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I moved to Oregon from Colorado where nearly 50% of the population is non-white/European. I saw rampant discrimination as a child but also grew up in an era of increasing tolerance. Moreover, my career made it imperative to know Spanish. Having spent the last ten years working in kitchen beside immigrants who may or may not be legal, who may or may not be using their real name/SS#, I saw first hand the effects and difficulties of being here in the US yet remaining invisible. I also recognize if I had choice of hiring an immigrant or a citizen, I would hire the immigrant: they work harder, learn faster and do more to succeed than their lazier, white coworkers. Listening to the program I thought of all the immigrants I knew in kitchens and if I could hire all of them at once, I'd have one heck of a staff. Thanks for your hard work, Polo.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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