Brockovich reveals values, credos

By Ryan May
Daily Forty-Niner

Erin Brockovich is nervous.

Waiting in a dressing room backstage, she anxiously picks at the paper clip that holds her speech together, readying herself for what she considers her calling.

A self-proclaimed advocate of the people, Brockovich spoke on the importance of values to nearly 1,100 students, faculty and community members Tuesday night at the Carpenter Center for Performing Arts at Cal State Long Beach.

"When you get out there, your ethics and values will be challenged," Brockovich said before her appearance. "And for what, the almighty buck? I see it all the time and I have an issue with it."
 Brockovich's appearance, sponsored by the Odyssey program at CSULB, was the second in a series entitled, "Values and Technology in a Global Community." Sharon Olson, director of academic projects, said

Brockovich, 40, was chosen for her emphasis on values in a corporate setting.

"We are focusing not on technology itself but on how technology affects us," Olson said, citing Brockovich's struggle against Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

According to information released through Brockovich's law firm, Masry and Vititoe, PG&E was responsible for contaminating groundwater in Hinkley, Calif. with Chromium 6, a toxic chemical.

Brockovich discovered the pollution and became a key figure in the largest legal settlement in United States history, $333 million. The events of the case were then dramatized in the Julia Roberts film "Erin Brockovich," released last March.

"I still don't think that I believe it," Brockovich said of the film.

"I still don't really see this movie as about me. I only picture myself as a vehicle to carry on a message about something that impacts all of us as a whole."

Although extortion charges were dropped against her ex-husband, Shawn Brown, and former boyfriend, Jorg Halaby, for allegedly promising not to reveal damaging information about her in exchange for $310,000, Brockovich still appeared and recounted a value system inspired by her parents.

"I believe we're all in search of one thing in our life and it isn't money, power or fame," Brockovich said. "I believe we search for true happiness. Be careful where you look."

Stating the motto, "press on," she related her triumph over dyslexia, anorexia, panic disorder and poverty. Through it all, her trademark wit remained in tact.

"When I was first asked to do a lecture series, I said 'you have got to be kidding me,'" Brockovich said.  "I didn't get through college because I slept through the lecture series."

Now the director of environmental research at Masry and Vititoe, Brockovich is focusing on other cases of groundwater contamination including another case against PG&E, a case against Lockheed Martin and one against Dole and Del Monte Foods.

"She provokes thinking," CSULB President Robert Maxson said of Brockovich.  "She is a change agent and that's what universities are about."