re: #100 dragonfire1981

As an immigrant myself, I often wonder how much bullshit and prejudice I’ve been spared by having white skin and virtually no accent.

I had to go to an immigration office the other day to have my biometrics done and as I was sitting there I looked at all the other people around me. I saw people from Europe (chatted with a Swedish lady in the elevator on the way up), Asia, South America and Africa.

The vast majority come to America to accomplish the same thing: Become a hard working, productive member of society and make the country better.

I have not been without a job since I was able to work here. Sure they haven’t been glamorous, I had to take a minimum wage job last year to keep the bills paid, but I’ve busted my ass the whole way through.

When it comes down to it, I have more in common with those people in that office than a lot of folks think I do. I may not be dark skinned and speak primarily in a separate language, but I AM an immigrant. All I ask is to be treated the same as everyone else.

I do not deserve hate thrown at me simply because I chose to come to this country.

I could have walked past a guy like JT ready on the street and he wouldn’t have FLINCHED. Had I had dark skin, a mustache and was speaking Spanish…well, you get the idea.

The bottom line is: Don’t judge people based on the way the look. Don’t assume you know who someone is or where they are from because of the way the speak and treat EVERYONE the way you want to be treated.

Awesome. Anyhow, my best friend at work is an immigrant and a great dude.