VOICES--While doing my Saturday chores today, I ran into a group of young people I know through my children. They went to local school together, graduated college or now attending graduate schools for advance degrees. Really good kids. They all have part time jobs to stay alive and until the dream jobs that they studied for come through. Local gigs as servers, cooks, nanny's etc.
One of these young women, who attends a Catholic University at $45K per year, that I know her parents are struggling to pay for-- as the second daughter gets ready to attend in the Fall, shared an encounter with the group. While taking a lunch order from two middle aged women, one of them told her to "just do your job and take my order" She then told her friend, "I can't wait for these people to be deported." This was in front of this San Diego native whose parents are both citizens; the farther is a Vietnam combat veteran of two tours; both are graduates from local universities; and both families can trace their heritage to a time when California was once Mexico.
Her multi-race collection of friends were stunned at what she shared as was I. I was shocked not because of the overt racism but their reaction to it. Now, my background has been advocacy of poor communities over 40 years and I do have a point of view on such a topic, but man, I need to share something with you. This is not my generation and there is something very different you all need to know.
They are not having any of it. This young woman shared the comment in the kitchen where you have cooks, servers, line staff, managers, and vendors who reflect the diversity of what San Diego now is. They are Latino, Black, White, MIXED race, and Gay. They are also men and women who have served, now serving, or have a loved one now on duty "over there". Being in San Diego, our military is honored, and not just on Veterans Day or before a football game.
Well, they all came out of the kitchen at some point to "check out" who was sitting at Table 26. This included Susan, a young white woman from back east who met and married the love of her life (his name is Juan), with two young children, and he is "over there" on duty and will be gone over the holidays again. She came out to see who the stupid, ignorant, racist, bitches were that just offended her Latina sister. She is the cook.
Just a heads up to those out there that feel empowered to now "share" your feelings out loud with the rest of us. Now I know you had your "reasons" to elect a racist fool as our president and that does not mean you yourself are racist. However, you might want to re-consider your "privilege" when speaking to those around you, who fight your battles, take care of your children while you luncheon, and cook and serve the plate of food that she just put in front of you. Just saying …
(Mariano Diaz lives in San Diego. This reflection was provided by Paul Vandeventer.)
-cw
