Letter: Grandson learns lesson in prejudice
Dear editor:
On Dec. 12, an ad appeared in the Tribune regarding a local business that needed a dishwasher, and cook helpers. I told my grandson, who had been looking for a job, so he could go and apply. I said, “How hard can it be to wash dishes”?
He did apply and … he said the person told him, “We are not hiring.”
My grandson said, “but there is an ad in the paper,” and the employee said, “No, we have no ad.”
He said they looked him up and down. “I didn’t know whether they didn’t like my looks or the color of my skin,” my grandson said. He is dark. He felt prejudice for the first time in his 22 years.
They should at least have given him an application and then threw it in “File 13.” I always try to give them the best advice I can.
“Count your blessings,” I said. “Why would you want to work for people like that, you will find a better job.” Of course, he was willing to take any job right now.
Besides, I told him, “At your young age, life has taught you a good lesson. Now you know how you feel, since they did that, and you won’t turn around and do it to someone else.”
Life is a good teacher. I understand it is their establishment, and they have every right to do whatever they want.
In my opinion, it is a place to avoid. Thank you in teaching my grandson a lesson in life he won’t ever forget.
Lupe Garcia,
Madera
In response to Mr. Garcia’s letter dated 1/10/08 (on the Madera Tribune Red Line online), I only wish I had a job to offer this young person. There are so many out there that think they are too good for such a menial job, and just the idea that this person went to apply for this job shows his character and willingness to work to better himself.
What business WAS that? I want to know. If ANY business, restaurant or otherwise, is exercising discrimination in hiring due to race, creed, color or gender, this needs to be outed so that the business can learn what FINANCIAL discrimination means. In other words, “you do this, we’re going to hit you where it REALLY hurts…..your bottom line.” I want to know WHAT restaurant this was, so I can make sure that the next time I am down there in MY hometown, I don’t eat there. Heck, I might even be inclined to go in, ask for management, and tell them WHY I’m about to walk out without giving them my patronage…EVER.
I too once had been disriminated against from a business there in Madera. I’m 21 years old and like many other young residents I can relate that its not always easy to find a job. So when you do get a call back after weeks of searching, you get your spirits lifted that just maybe this is the one, not knowing some people or businesses can be straight out “rude”.
I received a call back from … (a business) asking me to come in for an interview one hour after they had called. Frantic about about getting ready in so little time I brushed it off at the thought of getting a job, none the less a “good job.” I dressed in black dress pants, a dark red collard polo tucked in and black dress shoes. I combed my hair appropriately — even though my natural hair color is brown I had a mixture of blonde in it too.
When I got there, the manager, in front of all patrons, told me he was not going to give me a interview. In dismaze I asked why. He stated, in front of patrons, that I did not look the part of what he wanted to hire. I was floored with dismaze and anger. I could not understand how this was happening to me, prejudice. When I asked for him to be more specific, he told me he did not know what I was trying to accomplish not wearing a tie and having blonde in my hair. I explained to him, not everyone can afford brand new clothes, a nice tie and shiny shoes. Isn’t the whole point of getting a job to get money to buy those nice things?
Although I was hurt about not getting the job, I was even more hurt that he had explained to me in the manner that he did, in front of all his patrons! From this experience, I took a better look at how important first impressions really are, and although you may not be so blessed to have the nicest clothes, do your best with a positive attitude and understand that some people and businesses won’t always see what truly matters, and thats the effort you put in.