Well, here I go. I think that we all have some crazy things happen to us as young people. but why on earth would my father ask such a question. I was 12 years old, 1969, a brother in the war, and my dad worried to death, literally! He watched Walter Cronkite 's death toll every night. It was stressing him out. What triggered the "changing my name was the next chain of events.
It was over getting hurt at work, smashing his fingers, safety violation. His English was terrible, he was fired.
He came home, his first son off to Vietnam, no friends, neighbors moved out, 4 daughters, and he had enough. ( he thought).
He cornered me, and said to make in this country, you need to can change your name, I just looked at him and said " no". I liked my name, you and mom gave it to me, and I am o.k..
It was the first time I saw the race card. I did not like it either. That's not what you have been teaching this whole family. Of course I was saying that to myself.
All the hard work he had accomplished payed off. He was given his job back one week later.
He had went to a trade school and could weld anything. During the mid 50's he went to school at night and worked by day. The company and the union came to a resolution and his personal spoke for it self. That was the oddest week at 12, that I can remember for now. so I will write tomorrow!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sheding the light on the name change!
Well, just to go back to the age of 6, it will shed some lite on why my father asked "if you wanted to change your name, it would be o.k..
At 6 years of age we had just moved from the small Hispanic neighborhood's of Detroit, to Indpls IN. We moved to a catholic neighborhood that was made of 1 (one) Hispanic family, integrated with many ethnic people. The difference was Detroit, already corrupted. As far as I considered, Indy It was awesome! At such a young age, I was not aware of the reality of why, when we moved into are first home, both next door neighbors moved out!
So it went, my siblings and I went on, while our parents coveted the things we did not really need to see. They both believed, and still believe, in living the American dream. They are true patriot's. At all cost, they were going to make sure we all accepted the things we could control, and pitch those we couldn't.
My only brother, the oldest, went on to be a marine corp., rather than being drafted. He became a citizen during boot camp, and went to Vietnam. He, also a great patriot, I was then 10.
At 6 years of age we had just moved from the small Hispanic neighborhood's of Detroit, to Indpls IN. We moved to a catholic neighborhood that was made of 1 (one) Hispanic family, integrated with many ethnic people. The difference was Detroit, already corrupted. As far as I considered, Indy It was awesome! At such a young age, I was not aware of the reality of why, when we moved into are first home, both next door neighbors moved out!
So it went, my siblings and I went on, while our parents coveted the things we did not really need to see. They both believed, and still believe, in living the American dream. They are true patriot's. At all cost, they were going to make sure we all accepted the things we could control, and pitch those we couldn't.
My only brother, the oldest, went on to be a marine corp., rather than being drafted. He became a citizen during boot camp, and went to Vietnam. He, also a great patriot, I was then 10.
Friday, April 10, 2009
A Story from Dad
When I was about 12, my father told me that if I wanted to change my name, he would understand? Yeah, what huh, what do you mean!
The bottom line, he drove the bus, and right before my eyes, he saw the American way. I listened watched. In his view, live and speak the language, and the opportunities were endless. He a simple, but wonderful father who paved the way for me, and my sisters, one brother, with our GREEN CARDS, at hand. He did it the right way. ' Don't forget where you came from, he would say' He showed us, by trying, rather than complaining, living in AMERICA was on opportunity, and a honor. As you can see I loved my parent's, They are still living the AMERICAN DREAM.
So, as life has flew by, in all my up's and down's I love this country. With all it's faults, It's still the most wanted place to be. Don't listen to all that bull, we are spoiled, need to be put in our place. They are all jealous !!!. All this division is driven with in. It will make you wonder ?
The bottom line, he drove the bus, and right before my eyes, he saw the American way. I listened watched. In his view, live and speak the language, and the opportunities were endless. He a simple, but wonderful father who paved the way for me, and my sisters, one brother, with our GREEN CARDS, at hand. He did it the right way. ' Don't forget where you came from, he would say' He showed us, by trying, rather than complaining, living in AMERICA was on opportunity, and a honor. As you can see I loved my parent's, They are still living the AMERICAN DREAM.
So, as life has flew by, in all my up's and down's I love this country. With all it's faults, It's still the most wanted place to be. Don't listen to all that bull, we are spoiled, need to be put in our place. They are all jealous !!!. All this division is driven with in. It will make you wonder ?
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