I grew up in rural AZ, where at the time it seemed like Caucasians were outnumbered by Hispanics. As a young adult one of my closest friends was Hispanic. She had 9 children, and her mother didn't speak English. I would go to her house, and she and her mother would teach me to cook Mexican. While grinding up red peppers and making tortillas over a hot griddle, her mother and I would communicate via smiles and points and chatter that neither of us understood, while kids ran around playing and laughing.
I already diaried my gay history... I won't go into it again. But I had friends of all kinds (and still do). I had gay friends, I had Hispanic friends, I had upper middle class and lower middle class, and poor friends. I had African American friends, and Apache friends.
I was unaware then of how unusual it can be to be exposed to so much diversity as a kid and young adult.
All that mattered to me was that someone was kind to me. As in the case of my friends mother, it didn't even matter that she didn't speak English. She took time out for me and taught me the secrets of good homemade tortillas and chili.
Recently a Republican friend said how mad it makes her to have to push 1 for English. Really? not having to push one button is worth more than all you can learn from someone who is just a little bit different from you?
Why would some prefer to live in a white bubble than to acquaint themselves with culture and people who can enrich them beyond measure?
I am saddened by the changes in our country, and in Arizona especially. Because at the end of the day, we are just human, trying to live our lives the best we can in an often hostile environment.
I learned much from my Hispanic friends. Their families were large and friendly. Sometimes they squabbled and fought among themselves, but at the end of the day, they were family no matter what.
And at the end of the day, we are all Americans, no matter what. We are all in this together.