Be open-minded

[PLFXpert 0]

This is a feature article written for a newspaper a while back. It is part of a series of America's Best Newswriting. It is only a page and a half long if you have a chance to read it.

It's my favorite feature article ever written and I wanted to share it. It reminds me just how important it is not to stereotype and judge others.

If you get a chance to read it, let me know what you think.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Mexican-American.doc

[outofit 0]

it kind of puts in perspective how good we have it in america that those less fortunate who live south of the border will risk their lives and their childrens for a chance at prosperity. case in point was just last week whenever the boat load of haitian immigrants came a shore in miami. it was tragic seeing those people jump in the water just hoping to step foot on dry land in hopes of seeking political asylum. the problem i have with mexicans and others of spanish decent migrating to the north under illegal status is that they undermine our economy and workforce. they will work for meager wages (less than minimum wage) and in essence knock those of legal status out of the same opportunity. also, this allows those hiring these individuals to exploit them to the fullest. i guess there is no right or wrong answer in this debate and i guess conditions will probably worsen. however, i don't think we as americans should be required to learn foreign languages in order to accomodate those who infiltrate our land seeking an opportunity at a better life, but i try not to stereotype, judge or act in a prejudicial manner against others just because they choose to live a different lifestyle or of a different skin color. just my 2 cents! later

It is better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool!

[jtval 0]

there is a resaon I dont own a gun!
I would use it on smug assholes and ingoart ppl! then when they were elimintes I would find a new group to "Clean" off the face our this planet!

My photos

My Videos

[PLFXpert 0]

I pretty much agree w/ you, but it's hard to say what is right in that situation and what is wrong. The United States has an opportunity to offer than can be found no place else, and I feel like everyone in the world should have a right to that, as well, if they so choose.

Your points, however, about working for meager wages, employers exploiting illegal immigrants, etc. I pretty much agree with.

I've heard one such employer, say, that he didn't feel bad about having mexicans work for him for less than minimum wage b/c what he pays them is still much more than they could make in their own country. I see his point, but don't think I agree with what he was doing, either.

Anways....I don't like the article b/c I necessarily think it's OK for immigrants to not speak English, I like it b/c it helps me to understand that, even though I may think that immigrants should learn the language, it helps me not to judge them for not doing so.

Basically, despite how you feel about immigrants, etc...it puts some things in perspective, I think. Like I said, I'm not necessarily for illegal immigrants and people not speaking English, just that I try not to assume things b/c you never know any one particular person's situation.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[outofit 0]

i think it sucks to be perfectly honest that people will exploit another human being because of there reace or gender. that is dehumanization at it's lowest. mexican people are some of the hardest working people u will ever see and for that it makes them attractive for exploitation because they will do menial labor that most americans will not even consider. it really is sad when u think about it.

It is better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool!

[happythoughts 0]

I think it is great that people don't want to see others suffer. However, there is a limitation that exists and there is little to do to get around it. If you hire someone and they don't read, write, or speak English, what do you have them do? A bricklayer understands basic skills, but what if an architect makes notes on a blueprint? Can you put him in charge of handing out checks written in English? Can you give him an address to take a delivery to?

I know Americans of every ethnicity who are out there doing the same types of jobs. They are out there working too. I drove a dump truck with a trailer when I was younger. We put sod on the trailer. I was out there with the Mexicans throwing it some days. I carried block next to them, I could read though. At some point, it is everyones responsibility to take care of themselves.

Regardless of our viewpoint, there are a lot of people who regard 3 good meals and a bed as a good life. Their expectations are a little different.
People have a lot more control over their lives than we give them credit for. In this country, you have opportunities and that is better than their other options.

[Skyrose7 0]

I think it is sad too. just want to ask opinions of direct foreign investment--eg. Disney goes to Haiti for its production. I, personally, this this sucks as well. People use the same arguement, though. 'if these companies weren't there, there would be no income for these poor people'
I believe that their poverty leaves them exposed to exploitation by companies that don't want to pay american min wage, so they go to haiti, some other carribean country, asian country, etc. .
sorry, I study this stuff. had to vent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The mind is like a parachute--it works better when it is open. JUMP.
MaryRose

[happythoughts 0]

I can't tell you whether the presence of Disney in Haiti is good or bad. I don't know what is happening there. Just as an observation, I do know that in the early 90's, the people in Haiti would risk being shot by border guards in order to get a job as a cane cutter in the Dominican Republic. I don't know if it was political climate or poverty, but it must have been unbelievable.

The Haitians that came to the US and worked in the Everglades sugar cane industry would take their money to a clothes-by-the-pound store and ship clothing back to their relatives.

Sometimes, a little of something really is better than all of nothing. There are probably jobs that are being done in Haiti that Americans truly don't want.

I worked for GTE and did business with the Dominican govt. It seemed to be win-win. Since you have studied this, you probably have a lot more information than I do. I think living in Haiti is probably a pretty grinding existence.

[Skyrose7 0]

yeah, sorry. THis example is most prominent in my mind because I just saw a docum. on it. It was really sad. unbelievable, actually. I guess I just thank God for what I have here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The mind is like a parachute--it works better when it is open. JUMP.
MaryRose

[outofit 0]

u can blame all this shit on corporate america taking advantage of the lower class and the easiest population to take advantage of is those of illegal decent!

It is better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool!

[PLFXpert 0]

Ohhhh, Skyrose, don't even get me started on big companies setting up their factories in 3rd world countries. The arguement is: "Oh, we're helpig bring them jobs and money." but the truth is, they like these countries b/c they don't have the safe work hazards rules, environmental rules, etc. that we have in the US. In my sociology classes we read extensive research on the subject...it really pisses me off. I don't feel like arguing it, though, so I'll leave this comment in its brevity.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Skyrose7 0]

no, I completely agree with you. I don't see the good in it all all. I was just stating the arguement that is used in defense of it. I don't think it stands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The mind is like a parachute--it works better when it is open. JUMP.
MaryRose