Work left a bad taste in my mouth…I think that’s all I can say about that.
On the drive home…I listened to this beautiful story about a Filipino woman who wanted to study in America.
She wrote a letter to President Kennedy and asked for help with her student visa. In his own way, he answered back. I love how Lourdes Markley stayed persistent in her quest for an American education. And my heart trembled as she recalled one time when a professor at Seattle University told her she wouldn’t make it as a teacher. I know what it’s like to have people say you won’t make it…that you can’t follow your dreams because they say you don’t have what it takes. I admire people like Lourdes who continue to work on goals, like carving out career path — all in spite of those low expectations. And screw the people who try to bring you down with such negative vibes. I’m glad Lourdes proved that professor wrong…and I’m happy to follow in the footsteps of all immigrants who’ve had to prove they’re capable of being whatever they want to be.
I suspect immigrants like Lourdes and members of my family have faced low expectations in the job market because of the sound of their voices and cultural backgrounds. But once they had an opportunity…they worked hard to make it count.
Folks, I’m trying to stay positive while living and working inside the Bible Belt. Stories like this help.