So I have a brother in law who's a zero gen Mexican who immigrated to California in the 90s, he came to visit and now he's talking politics: he's insistent on saying that people can 'make' it on minimum wage (he's telling my mother in law, "con el mínimo la haces, amá"). I understand that he's saying this because he found a better life in the US, but from what I've seen and experienced myself, it can't be true. Can someone write up a counterargument that won't hurt his fifis?
Kind of depends what he means by "make it". California minimum wage is $15.50 USD, which is pretty high when compared to other places in the world, assuming you can have consistent employment and have the freedom to live outside of the Bay Area you can survive on that for sure - maybe even support a child.
I don't really think that should be the bar though, I want everyone to have the freedom to live rich, dignified and complicated lives.
This.
There is a world of difference between bare survival and a dignified existence.