Friday, May 05, 2006

El Cinco de Mayo

Why is it that wherever I go, immigration almost always seems to be a touchy issue? In South Africa they are worried about the "kwere kweres", in England it's all about these foreigners taking "our" jobs and abusing the NHS and here in the States is about the Latinos taking over our country.

To some degree I feel I've had a great deal of acceptance in this country, California to be precise, as compared to England. It's almost as though people here are overwhelmed with the fact that I've seen a bit of the world. Whereas in England... where should I start?

I remember getting my job at a post office way back in 2003. I was greeted with much reservation, particular because of my nationality and at the time Zimbabwe was making serious headlines. [ it still is!] The guy who hired me on didn't two shoots where I was from but some of the old English post office salt and pepper hair types put their guard on. Even some of the regular customers, in particular the old ladies collecting their state pensions, would rather wait than be served by me. Me being me just turned a blind eye. After all, this wasn't my country and why should I complain?

Also to some degree, there seems to be a glass ceiling in England. The old school tie and the golf club membership play crucial roles in being hired and advancing in one's career. I may be wrong but that's the idea I got. In order for me to be on level playing ground I'd have to be twice as good as the guy I'd be competing with. My old school tie points to Southern Africa, I attend a "new" university and I can't afford the golf club subscriptions (yet!) so I wonder what sort of future lies ahead for me on the tiny mud island.

The Californians that I've had the pleasure of working with and forming relationships with have been extremely straight up with me. Before some corporate lunches I'm even asked to use some of my bragging rights and spice up conversations with a bit of a culture banter on Zimbabwe. It keeps clients entertained, which is good if you want them to sign on the dotted line. I don't really think people in England are this relaxed to even care for my five cents worth. It's too cheap, too colonial.

Much as I'd like to bask in my new found appreciation in the corporate scene, I believe that plenty goes by unnoticed from the 50 million invisible immigrants from south of the border. One doesn't have to look too far to see hispanics playing almost the backstage crew in keeping life's grand theatre in action: street sweepers, garbage collectors, security guards, newspaper boys, the nannies, the guy at the fast food counter, the bus boy at that restaurant...

This lady I work with even confessed to me that she'd rather leave her kids with the nanny than her own sisters. That alone speaks volumes about trust and assurance. So today, I'll also celebrate El Cinqo de Mayo because I know what it's like to work your butt off in a foreign country and receive very little appreciation.

posted by mpenseli @ 4:26 PM