We often take for granted our places in the world. We begin to buy into the notion that people who work hard will be rewarded for it. But there is still an incredible racial divide in this country and even in places like The Socialist Republic of California, certain people are ranked below others in the social hierarchy.
The other day a young Mexican-American reminded me of things I don't normally think about.
Several days ago I went grocery shopping. As I walked out with my groceries, a young man in sad shape asked me for money. Shaking my head no, I looked over his face and saw his eyes were black and blue and his nose was crooked and swollen. He started to ramble at me before I could tell him I had no money.
"Excuse me ma'am, I need to some money to buy a bus ticket. Do you have anything? Just a dollar maybe?"
I tried to say no but he continued without taking a breath. I really didn't have any money but he was talking too fast for me to get away.
"I just need to get to Dixon ma'am. I came to the hospital here for my nose but they are sending me home. I just need a few dollars to take the bus."
I hesitated for only a moment before responding.
"I'm going to Dixon, I can give you a ride."
He instantly smiled and looked grateful. It looked as if mine were the first words of kindness that he had received. He helped me with my groceries and offered to push the cart back for me. He placed some papers from the hospital in my car as if to make sure that I wouldn't leave without him and then returned in a moment.
I expected the drive to be quiet, he was a young Mexican-American laborer and I, a local college student. What could we possibly have in common? But it turns out we had a lot to talk about.
"Thank you so much for driving me, I really appreciate it."
"It's not problem really, it's on my way."
"My cousin broke my nose. I hate him, he always beats on me. He's from the ghetto, I can't fight him. I'm not gonna live with him anymore."
"Wow. Does it hurt a lot?"
"Yeah, it hurts."
"Did they give you anything for the pain?"
"Nah. They never do. They gave me these forms to fill out before they will treat me 'cause I don't have insurance. Last time I broke my arm and they took weeks before anyone would even respond to the paperwork. This lady at the emergency insurance place said she'd get back to me and when I called a week later they told me she didn't work anymore. I don't have insurance because I work with a day labor company. A couple days they sent me out to San Francisco for a job and they wouldn't even pay my transportation. I only worked four and a half hours. Four and a half hours, it's bullshit, it wasn't even worth it. We had to tear down a stucco wall and I didn't even make any money. Pardon my language ma'am."
"Oh it's ok. That's really terrible though about your nose, I wish I had something to give you for it. By the way, where do you want me to drop you off?"
"You can drop me off by Safeway."
"There's a Safeway in Dixon?" I hadn't ever seen it.
"Yeah, it's kind of new. Like that Walmart that just went in. Walmart sucks, I'd rather work for the day labor company. They are driving the small markets and stuff out of business. They treat their employees like crap and they sell junk."
It was interesting to hear him talking about all these things. It repeated my sociology classes on race and class but I was overwhelmed by his awareness. I was also appalled that the hospital refused him. But it made me think of how our society treats second-class citizens. This man was no less American than I was, but he was not treated the same way.
When I dropped him off he thanked me graciously, shook my hand, and wished me good luck in the world. I wished him the same and really felt I meant it.
The reason I am sharing this story is because there are many people who still argue that discrimination is wholly based on class and not race. They believe in meritocracy. But there is an undeniable link between race and class to anyone who opens their eyes. This man was born and raised here, works hard, and is as intelligent as anyone I have met and yet he can't seem to get ahead in the world. It reminded me of my friends in Lousiana who couldn't afford to get out of town.