A little bit of a true story to make this Tuesday a little more interesting. I am Cuban, I was born in Cuba, came to the U.S. at a very early age, and have been a citizen of this great country for the past 44 years. I’d like to think that after all these years my accent would be either, very slight or non-existent. We Cubans are a varied country of different races, from the very lightest skin tones to the darkest, green eyed, blue eyed, grey eyed, brown, black eyes, blond hair, red hair, black, brown hair…you name it we have it!!! I myself am very tanned with brown eyes, there is no mistaking that I am of Latino descent!! However, as my children and family members can tell you, i have not one bit of tolerance for bigotry!! Now, I moved up to Pittsburgh from Miami four years ago and have lived in the same neighborhood for 3 years. My hubby and I work all day, come home, stay to ourselves, we say good morning and good evening to our neighbors and wave when they go by. That is, until our dog came along, now we walk him and wander past our familiar street. Last Friday, I happened to be walking our dog, Tough Guy; I always carry a bag and always clean up after him, when one of my neighbors, Earl, came up to me and asked in a thick accent that I could not pinpoint, but definitely from the States, that I not let my dog poop in his yard anymore. Not a problem I told him, I respect his request, it is after all, his yard! He said that he understands that I’m not from around here, to which I ask him, ”How do you know that I’m not from around here?”, and Earl says matter of factly “Well, you have an accent and you don’t look like me!” I look at him in disbelief and tell him matter of factly, “ Now Earl, you have an accent also, what part of the country are you from? And no, I definitely don’t look like you, I’m not short, fat and bald!!!” Makes me think of what my ex father in law used to say…Ignorance is Bliss!! SMH!!!!
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 22:42:11 +0000
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