The Many Colors of America
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Having I grew up in Texas where there were a lot of Hispanic workers but there was a clear division. This has been a different experience for me in the North East. Warning- I am going to stereotype: I have loved being in their presence. As a whole, I have felt their faith, their gratitude, and their contentment with the work that was provided for them. As a whole they have been diligent and attentive to details. When asked to do more, they gladly did, they wanted to make sure I was pleased and they found pleasure in doing a good job. Coinciding with this work, I have had many opportunities to buy (a few) more things than usual. What I have noticed in my retail experience, for the most part, is a fair amount of complaining from the “American” workers. “I have to be here until 9”, “well getting this for you will give me something to do”, “I’m way over-qualified to be working here!” etc. It’s such a contrast from the simple, content and grateful spirits I have been surrounded by, who were serving in my home. Now I am not political at all, I don’t follow the news and what I am stating is primarily about people and attitudes and has nothing to with healthcare. Certainly not every Hispanic worker is gracious nor is every “American” a complainer, but as a whole there seems to be some things that have made an impression on me. Another revolution in the fabric of America is our black president. Regardless of his political stand I love a great deal of what I feel has changed in America since he became our president. I feel there is more of a sense of confidence in the black people I see day to day. Maybe it’s me, but I feel like a chip has been removed from some shoulders. Again I certainly don’t mean everyone, but where I used to feel a bit of resentment or division from some people who look different from me; I feel that since Obama has been our president there is more oneness in America. Mind you I am not out taking polls; these are personal observances from a woman who is out and about in the world on a daily basis. I can see how rap music, while I can’t stomach some of the lyrics, has become main-stream for whites as well as blacks. The thing I do love is when my son plays his rap stations on a Sunday morning, it’s full-blown gospel and I love ALL the words and the passion with which they are sung. I grew up in a white world but my children are growing up in an integrated world. Change is hard for all of us, but this change is one I personally am embracing. I hope that rather than get their work ethic and gratitude watered down, that the immigrants will be leaders in many ways to many of us who take for granted what we have here. I pray that while we are integrating in our ethnicities that we will still have cultural traditions that we pass on and use to contribute to society. I hope that where we all face prejudice of one kind or another, that we will all be able to recognize that all people are made in the image of God no matter what anyone looks like or what language anyone speaks or how someone’s musical gifts sound. Each and every person is valuable. Everyone has something to contribute and I am thankful for the diversity I have experienced lately which has contributed great things to my life. |
