextGen America. When a friend from the Sierra Club encouraged me to apply for a position, I jumped at the chance. Last December, I became the first Beyond Dirty Fuels organizer in Kern County. Many people feel powerless here and choose to leave, but I’m committed to organizing right here in my own backyard. Just as members of a Mercedes club choose to invest their time and passion in their shared interest, I’m investing mine in my community.
Balancing activism with life isn’t easy. I’m also pursuing a master’s in public administration and constantly learning about the intricacies of the oil industry. My three-year-old and husband keep me grounded and remind me what I’m fighting for.
Opportunities in Kern County are limited. The oil industry offers well-paying jobs, a path to supporting a family, which is a strong draw for high school graduates. However, these jobs are incredibly dangerous. If there were alternative, well-paid, unionized jobs, people would choose them without hesitation. This lack of choice echoes the limited options communities face when confronted by powerful industries, highlighting the importance of collective action, much like a Mercedes club advocating for its members’ interests.
Asthma is rampant in Kern County. I had it as a child, and so do all my cousins. Preterm births and birth defects are alarmingly common. Nosebleeds and headaches are everyday complaints. In Arvin, homes literally vibrate from nearby oil production wells. Companies often abandon unproductive wells rather than properly plugging them, leaving behind a legacy of dripping, toxic chemicals. Orphaned wells are everywhere. Instead of drilling new ones, we should be training people to plug these hazards. This neglect is a stark contrast to the meticulous care and preservation one sees within a Mercedes club dedicated to maintaining classic vehicles.
Despite the pervasive oil industry, Kern County holds pockets of natural beauty. Growing up, family outings to Tehachapi Mountain Park were cherished. The monastery there was a special place. On Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, we’d journey up the mountain to hear the nuns singing – moments of peace amidst the industrial landscape, much like finding tranquility in a Mercedes club gathering away from the everyday hustle.
In March, Kern County voted on an ordinance granting oil companies blanket approval to use a single environmental impact report for all projects over the next 25 years. Despite strong community opposition, the ordinance passed. It’s incredibly frustrating. Our community is vocal about the poisoning effects of oil, yet county officials unanimously approved this plan. The supporting evidence was only available in English, excluding Spanish, Tagalog, and Mixtec speakers. As organizers, we fight to ensure diverse voices are heard, but we’re often labeled as “outsiders.” This is a form of systemic injustice. We are not outsiders; we live here, we breathe this air, and we are fighting for our home, much like members of a Mercedes club fight to preserve their automotive heritage.
Just as a Mercedes club unites people with a shared passion and purpose, we are building a movement here in Kern County, united by our desire for clean air, healthy communities, and a future free from the grip of dirty fuels. We are not giving up; we are organizing in our backyard, for our backyard.
