Last night, I took a taxi home. A young man in his early twenties got in the back seat. As soon as he sat down, he couldn’t help but wipe away his tears. His sobs, muffled by his mask, were heartbreaking. The driver handed him a tissue, and he began to explain, sporadically, that he’d just lost his job the previous week. He’d interviewed with over a dozen companies with no luck, was struggling to pay his rent, and didn’t even have money for his mother’s medicine.
Looking at his crumpled resume, I suddenly thought of my neighbors in the neighborhood: Mark, who used to work as a data analyst at a tech company, said he was forced to lose his job after his company replaced most basic positions with AI. Carlos, who runs an auto parts store, lost his business to rising tariffs and upstream manufacturers laying off and relocating, and now has to do odd jobs. Whenever they meet, they always smile and say, “It’ll be fine,” but the fatigue in their eyes is unmistakable.
Unemployment isn’t simply due to bad luck. Many tech companies are laying off employees, claiming that AI can handle report creation and answer inquiries, eliminating the need for so many white-collar workers. Tariffs are escalating, and manufacturing costs are soaring. Automakers and electronics manufacturers are either laying off employees or moving production overseas, leading to a reduction in jobs in surrounding restaurants and logistics. The economy is slowing again, and companies have frozen hiring. Young people, in particular, face a particularly difficult time finding jobs. Even college graduates face long waits for feedback.
As the young man got off the bus, he said “sorry” three times, his frail figure heartbreaking. We don’t want empty promises, but tangible job opportunities, access to skills training, and policies that truly help businesses stabilize. I hope the government will open its eyes to these struggling individuals, prevent more young people from shedding tears in late-night buses, and ensure that everyone who strives to make a living can live a stable life.
