If someone were to ask me if my spouse were here legally, my knee-jerk rejection would be "Are you? Can you prove it?" What documentation would be enough to convince the kidnappers? I appreciate what you write.
Walter, today’s story reminds me of the questions people of color have gotten for many decades, before the current widespread frenzy about legal documentation.
It amazes me that perfect strangers, not officials of some sort, feel comfortable blurting out racist, offensive, and other equally inappropriate questions.
People of color have had our presence questioned all of our lives in all kinds of settings.
For example, for 30+ years I’ve lived, shopped, and walked in the same neighborhood, as well as taught at a local college only a few miles away.
And yet, occasionally someone in the line at Starbucks or Home Depot will ask, “Do you live around here?”
In case anyone is thinking they are just being friendly, dash that thought. It’s the unmistakable tone and way they glance up and down that’s a dead giveaway.
I won’t share my responses.
My favorite offensive encounter was when I was a seminar presenter at the LA Gift Mart and got on the elevator headed to a waiting audience of 200+ attendees.
Security is very tight in that building. Attendees and presenters do not get past the registration desk or security without proper documentation and a badge prominently displayed on your body.
Three ladies who had been chatting with each other before I entered the elevator stopped talking abruptly and proceeded to turn everything on my prominently-visible badge into a question:
“So, you’re a presenter?”
I looked down at my badge and looked back at them, “I guess so.”
Don’t think that was the end of it.
“So. you have a Ph.D.?”
Checked my badge again and gave them the same response.
Don’t think that was the end of their questions.
I just was no longer amused. “I didn’t realize I’d be interviewed on the elevator!” I blurted before they could continue the inquisition.
Whew!
Walter, so many of your stories trigger memories from my life. Thank you.
At this rate, I’ll have my memoir finished in no time.
Yes, please keep writing your stories and get that memoir done! It’s critical to record the reality of this time. I grew up in a racist little rural town and I had blinders on for about half of my life about how bad this country really is. I went to Peru for 10 years when I was 26 and that allowed me to reset my perceptions. I think a lot of the population of the US needs something like that. The indoctrination in this country is so powerful, and people just deny that it exists. Thanks for your thoughtful comment, I’m sorry you had to deal with that!
Thank you for your encouragement. I’m sorry I went on so long, but once your story opened the gate, those encounters burst out like a mare in a bronc riding competition.
You’re absolutely right that our stories must be told, especially now that some history is being omitted from textbooks and teachers restricted from sharing the true stories. When we don’t know history, it’s easy for it to be repeated.
I’m one of “those Democratic Progressives” that unless there is evidence of a criminal background, and there is evidence of the need for asylum, immigrants should be welcomed, except the S. Afrikaans white nationalists . Such bs!
I am the grandchild of Italian immigrants. Italians have now pretty much made it into the middle class, with some leftover prejudice, but back when my grandparents came here, they were looked down upon and thought of as dirty, stupid, and criminal. My grandparents were here legally, of course, so they were allowed to live here and raise their kids, who went to school, married, went to work, etc., just like everyone else. When left alone, immigrants make contributions to American society. This country was built on immigration. People should remember that.
I would ask them where they are from and then tell the everyone but Native Americans Indians are true Americans. I would tell them they need to go back to whatever country their ancestors were from because they are the tru immigrants.
I would ask them where they are from and then tell the everyone but Native Americans Indians are true Americans. I would tell them they need to go back to whatever country their ancestors were from because they are the tru immigrants.
If someone were to ask me if my spouse were here legally, my knee-jerk rejection would be "Are you? Can you prove it?" What documentation would be enough to convince the kidnappers? I appreciate what you write.
I’ve asked people that. They become appalled. Thanks Pat!
Walter, today’s story reminds me of the questions people of color have gotten for many decades, before the current widespread frenzy about legal documentation.
It amazes me that perfect strangers, not officials of some sort, feel comfortable blurting out racist, offensive, and other equally inappropriate questions.
People of color have had our presence questioned all of our lives in all kinds of settings.
For example, for 30+ years I’ve lived, shopped, and walked in the same neighborhood, as well as taught at a local college only a few miles away.
And yet, occasionally someone in the line at Starbucks or Home Depot will ask, “Do you live around here?”
In case anyone is thinking they are just being friendly, dash that thought. It’s the unmistakable tone and way they glance up and down that’s a dead giveaway.
I won’t share my responses.
My favorite offensive encounter was when I was a seminar presenter at the LA Gift Mart and got on the elevator headed to a waiting audience of 200+ attendees.
Security is very tight in that building. Attendees and presenters do not get past the registration desk or security without proper documentation and a badge prominently displayed on your body.
Three ladies who had been chatting with each other before I entered the elevator stopped talking abruptly and proceeded to turn everything on my prominently-visible badge into a question:
“So, you’re a presenter?”
I looked down at my badge and looked back at them, “I guess so.”
Don’t think that was the end of it.
“So. you have a Ph.D.?”
Checked my badge again and gave them the same response.
Don’t think that was the end of their questions.
I just was no longer amused. “I didn’t realize I’d be interviewed on the elevator!” I blurted before they could continue the inquisition.
Whew!
Walter, so many of your stories trigger memories from my life. Thank you.
At this rate, I’ll have my memoir finished in no time.
Yes, please keep writing your stories and get that memoir done! It’s critical to record the reality of this time. I grew up in a racist little rural town and I had blinders on for about half of my life about how bad this country really is. I went to Peru for 10 years when I was 26 and that allowed me to reset my perceptions. I think a lot of the population of the US needs something like that. The indoctrination in this country is so powerful, and people just deny that it exists. Thanks for your thoughtful comment, I’m sorry you had to deal with that!
Thank you for your encouragement. I’m sorry I went on so long, but once your story opened the gate, those encounters burst out like a mare in a bronc riding competition.
You’re absolutely right that our stories must be told, especially now that some history is being omitted from textbooks and teachers restricted from sharing the true stories. When we don’t know history, it’s easy for it to be repeated.
No, please go on long! Always capture your inspiration the moment it happens, then cut and paste it into the manuscript!
Thanks. I’ll take your advice to cut and paste into the manuscript.
You can expand on it in the rewrites, but it's always better to have the material!
Absolutely!
Funny how no one asks if my husband is here illegally, but then he has a British accent and white skin.
I would do exactly the same.
Superb! You are a smart moral human. I’m glad you are here. Gracias, merci, thank you, mahalo.
Thank you Dannys!
People are so crude. Reply, "Where is your documents? Can you prove your legality?" My reaction? Mind your own business!
I’m one of “those Democratic Progressives” that unless there is evidence of a criminal background, and there is evidence of the need for asylum, immigrants should be welcomed, except the S. Afrikaans white nationalists . Such bs!
I am the grandchild of Italian immigrants. Italians have now pretty much made it into the middle class, with some leftover prejudice, but back when my grandparents came here, they were looked down upon and thought of as dirty, stupid, and criminal. My grandparents were here legally, of course, so they were allowed to live here and raise their kids, who went to school, married, went to work, etc., just like everyone else. When left alone, immigrants make contributions to American society. This country was built on immigration. People should remember that.
I would ask them where they are from and then tell the everyone but Native Americans Indians are true Americans. I would tell them they need to go back to whatever country their ancestors were from because they are the tru immigrants.
I would ask them where they are from and then tell the everyone but Native Americans Indians are true Americans. I would tell them they need to go back to whatever country their ancestors were from because they are the tru immigrants.