2012 conventions 2012 election 2013 session arts arts and culture author ballot measures basketball bomb books boy scouts budget bullying business charlie hales children clackamas climate change coal college courts crime culture culture club democrats drugs economy education environment family film fluoride food gay rights guns handguns health health care health insurance high school history housing immigration internet kitzhaber law legislature lgbt literary arts living marijuana marriage media medicine mental health military minor parties mohamed mohamud movies music native americans news newspaper obama olympics oregon our town parenting pers photography police politcs politics port portland portland business journal president prevention public safety religion republicans rnc romney rural salem sam adams sandy hook schools science shooting sports suicide supreme court taxes technology terrorism theater third parties transportation union university of oregon washington wildfire women

I enjoyed hearing Carmen speak about her experiences in the Independence area.
In the late 50's and early 60's I picked crops as a "town" kid, but I also volunteered in the camps including Green Villa to lead educational programs for kids including teaching art, reading and leading games and activities. During highschool I worked for a time in the camp store. I loved all the people I met. I became friends with many of the children and families. I also loved going to the Mexican dances in Independence. I will always remember those because entire families would participate from grandmothers to toddlers.
I so respect the migrant people. They overcame great odds to come to our Oregon Communities. They also had to overcome prejudice and discrimintation.
It seems as though at that time they were not welcome at the town swimming pool. The excuse was that they didn't pay taxes. People forgot how much money our community made from the labor of those workers. Sincerely Margaret Nura Clegg

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
view in context