[PEN-L:8752] Real live racism

[Michael Perelman <michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On the corner where I live some Hmong grow strawberries and sell them
from their stand.  Tonight, some bright locals decorated the stand with
a swastica and wrote in big letters, "Chinks smell like shit."

The Hmong work their fields tirelessly.  I was sort of a god father for
one of the young Hmong so I got a glimpse of how they live.  The father
was a village chief.  He used to make his own knives behind our place,
hammering them out of scrap and making fancy handles.  But while he was
a hero at home -- deluded by the drug lord Vang Bao (I may have the name
wrong) -- he is a lost wretch here humiliated with nothing but his
work.  Sad to see such a waste.

All the while our young rednecks drive about with their heads held high,
undoubtedly proud of the contribution to the public art of our
community.

I though to myself that I wish that we could find a way to help others
understand the humanity of those who differ from ourselves -- at least
outwardly -- instead of jabbing at each other.

Fortunately, the list has taken a turn for the better in the last few
days.  Thanks to all -- especially those whom I have recently rebuked.

--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx