Here's a guy who works hard for a living. Palm Springs is a funny place. In fact the whole Coachella Valley is mute about immigration, at least to my recollection.
We've got a slew of gardeners here who reseed (we have two types of grasses, and one requires scalping the surface to put rye seeds in to grow during winter); mow, clip, plant and all the rest.
I say kudos to them, cause without them our Valley would look like so many other places in the United States--unkempt. We're lucky here cause of these people,
Heck if I care if they're from Mexico. I like Mexico. I think a lot of the anti-immigrant talk is of the racist persuasion.
Gee, that's awfully political for a daily photo blog.
The American economy would completely collapse without immigrants - and especially the illegal ones who keep the world of child minding, gardening and agricultural work ticking over. At less than minimum wages, and often inhumanely exploited...
ReplyDeleteI walk and bike around Palm Springs with a big Michoacan cowboy hat, and the reactions are fascinating to watch. From the legions of Mexican laborers, gardeners, busboys, maids, nurses, store clerks, and bus riders, there is curiosity, amazement, and a residual fear that a gringo is running around with a "vaquero" sombrero and possibly making fun of them. From fellow gringos, the reaction is curiosity, amusement, and an initial racist reaction that a Mexican is somewhere where they ought not to be. (The real reason I wear the sombrero is that it's beautifully made, comfortable, somewhat sexy and shields my skin-cancer-prone skin comfortably from the sun.)
ReplyDeleteThe Coachella Valley is essentially in Mexico. It's something I feel every time I'm there, and it's part of what makes the place special. And your appreciation for that fact makes your daily photo blog all the better. Don't worry about your statement being too "political." Everything is political.
Thanks, SFmike and Sally for the comments : )
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