The Tea Party supporters and likes of Ann Coulter have the facts right: immigrants have been flooding sanctuary cities ever since the fall of the Berlin Wall. However even before then, a separatist frame of mind has proven inefficient, particularly from the business standpoint. What takes some of us a while to get used to is the new diversity which abounds in our everyday lives. For instance, yesterday at Radio Shack, I was awakened to the uncomfortable fact that not only were both employees at the shop female and minority, but one barely was able to speak English. However in my community, this is the norm; Radio Shack is one of the corporations which is rapidly diversifying, so what's the big deal?

       Isn't this a part of the New Deal in the New World Order? If this country accepts floods of immigrants, shouldn't we citizens be prepared to accept them beyond one generation? Who is "we" anyway? Generally, it is the affluent members of society who drive the demand for extra cheap labor either indirectly or directly.

       Typically, new immigrants, from the Caribbean, Latin America, or Africa flock to church ministries where they can receive charity such as referrals to rooming houses, food banks, and work (there's the rub). The very charities which support these immigrants are influenced by affluent church members who through-the-grapevine offer the precious work opportunities, whether it's housekeeping, gardening, or working as nannies.

       In one of my own priceless Nickel-and-Dime type of experiences (much more authentic than Ehrenreich's tabloid book), I worked as a housecleaner in homes which employed such. Typically, the nanny is a young woman who is allotted a cramped room, surrounded by a sea of dollar-store clothing and not much more than a mattress for furnishings. Naturally, to escape the chains of serfdom or sexual exploitation, such women typically consider motherhood of any type a prime step up in the world.

       With child, wed or unwed, the mere requirements of the babe provides the ticket to visit many new charitable establishments where the family can receive more charity, but more importantly, establish new friendships, and socio-employment networks.

       This is the common experience of countless immigrants today who inhabit many of the urban areas, because of the generous sanctuary policy in the Big Ten cities. The experience for men is not much different than for women, except that many of the older laborers who lack regular work fall into a state of such despair, that they may loiter on street corners all day long.

       Naturally, these immigrants are easy targets for inveigh and criticism. "Twenty Nigerian cab drivers just drove past me, but they stopped for her!" or "That drunk! Tell him to go away!" or "They are illegal aliens, and don't know how to say thank-you!"

       These instinctual reactions foster misunderstandings about the true scale of the New World Order. When countries the world over mostly do not understand or appreciate celibacy or single-child policies, then the world will become overpopulated. Then as now, the overflow will still be bound for the New World---and in particular, North America, where land, education, and work opportunities are perceived as tenable; picture California as the Golden State for depression-era Oklahoma farmers on a global scale.

       Pundits such as Ann Coulter and the Tea Party activists hark back to a time of stoic isolationism; but they also paint a grim picture of life back in the seventies in places such as colonial South Africa, or here in the United States when there were long queues for specialty merchandise held by a monopolizing corporation. While things have undoubtedly swung around 180 degrees, with corporations now boarding at Congressional headquarters (or providing substantial sums as lobbyists), we can (and should) provide feedback through grassroots organizations such as PublicCitizen.org

      A more positive way to look at things also is how we have come at least one step forward in terms of minority female representations. In fact, Radio Shack has always been one of the most socially progressive corporations. As a child, I thrived on their free battery cards; it helped support my hand-held radio's batteries far beyond what my meager allowance could afford. Back then, I adored the workers with their white shirts and burgundy ties. But they were invariably white and male, as were the store managers. So when my uncle (with masters degree in engineering) leased his own store in the L.A. suburbs, it was pretty radical, at least back thirty years ago.

       In fact, when his store was vandalized and robbed, and he was forced out of business, the general mode in social thought or opinion was why he, an Asian-American male would even have thought about or had the audacity to operate his own store.

       Thankfully such backwardness has become widely dispersed due to diversity politics--and also the new world order. For instance, when I was a kid, I couldn't ever have imagined qualifying to work as a salesperson, because of all the special training.

       Today, I can apply to any Radio Shack store I would like to for employment. Their system is now an open system, free for all-comers, just like Target. And thanks to their progressive hiring practices, many more females (and incidentally also minorities) are working in technical sales positions in retail hardware stores such as the Home Depot.

       Both the saleswomen at the Radio Shack store yesterday were very helpful, even though they were initially doubtful about what I meant when I described the TSA cable. Of course I was frustrated that they seemed never to have encountered a cable with a USB connector at one end, and a telephone connector at the other. Times have changed! And of course, I did sort of vent my frustration about their seeming ignorance.

      But between the two of them, I got all the help I needed. One found the TSA cable in her electronic catalog, while the other referred me to a nearby computer accessory store, including the address, and directions of the location. When I asked about a job application, the first salesperson even promptly supplied me the web address!

      Maybe those Tea Party activists such as Ann Coulter need to live slightly less sheltered lives and linger in a challenging urban environment like where I live. Sure, I have my up and down days when I am filled with antinomies, and confusions, and forced to swallow my pride. But other days, one regrets the ingrained prejudices and impatience towards immigrants who have not had the benefit of a decent grade school education to help them understand how good manners might help improve their public perceptions.

      Working at Radio Shack is a heck of a lot better than cleaning houses. Couldn't one try to get along with such cooperative strangers for colleagues, even though they certainly didn't prepare us for this in college? Of course, we can!

      Now if only there were more female construction workers to interview as well....

(image credited to www.jobsatradioshack.com)