"You hear a lot of negatives about the Hispanic Community out of fear of the unknown. Last night, my wife and I saw the good hearts of two unknown Hispanics that will have a positive impact on our country. It was just after dark, we were driving down Priscilla Street when we came across a young man pushing his SUV down the road. He had run out of gas and was in need of help. I offered to help push his SUV the 3 to 4 blocks left to get him to the gas station on the corner as my wife followed behind us for safety. We pushed past several homes with people out in their yards and drew many stares. But as we passed one home, two Hispanic men came running out their door in flip flops and jumped right in next to me really lightening the load. Nobody asked them and once the car was at the pump, they disappeared as fast as they volunteered. I’m sure their families saw their actions and their children will grow up with great knowledge of helping out their neighbor and what it takes to become good citizens.
I guess what I’m saying here is the next time someone makes one of those blanket prejudice statements, think about this event before considering their statement.
Richard"
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
44 comments:
oh hell then that makes it all O.K. then, ridiculous. you going to have to do more than that if you want to steal our jobs, run the bills up on every tax payer in america. if your not here legally "GET OUT".
Did you check to see if you still have a spare tire?
Doug Wilkerson -- you are a disgusting racist. You should be ashamed of yourself. The writer said that they were Hispanics, and you can't stop yourself from assuming they were here illegally and starting a tirade on illegal immigration. This is just like that post about the three black kids who went to Walgreen's or something and were told they had to leave because they were black. All the repugnicans here assumed they were "dressed ghetto."
Why do you all hate so much? Is it lack of education? Abusive parents? Inferiority complex?
YOU ARE THE MOST UN-AMERICAN AMERICANS WHO THINK THEY ARE WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT.
Yeh , now that I've heard this we should let 20 million more in the
country. There are only so many lawns to cut!
Most of the hispanics I've encountered are good, hard-working people. I've had similar experiences with the hispanics.
It's some of the other races I've got problems with.
And no, I'm not a racist . . but I am a realist.
Who said they were illegal? Cannot assume every hispanic person is illegal.
Ok then, Doug. How about the illegal immigrant soldier who jumped on a grenade to save his buddies? Right now they are debating whether he is eligible for a Medal of Honor award. If he wasn't there, his buddies likely would have died. He gave his life for his fellow Americans, but guys like you see people like him as unworthy. Pathetic.
Good post. Everyone can debate immigration policy, but let's restrain from prejudice and racism. I'm Hispanic and I support building a fence/deportation, however, many conservative Hispanics are greatly turned off from the Republican party because of the prejudice comments made by many other conservatives. Keep it up, and Democrats are going to win in a landslide.
While I am afervent believer that everyone must follow the legal means to become a citizen of this country, I think he incident in question provides a greater example of cultural diffrences and social tolerance.
The quthor does not mention the perceived nationality or races of the other neighbors that watched the scene unfold and did nothing, but lets assume since they were not hispanic, that they were a healty mix of black and white people.
Those people (and I fall under the white category) did nothing but watch, possibly thinking to themselves, "sucks to be you," and making the conscious decision that they were not going to get involved.
The gentelmen who helped out saw a situation, discerned that they could help out, and did so wihtout being asked, and without asking for anything in return.
In this scene, then, who is truly the good American citizen, looking out for their nighbors and jumping in the fix problems?
"what you do to the least of my bretheren..."
Doug, just because they are Hispanic doesn't mean they are here illegally. Too many people here see brown skin and automatically assume that person is an illegal immigrant. It just ain't so.
"blanket prejudice" Heck, that's how we do things here on the Shore.
I had a simular story at the inlet beach, my children where out in the surf and my daughter got pulled under by a wave, and out of no were a hispanic man grabbed her and handed her to me, he didnt have to but he did and the funny thing was there were other people around and they just look and never offered to help but he did.
Any story about Hispanics = illegal immigration to you racists.
Any story about Muslims = terrorists to you racists.
Any story about blacks = free-loading to you racists.
And you wonder why the Republican party is losing so much ground these days.
You hate on GOPers who are not as far right as you, and certainly never would want to work with Dems. You don't play well with others, and America is tired of your ignorance and hatred. It's time to move forward folks, stop thinking white = American and Better.
I said nothing racist at all. i assumed they are illegal based on the true statistic here on the shore. lets get the poster to go back to their resedence and ask them if they are legal citizens of this nation befor you brand me as a rampid racist. i bet your wrong. i dont care one little bit if your brown,black,red or yellow if you did not enter this country legally you do not belong here and should be deported. i have a interacial grand baby that i love and would die for, how dare you call me a racist. Self preservation for all legal americans is what i care about. dont forget to go check to verify these particular indivuals legal status.
It's nice to see more people recognize ignorance and prejudice for what it is. If Doug Wilkerson wants to believe all the other races and nationalities are here stealing jobs, then he should live by his own words and leave. After all, I don't think the name "Wilkerson" is a Native American Indian name. By Doug's rules, only the Native Indians belong here and the rest of us need to leave.....
Right?
As far as the solder you refered to i do not believe he should of ever been allowed to enter the service to begin with. hes sounds brave and is a hero for his actions, how-ever serving in the military and not being a legal citizen is crazy.
Mr. Wilkerson -
You don't think you are being prejudical and racist by demanding that we verify the legal status of these Hispanics? I know for sure that if two white people helped the car out, you wouldn't be clamoring for verification of the legal status. It is truly repugnant to me that you blanket all Hispanics as presumptively illegal, and you will not be convinced otherwise until you have proof of their citizenship. How truly un-American. Hispanic Americans who are here legally helped elect George Bush President, and now they are jumping ship to the Dems because of the type of ignorance you display.
Mr. Albero -
I remember you posting a comment to the story about the three blacks kids who were kicked out of Walgreens condemning the blanket racism your readers were displaying. I think your readers value your opinion, and a similar post here on this story would be worthwhile. We must discourage such blanket racism. Please help.
It has nothing to do with race. It has to do with legal citizenship under the laws of the land. why is this so hard to understand? I hate no-one because of the color of their skin or their culture. I care about the rights of americans, legal americans. I care when i see so many jobs lost, I care about us first. How the hell does that become racist? I believe if you are here as a legal american citizen you are entitled to any or all the american dream you can earn. where does this get lost in racism? Short of this i really dont give a shit what you think or say. "THE LAW IS THE LAW".
12:32, Your still not getting it. We are all here immagrated legally.
Our ancestors came under the letter of the law. Illegal aliens did not. they broke our laws to be here. My view is this should not be tolerated.
It is racist of you to automatically think that someone who appears to be Hispanic is here illegally. If you can't see that, Doug, then there really is nothing else to say. Your having and loving a grandchild of mixed race is not a "get out of being called a racist free" card, as most people who are prejudiced against people of different racial, ethnic, religious groups, or against homosexuals, can point to an acquaintance of that group that they claim to get along with. Well, as a member of one of those groups, I can tell you WE don't get along with you!
Doug,
How did the first English colonists immigrate here legally? Inquiring minds want to know.
I wasnt looking for a get out of racist jail free card. When i hold my baby i just love her, there is no hate in me. yes perhaps assumming that these men were illegals was a bit over the top i dont believe this was done out of racism. i simply know how many illegal aliens there are around here. bad assumption perhaps but not spawned out of racism. i know how hard of workers hispanics are, thats for sure, but they enveloped our country by breaking our laws plain and simple. i do not live my life hating people. i judge people on their soul. i do not understand why i am a racist because i wish our laws to be up-held.
12:57, I would never use my little angel as a leverage tool, thats a insult and your wrong. ive come a long way from daddy told me, a damn long way and im proud of it.
Actually, a good percenteage of our grand parents and great grand parents immigrated illegally. Check it out. It's estimated that nearly 20% of Irish, 25% of Italian, a whopping 40% of Greek early immigrants were and are illegal. What say you now? This is history repeating itself. Those nationalities were the targets of harsh bigotry and prejudice earlier in this country's history. With that said it's likely alot of you assholes wouldn't be here if this country was as intollerant ijn the past as you are now. Think about it.
Let me guess what all the other so-called non-Hispanic men in the neighborhood were doing.....stopping cars and leaning into them to sell dope.I lived in that area so I know and let me tell you the Hispanics that live in the Doverdale area are victimized terribly by the thugs.They are scared to death to call the police and raise a fuss when they are robbed or assaulted by gangbangers because of deportation.Not that I am defending illegals,but they put up with alot in these marginal neighborhoods.Its a shame that people who may not be Americans are better neighbors than those who are citizens.And thats not racist,thats fact.
This is out of control.
Every single person who enters this country should do so legally, and it is up to our congress to set what those guidelines are and then make sure that those guidelines are followed and ENFORCED. Enforcement of the already existing laws is the problem.
Everyone who has ever lived in the south west knows that Hispanics are some of the most giving and gracious people anyone would ever want to meet.
I personally believe because the majority of them come from such meager means that they know how it feels to be down and they know that helping someone in need raises your chances of getting help when you need it.
There is no pretension in the Hispanic community, they live within their means and do what it takes to get the job done.
During our stay in Wyoming, in the last year there has been a huge influx of Hispanics here. I have asked several business owners about this, and they have said that the reason is because the prices are so out of reach for the average person to live, and the rich folks don't want to affordable housing projects anywhere near them....sooo they hire illegals because they will live 10 to a house and not complain and with 10 people paying the rent, they can afford the $3,500 per month rent.
So it is wealthy communities that support illegals coming into this country.
You can't blame these people for coming in and working and making money.
You must place the blame on the governments for not enforcing the laws and you much place the blame on the wealthy who don't want to see the reality of life.
These are 2 very nice helpful gentlemen. The color of their skin does not change that; the fact that they may or may not have entered this country legally does not change that.
Yes, I do have a problem with immigrants who sneak into this country illegally. My ancestors came by way of Ellis Island, learned to speak English and took a citizenship test to earn the right to call them Americans.
Yes some of my ancestors were immigrants, some were also Native Americans. So do I call myself an Irish, German, Italian, African, Welsh, Native American because I have all those nationality in my family tree? No I am, like every other legal citizen of this country and just a plain old American. I would love to say I think I will see a day were all the labels are dropped and everyone lives as just a plain old American but I don’t think that will ever happen as long as we have to select what race we are on every form we fill out. Forms should only request citizen or not?
This post has certainly taken a turn away from the original intent. Which I believe to be complimenting someone for the kindness they showed and become about prejudice in this country. This country was founded to be a place where everyone could live free a mixing pot. Yes, there have been horrible times in our past, but that is the past and we need to stop dragging it up. It is a part of our history and will always be but we need to stop focusing on it and trying to punish American citizens for it now.
Sorry this is so long I guess this one just pushed the right buttons.
Doug, you said, "i simply know how many illegal aliens there are around here." How many are there? Why don't you tell us. The Census Bureau and a variety of other research organizations have a very difficult time finding out the exact number of illegals here. But you seem to have figured out a way of determining that number. So please tell us how you did so.
You seem to think that almost every Hispanic around here is an illegal. Apparently you are unaware that the vast majority of Hispanics are either here legally or are citizens. The numbers vary, but it seems that a good estimate is around 13 million illegals here. There are about 45 to 50 million Hispanics who live here legally. You may want to consider this the next time you stereotype a Latino and dismiss him or her as an illegal.
Mr. Wilkerson -
Would you feel better if I said that you aren't a 'racist' but rater promote 'racial prejudice?' Because certainly by stating: "you going to have to do more than [help the car out] if you want to steal our jobs, run the bills up on every tax payer in america. if your not here legally GET OUT," you have 'pre-judged' these Hispanics without any reason to think they are illegal aside from the color of their skin. Again, I ask, would you have demanded evidence of citizenship if the assistance was provided by two white guys? I imagine that you wouldn't because you would just assume that they are here legally, whereas any Hispanic is presumptively an illegal immigrant. You are repugnant and should be ashamed of your bigotry and hatred towards people you've never met. You are sad, sad little man.
And one more point: Hispanic Americans consider the term 'illegals' as crossing the line. Even those chastising Wilkerson use the phrase 'illegals' but its a very derogotary term to the Hispanic community.
on the eastern shore, you gotta be kidding me. for a few years now almost every jobsite ive been on are hispanics working, ive tryed to ask them how they feel about the immagration policies and have in turn pretty much figured out their legality, granted the speech barrier does not help. and i say the actual number is more like 20-25 million illegal aliens. perhaps the small area that i have contact with hispanics is more intensly populated than other areas with illegal aliens i cant say. but i know what i see and hear everyday on the eastern shore.
last time i checked george we did get invaded by 20 million white men.
Mr. Wilkerson -
I can only assume you meant to say that last time you checked we did NOT get invaded by 20 million white men.
But you're wrong there again, just ask the Native Americans.
George w. -- don't bother trying to figure out what Doug is saying. He doesn't seem to have a mastery of the English language. Of course, he's probably the first to complain that "them damn wetbacks don't learn no English when they come here!"
back to the spelling as a response i see, and im the idiot racist. at least g.w. has enough balls to sign half his name. MRS WYMZIE has already shown she is solid. you wont change me, you cant even come close. they steal our jobs and you want me to smile. it isnt gonna happen in this lifetime. i quess well meet in the end, well see who the fool is then. all of you all are left handed i see.
The lesson for each of us here is of course what Joe is saying, prejudice comes from lack of education. Any prejudice, not just racial. Sure, when people are afraid they say things that are stupid. So if you are afraid it is ok to be a bigot.
Joe thanks for the good neighbor report, we need more of them.
I belive that illegal is the operative word. Illegal is wrong...illegal drugs, sex, booze, gambling, insider trading, whatever it is....if it is illegal, enforce the law. Vote for people who will enforce the law.
We have plenty of laws, just no enforcement. We are a country, we are a country of people, the people are supposed to see that the laws are enforced. If you do not like illegal....(put in your own word) then insist that the law be enforced.
Vote....write letters, make phone calls. This is your country folks, change what is wrong with it...and take some responsiblity and quit bitchin...
I was wondering, does anyone know thier history, didnt north america originally belong to the indians and the mexicans? Didnt the white people kill and steal this country? Does anyone believe in equal rights for all anymore or is it only for a select few? Why can't everyone have the right to the same freedoms we take for granted everyday. Why are the people who happend to be born in America feel that their ancestors were the only ones who had the rights to liberty and freedom?
I've known this one guy for about 20 years or more. He's always putting down Mexicans, to him it's the root cause that he can't get a job.
At 44 years of age you would think a person could hold a job longer than 5 months. He doesn't have a problem getting jobs, he just can't keep them because he's always F'ing up.
When you've worked for almost half of the contractors in this town and they all know he walks off every job he's ever had, how the hell does he think he's owed a job?
Mr. Wilkerson...please pick up the red courtesy phone....the red courtesy phone....our representatives are waiting for you in the lobby. {BTW you are nuttier than a Snickers bar...Mmmmm-Ok}
While we are on the subject of race,I had to pass along something I overheard that kinda bothered me but I let it go.....
I was accompanying my child to a school function tonight and as we were walking past the restroom,there were some black children and their parents and I overheard a parent complaining they did not want to go sit in a conference room "full of white people".Nobody blinked an eye and since it was not an appropriate place for me to put on my "bitch hat" I let it go but it was shocking.Had that been a white parent who loudly exclaimed they did not want to sit in a room full of "black people" or "Mexican people" there would have been an all out brawl.They say racism is taught at home and I feel badly for children of any race whose parents teach them to discriminate.
Blutoj, I agree completely. Its weird to look at the world around us and examine the levels of tolerance for certain things. For instance, if you changed the title of African American Pride magazine to White Pride Magazine, what kind of context does that put itself into? I myself picture the cover having KKK members with their hoods riding around, looking for hate crimes to commit. Its strange how we've reached a point where the pendulum has swung completely in the opposite direction in some ways. A white person making any comment on race will be racist, whereas any other race commenting on race is okay.
Personally, I celebrate race, and the differences and similarities we all have. I don't believe it is racist to consciously recognize the color of skin, the differences in facial structure, the differences in language, etc. I do believe it is racist to recognize those things and make nasty assumptions as a result. I think that our policies on immigration need to either change or be enforced or something because its simply not working the way it is anymore. However, much like the heroes in this post, each culture has qualities that identify that culture as unique and equally valuable in the balance of our lives here in America. Hispanics are typically a very generous kind of people, and I celebrate them for that.
Doug, I think you need to open your heart to a little compassion and close your eyes to the negative connotations you have put to color. And please, consider the people you come into contact with. I don't know what you do for a living, but I'm going to assume when you say you're on job sites all the time, you're in construction. That is an industry that is labor intensive, and often requires people who are willing to work their asses off for very little pay, and at the last minute at times. The way that our economy is structured right now, illegals most times do fill those jobs. Not that I believe its right, mind you. They should be here legally. However, try looking in other industries and neighborhoods. Widen your scope, because basing all of your opinions on one industry demographic is simply unfair. And when you've plainly stated that its fair to assume every hispanic is here on the shore illegally, yes that is racist. You are determining by the color of someone's skin that they are illegal.
I'd be offended if I were that baby's parents to know that you use that baby as a pawn in a conversation, trying to prove you're not racist. Guess what? When people with racist views like yours look at that baby, I bet they think that that baby's parents had that baby just to gain access to America illegally. Not so nice to think of it that way, is it?
Blutojthetotmom -
I hear this type of thing all the time, but what I think you fail to realize is that it is NOT in fact the same for a white person to say a similar comment, and here's why. If we live a life free of pre-judging, we must give the black people you overheard the benefit of the doubt that perhaps in their life's history they've been mistreated by white people because of their race. Now, from the frequent overt racism displayed on this board, its not hard to imagine. And there certainly is a lot of American history that evidences white people mistreating black people. You have no idea what kind of life these people have led, or what their parents or grandparents had to endure. Does it make it OK to make such comments, especially around children? Certainly not. But my point is that it would not be the same for a white person to state a similar comment, because it would be highly unlikely, or at least less likely, that a white person has endured the kind of prejudices that minorities face in this country. There would obviously be exceptions to this pseudo-rule of mine, but I think you can gather my point. When white culture has a history of oppression and prejudices towards minorities, and have never had to endure such widespread bigotry themselves, I think that should allow us to give minorities some leeway in their emotions. Did you ever consider approaching the woman, not in anger or disgust, but with compassion, and say something like, "Oh thats awful to hear, I'm sorry that you'd be uncomfortable. Is there anything I could do to make you more comfortable?"
"They steal our jobs," huh, Doug? I didn't know we owned the jobs here. I thought that employers contracted with employees to perform these jobs. If either one of the parties is dissatisfied, then that party terminates the contract. If an employer can find a better worker or a worker who wants to work at a lower wage, there is nothing wrong with him hiring that worker.
The funny thing is, for all the talk of illegals "stealing" jobs, the unemployment rate in this country has remained at pretty low levels during this so-called "invasion." Sorry, Doug, much like your contention that all Latinos are illegal, your claim that they are "stealing" our jobs isn't supported by facts, either. Maybe you need to turn off Lou Dobbs and pick up a book and find out some real facts on this issue. You certainly don't know enough about immigration to be shouting your mouth off like you do.
If your not here legally ill say it again "GET OUT".
(WHAT A BUNCH OF ANON PUSSYS).
(IF THIS MAKES ME A RACIST, SO BE IT).
George W.
Im sorry but there is NO good excuse for that racial outburst,especially not in a school!
An old boyfriend and I were robbed and terrorized by 3 young black men many years ago-did I start demonizing black men for what I went through?Hell no!They were 3 lowlife criminals and I am intelligent enough to know they do not represent all the other black men in the world.
My daughter is almost 5 and so far she does not "see" color because nobody has told her yet she should see it.What do I do when and if she comes home from school crying because another kid at her school rejected her and told her "I dont play with white kids"?
Kids are pure and not racist until they are taught to be.Unfortunately they eventually learn it at their parents knee and then spread it like a disease.It is no better than child abuse to encourage your kids to view other races are not to be trusted or socialized with.
And seeing as how this woman was already hostile,I do not think she would have appreciated a white woman approaching her for any reason.Its just sad that both white and black parents are still posioning their children with race hate in 2008.How far have we really come?
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