I don't know if I can express what I'm feeling right now, but I have to get it off of my chest somehow.  

On Sunday after teaching Sr Hi Sunday School at church I drove to Cincinnati to see a good friend whose mother-in-law died.  The reason I went that distance for only about three hours with them was that I knew that in the previous two weeks he and his wife had been there prior to her death and the five days waiting for some of the family to return from overseas for the funeral NO ONE in the family would speak with him other than when it was required.  His wife also was shunned, and told that she was "not needed" by her sisters.  What was the heinous offense he had committed?  He had the gall to be born to a mother who was born in Mexico!  This is a man who served a four year tour of duty in the Navy as a Marine Corpsman, one of which was in Viet Nam, then served 26 years in the Marine Corps before being medically retired due to wounds suffered in Viet Nam.  

He was decorated four times, including the Silver Star, for his service, plus the Purple Heart with two clusters for being wounded three times.  He also has the highest peacetime medal from the Navy for going into a burning car to rescue a Colonel who was unconscious after hitting a tree.  

After all of this, he is not "American" enough.  

I met him tonight south of Chicago on his way back to Texas for dinner.  He told me that when I showed up at the wake my wife, daughter, and I were the only ones other than one brother in law and two of his wife's aunts who cared about him and spoke with him in two weeks.

I'm still so mad I'm shaking as I try to type this.  What is wrong with people???  That man is worth more than the whole of that family and anyone else who feels that way.  What gives a bunch of redneck hicks the idea that just because they had the fortune of being born where they were that they are better than ANYONE else for any reason?  They may have been born to American born parents, but their ancestors sometime came from somewhere else.

Proud to be the grandson of immigrants!
Jerry

Yikes... sorry that your friend is going through this. all I can say (from experience) bigotry often reveals who your true friends and family are as well as a persons true character.

He and his wife are lucky to have you as his true family.

Tony

I don't blame you for being angry.  I don't get it either.   >:(

Best wishes,

George

Both good and bad come from every walk of life. I attempt to surround myself with the good....no matter where it's roots may be. It's a shame everyone doesn't see it that way.

I used to think that most people needed something to hate or look down upon, now I know they just hate themselves.

B

We're ALL God's children, Jerry, and he loves us all the same - despite our flaws. The hardest part for us is trying to love them all the same, just like he does. I know for a fact that it's one of the most difficult things for me.

I feel sorry for them Jerry.

They're losing the joy of a lot of good people in their lives. Its their loss whether they see that or not.

Like cab drivers that are "picky" about choosing which fare to take. We've a long way to go.

Charlie

Charlie I hear you my friend.....

I grew up in a country that was torn apart by religious bigotry. My Grandfather was disowned by his family for having the gall to marry a catholic.

I believe education is the key...!

At least they have educated caring friends... ;)


Lefty...!

Hey lefty - what part of Ireland are you from? My family are in Galway. Parents and one brother for the moment, possibly two within a couple of months!

My dad comes from an English C of E family and my mother is an Irish Catholic - I hear ya

wrote on Apr 8^th, 2009 at 12:09pm:

Hey lefty - what part of Ireland are you from? My family are in Galway. Parents and one brother for the moment, possibly two within a couple of months! My dad comes from an English C of E family and my mother is an Irish Catholic - I hear ya

Hi Lelimey,

Your family come from a beautiful part of the Island. I'm from Tyrone myself and my Grandfather was from Donegal across the border.
Things getting much better over here now except for a few thugs trying to drag us back to the bad old days. The will of the People  however will not let this happen...!

lefty...!
 

Lefty wrote on Apr 8^th, 2009 at 12:06pm:

Charlie I hear you my friend..... I grew up in a country that was torn apart by religious bigotry. My Grandfather was disowned by his family for having the gall to marry a catholic. I believe education is the key...! At least they have educated caring friends... ;) Lefty...!

My mother's parents refused to attend her wedding because she, a German Lutheran..was marrying an Italian Catholic.

Sadly.......everytime you think we're making advances in that area...we keep taking HUGE steps backwards.... :'(

Joe

You are a good friend Jerry.  [smiley=hug.gif]

I don't get bigotry/bigots and I never will.  You are right Helen, it is their loss.

Beth

Lefty I think Galway is gorgeous but I'm naturally prejudiced! My uncles wife (she used to insist she was NOT a relation) was from Donegal and like the song, I used to go out with a Donegal Danny when I was younger LOL

I've only been to Portrush.Antrim in the North (unless you count driving through Belfast etc to get there which I don't!) I went with my ex and he wouldn't even to take me to see the Giants Causeway while we were so close.. I still have a cob on about that LOL (Only ten years ago!)