I am writing this out of frustration and deep despair after an experience. Please help me get this message out!
Yesterday, Friday 9/19/08 I was out with a colleague in the town of Brewster, New York. Brewster is in Putnam County; one of the wealthiest counties in New York State. It is also the home of countless migrant day laborers. They stand outside designated coffee shops and news stands waiting for contractors to drive by in pick up trucks to select from the waiting crowds of hungry men.
They come from Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and El Salvador. There are no numbers not statistics to site. The locals will tell you they are an eyesore, a blight and nothing but trouble! The police, will tell you they are everywhere but the jails and there are little reports of criminal behavior.
My colleague, is a Cornell graduate. She is from El Savador. Holding back the tears she told me, her husband and/or father could be one of these men.
Spanish is not my first language but we pass and them and say "Buennos Dias" Como Est sta" and they smile back with surprise that we even notice them - acknowledge their existence! They dried wrinkled faces tell a story of constant hours in the fields. They hands are calloused from working the corn fields. These are rural people who prefer the country to the city. Putnam County is still rural.
People these are human beings with hopes and aspirations just like anyone who posts here. They humanity is no less than ours. If this is not the place to post this tell me and will put it where is should be.