As an over privileged white guy, I’d have vociferously defended your position, 20 years ago. Now, not so much. In that time I met and eventually married a fabulous beautiful Chicana who spent most of her childhood growing up in historic South Central Los Angeles. Over the years, I’ve come to have a very different perspective of many things.
The LA Times paid Patricia Escarcega 1/3rd less than her colleague because they could, pure and simple. Experience is the reasoning which seems logical, but it’s not. I was surprised to find out, through his LinkedIn page, that BIll only worked at the Chronicle for a year back in 2006 (& that we went to the same college) To me, it stands out as a resume padder, which has the bonus of giving outsized credibility, which can used as a stepping stone to higher paying gigs. Which is what he did after a year. An opportunity enabled by race and gender. As far as the James Beard award goes, it’s not the most egalitarian organization. They tend to draw from the same wells and work within the same circles of chefs and critics year after year. They rarely go outside their comfort zone. Restaurant Awards Like the World’s 50 Best List Are Unfair. Let’s Fix Them - Eater
Writing, to me, is a talent, not a skill you hone. Experience is more of a track record in this case rather than a judgment of talent. See “experienced” businessman in the White House. It’s also frequently used as a way to keep the glass ceiling in place. I work in a similar field. I know many folks with long tenures who can do reasonably good work and occasionally something really neat. I know others, who are just out of college or this is their first step up to the big time, who hit it out of the park every single time. They get something about what we’re doing and are able to run with it. Writing is like that.
Bill’s focus tends to be high end dining. As you well know, that does not make a well rounded critic for LA because it’s missing out on the wide swath of multitudes of other types of restaurants in LA. Also, in assessing Patricia’s experience, you’re missing one essential thing. She’s a native Southern Californian, and that counts for a hell of a lot. I know I married one. I’ve been here 18 years and I’m still learning.
That said, I read and appreciate Patricia more than Bill since she writes what I’m interested in. At the end of the day that is what important. How well will the writer connect with and engage with the audience. She does that very well.
The unfortunate part of this whole situation is since the LA Times has refused to reconcile the two salaries, it might likely end up in court, where the jury most likely consist of older white guys who believe “experience” trumps all other factors. In that scenario, she’ll loose and the glass ceiling will still be firmly in place.