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Art, Construction, Immigration, Mexican American, Mexican cuisine, Mexico, Spanish, United States
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United States (Photo credit: Moyan_Brenn)
As I spoke with a neighbor the other day who is in the midst of house construction, the changes in our country became ever more evident. One of the brick columns on his carport was crooked and the construction company owner had sent a man to break down the column so the bricklayer could come in and reconstruct it.
As the worker began demolishing the brick column, my neighbor tried to stop him as he was breaking down the wrong column. The worker looked at him in confusion and muttered, “no comprendae.” He was from Mexico and spoke no English. At that point, it was no longer relevant as to what language he spoke; the damage and consequent delay in finishing construction had been done.
I admit that I am quick to jump on the bandwagon about hollering and screaming that the borders need to be shut down. The Mexicans are taking over more and more of the jobs meant for Americans – in their own country. I also admit to being the person, despite my mild temperament, who wants to slam the phone down when I get a recording that says, “Press 1 for English.” Nothing angers me more than having to press “1” because this is the United States of America and our language is English!
Today, as I was walking down my driveway to pick up the mail, I looked over and observed two masons laying brick columns. They were Mexican, and my first thoughts again were another American job taken over by a foreigner. My second thought was there would have to be an American willing to lay bricks to take the job back, and obviously there wasn’t.
While I am still in favor of securing our borders and giving jobs to out of work Americans, I am not so naïve as to assume an American wants the job. Isn’t that one of the reasons there are so many foreigners working in our country today? I look around the area where I live and there are many, many Mexicans holding down construction jobs, mason jobs, and the grass cutting businesses are almost entirely made up of Mexican employees. My husband hired a Mexican to work construction with him. Before he went back home to Mexico, my husband and this man had grown quite fond of each other. He was a hard worker and willing to learn construction. On his visits home, he used his newly learned carpenter skills to improve his house and build a business for his wife.
While he was an outstanding worker and emulated my husband’s every move, he was unwilling to learn English. Fortunately, my husband is fluent in French (this is Southern Louisiana with Cajun French culture) and is also able to communicate in Spanish – otherwise, this working relationship would not have worked. During their lunch breaks, my husband would learn additional Spanish, but the worker had no interest in learning English, no matter how hard my husband tried to teach him a few words. My husband hired a Mexican because there were no Americans interested in doing manual construction labor.
A number of years ago, I worked at a local university. Students would graduate and eventually come back to work on their MBA. It was not unusual to hear them admit that they couldn’t find a job that paid what they thought they were worth. They admitted to not wanting to start at the ground level and work their way up. It seemed like very few wanted to “pay their dues”, they wanted to be hired in management level positions straight out of school.
It really says something about the work ethic of some Americans when they have the attitude that a ground level position is not good enough. Instant gratification is running rampant and the younger generation seems to find life boring starting out as their parents did – at the ground level where you actually learn the job and earn your way up the ladder.
I sit here and think – what does this say about Americans? We want our borders closed, but are we willing to do the work that the Mexicans now do? Will we take the menial jobs in the fields? Are we willing to lay bricks? Are we willing to mow grass? You have to admit, it is food for thought.
These were some thoughts that came to mind today while observing life outside my door. I invite you to weigh in on this topic. What are your thoughts? Remember, I have meant no insult to anyone of any nationality, so be kind in your response.
As always, thanks for visiting and I hope you visit again.
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In the 1950’s the UK had to actively encourage immigration from the West Indies and elsewhere to find labour to do the job no-one else wanted to do, bus drivers, conductors etc. Today we have similar complaints to the one you make,,, that there are too many foreigners for too few jobs.But though that’s true in a way, we also have the problem of our indigenous people not being willing to take jobs they think are beneath them, and a benefit state that encourages them.
We both need to close our borders to illegal immigration.
In your case Mexicans without a valid green card and perhaps not enrolled in an English course of some kind should be denied work and benefits. Most construction jobs surely require some safety training and this should e done in English so they need to grasp the language.
The same here. Only legal immigrants should be allowed to work and must display a willingness to learn the language so they can understand basic training. Illegals should be housed in centres until decisions are made as to whether they should be returned to their own Country or allowed to stay as political refugees. No actual cash benefits should be granted that allow them to disappear, but food, clothing and medical treatment supplied at the holding centre.
Those of our own people unwilling to work should have their benefits cut by a small amount each time they refuse an interview or a job offer.until benefits/welfare are not a viable income alternative.
I’m not prejudiced and am happy to integrate others into our population but insist they recognise they’re in an English speaking Country and must learn to communicate with me and not me with them. If they want to maintain their own languages then they should emigrate to a Country where that language is the main one spoken. They can follow their own religion but must recognise the laws of my Country and not want Sharia law. If they choose to come here and are accepted then they must want to be an asset.
With the exception of political refugees I want to ban immigration unless the incomers can self support for at least 5 years and not be a burden on the State.
Rant Over
xxx Massive Hugs Donna xxx.
Thank you for taking a moment to respond. I agree with everything you said. I don’t want to see anyone suffer as I also stated, my fellow countrymen, at times think these jobs are beneath them. We’ve become an instant gratification society and have forgotten how to work and to enjoy the benefits from a learned experience.