Misguided Presumptions

My experiences in Latin America have had me cross paths with people who are economically poor and typically of the political left. Recently, I have equated this truth with a subconscious presumption I had of Latin@s in the US: Latin@s in the US were leaving their home country for opportunity. Opportunity not afforded to them in their home country, and I presumed because their political party wasn't in power in their home country, or because they did not have the education necessary to succeed financially in their home country. I figured they left because of some injustice. But I recently had my thought altered.

One of the men who works maintenance in my office building is from El Salvador. He must be about 20, 21, maybe 22. I learned this a month or so after starting there as we began to talk one day. We shared a little bit about our love for papusas and different places around San Salvador, and as time has gone on we have chatted here and there. A few weeks ago, El Salvador had their presidential elections. It was between many parties for sure, but the main two were ARENA (mainly of the right) and FMLN (of the left). Long story short (a VERY long story) the FMLN won. I was very excited, and two days later went to mention it to my Salvadoran friend at the office. I expected him to share the same excitement. I expected this young man from El Salvador in the US would clearly want the progressive candidate in power. Oh Silly Santi.

He told me, "It's bad". And he said it with a knowledge and understanding that would echo the tone of many US Americans in early November of 2004. At that point, either humbled or confused, I kindly said, "oh yeah, well, we will see..." and dropped the conversation quickly. I was taken.

Then, just this weekend, Marina and I were in an IHOP and it was evident our waitress was from Latin America. We got to talking to her, and were trying to guess her accent. It turned out she was from Ecuador, Guayaquil nonetheless and I was sharing with her some information of other Ecuadorians I knew in the area. Of course, here I am thinking, once again, that she had little other options in Ecuador and came to the States for better financial opportunities. Oh, how ignorant of me, for it's not always about money and economical justice and opportunity.

She had married a US American and moved here, but not before graduating with a degree in medicine as a doctor in Ecuador. Again I just thought, wow, open your mind Santi!! When did it get so shut. And now, as Marina had mentioned to me, the humbling act she goes through daily, serving customers at an IHOP when she has a degree in medicine, which she would have to retest for licensing here in the States. But I guess we learn and remember.

I remember when I was younger and a great soccer coach of mine told me, "everyone has a story" and the more we learn, the more profound that simple statement becomes.