Cool Friday
When Maria was 10 years old she traveled with her parents and siblings to the north part of the country to pick vegetables each summer. This was in the time of the 1960's for Maria and her family. They were migrant workers who lived in Texas and drove an old station wagon to places like Minnesota and Wisconsin every year to make some money. Obviously it was worth the trip in transportation costs because that family did this every year. They were not alone as migrant workers, virtually all of a brown color and Latino culture went in droves each harvest season to capitalize on the the opportunity the farmers provided with their bounty.
Maria had 17 brothers and sisters. Her mother bore 17 children and adopted another child who was to be fair to say, abandoned. This huge clan were a close cohesive unit who were hard and industrious workers. Most of their fellow workers were from Mexico, who when finished for the season would go back to their home country. Some however found permanent jobs in the north country, which by the way were hard to find; for anyone, local resident or immigrant. But Maria's family were American citizens and as I said, lived in Texas where they had a big home. They also had town general store and owned several houses they rented to the poorer, or should I say, less ambitious members of the small town in Texas.
Some of Maria's siblings would stay in Wisconsin or Minnesota as the years went by, who to this day, are successful people with great jobs and careers. Maria's family, humble yet confident have prospered.
When Maria tells of her past experiences of living on those farms and the conditions they were given to live in while they made their money and took advantage of an opportunity, she shows no, or expresses no resentment. It's just a matter of fact that she lived in a nice big house in the winters, then switched to living next to the animals in the summer. In fact the glow on her face and the goodness of her heart seem to be a result of having such a rich experience.
The farmer who provided such an opportunity for these workers could see nothing wrong with having people live with the livestock. Since they were migrants, the farmer assumed, the housing they had was probably better than that from which they came.
I, Ricky boy, have actually lived on a ranch that treated migrants the same way. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. I spoke to the ranch owners onetime about this situation, and I could not believe their attitude towards having some of their workers live in such squalor. After all they were being given and "opportunity", not being exploited.
Perhaps someday you shall meet Maria and I ask only one thing of you. Don't tell her you know of her past. But look into her eyes and observe how she treats people. Watch her benevolent deeds, and then be her friend.
Maria had 17 brothers and sisters. Her mother bore 17 children and adopted another child who was to be fair to say, abandoned. This huge clan were a close cohesive unit who were hard and industrious workers. Most of their fellow workers were from Mexico, who when finished for the season would go back to their home country. Some however found permanent jobs in the north country, which by the way were hard to find; for anyone, local resident or immigrant. But Maria's family were American citizens and as I said, lived in Texas where they had a big home. They also had town general store and owned several houses they rented to the poorer, or should I say, less ambitious members of the small town in Texas.
Some of Maria's siblings would stay in Wisconsin or Minnesota as the years went by, who to this day, are successful people with great jobs and careers. Maria's family, humble yet confident have prospered.
When Maria tells of her past experiences of living on those farms and the conditions they were given to live in while they made their money and took advantage of an opportunity, she shows no, or expresses no resentment. It's just a matter of fact that she lived in a nice big house in the winters, then switched to living next to the animals in the summer. In fact the glow on her face and the goodness of her heart seem to be a result of having such a rich experience.
The farmer who provided such an opportunity for these workers could see nothing wrong with having people live with the livestock. Since they were migrants, the farmer assumed, the housing they had was probably better than that from which they came.
I, Ricky boy, have actually lived on a ranch that treated migrants the same way. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. I spoke to the ranch owners onetime about this situation, and I could not believe their attitude towards having some of their workers live in such squalor. After all they were being given and "opportunity", not being exploited.
Perhaps someday you shall meet Maria and I ask only one thing of you. Don't tell her you know of her past. But look into her eyes and observe how she treats people. Watch her benevolent deeds, and then be her friend.
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