Anecdotal, of course, but this sentiment that Hispanics will do what Americans won't extends beyond the farm My grandfather, a Hispanic born and raised in West Texas, became a surveyor out of high...
Anecdotal, of course, but this sentiment that Hispanics will do what Americans won't extends beyond the farm
My grandfather, a Hispanic born and raised in West Texas, became a surveyor out of high school. Over the years, I've gone out with him and worked and he always had Hispanics working on his crew, which, to be fair, typically only required 1-2 men. My grandfather speaks perfect English so it's not like he was picking Hispanics for ease of communication.
It was because they were the only ones willing to consistently weather the hot Texas summers to get the job done.
Every American my grandfather ever hired, quit the job within a few months, save for my father, who worked with my grandfather until he joined the police academy. Generally, the elements were a primary reason. The work itself isn't that difficult. As young as 11-12, I would go out with my grandfather and help him. Usually just carrying stakes and flagging but as I got older, my summers were often filled with "shooting the gun" which was slang for using the Theodolites.
But Texas summers can be absolutely brutal, the work often takes place in densely wooded areas, poison ivy is a frequent irritant, and all manner of flying insects seem to have you in their sights for no apparent reason. More than once, did a point we needed to shoot would land on a damn bee hive. Depending on who you work for, rain can shut down your whole day, and you might not get paid for it. Health insurance was rare and expensive if offered at all. Granted, this was all pre ObamaCare. Texas winters can be brutal as well. Working in an open field that offered no cover from biting winds could make for a miserable day at work, numb fingers and noses.
Eventually, my grandfather stopped hiring Americans and only hired Hispanics. Depending on the days work, he might only pick someone up from a Day Labor center. Assuming he didn't have a regular assistant. Some of the companies he worked for would have their own assistants hired and would assign them to a Party Chief like my grandfather
Its one of the reason I oppose deportation and this demonization of illegal immigrants. I'm not saying they shouldn't have a path to citizenship and absolutely should become citizens if they're wanting to make a life here. But they also regularly do the jobs Americans won't, either because it's too hard for them or they feel it's beneath them.
I know generally the agricultural industry does not view immigrants like the rest of the US. However, there is also a lot of awful situations that migrant workers are exposed to. I hope that this...
I know generally the agricultural industry does not view immigrants like the rest of the US. However, there is also a lot of awful situations that migrant workers are exposed to. I hope that this group also gets out into the migrant community to help those who do not work with good farmers, and can get them out from a bad situation.
Anecdotal, of course, but this sentiment that Hispanics will do what Americans won't extends beyond the farm
My grandfather, a Hispanic born and raised in West Texas, became a surveyor out of high school. Over the years, I've gone out with him and worked and he always had Hispanics working on his crew, which, to be fair, typically only required 1-2 men. My grandfather speaks perfect English so it's not like he was picking Hispanics for ease of communication.
It was because they were the only ones willing to consistently weather the hot Texas summers to get the job done.
Every American my grandfather ever hired, quit the job within a few months, save for my father, who worked with my grandfather until he joined the police academy. Generally, the elements were a primary reason. The work itself isn't that difficult. As young as 11-12, I would go out with my grandfather and help him. Usually just carrying stakes and flagging but as I got older, my summers were often filled with "shooting the gun" which was slang for using the Theodolites.
But Texas summers can be absolutely brutal, the work often takes place in densely wooded areas, poison ivy is a frequent irritant, and all manner of flying insects seem to have you in their sights for no apparent reason. More than once, did a point we needed to shoot would land on a damn bee hive. Depending on who you work for, rain can shut down your whole day, and you might not get paid for it. Health insurance was rare and expensive if offered at all. Granted, this was all pre ObamaCare. Texas winters can be brutal as well. Working in an open field that offered no cover from biting winds could make for a miserable day at work, numb fingers and noses.
Eventually, my grandfather stopped hiring Americans and only hired Hispanics. Depending on the days work, he might only pick someone up from a Day Labor center. Assuming he didn't have a regular assistant. Some of the companies he worked for would have their own assistants hired and would assign them to a Party Chief like my grandfather
Its one of the reason I oppose deportation and this demonization of illegal immigrants. I'm not saying they shouldn't have a path to citizenship and absolutely should become citizens if they're wanting to make a life here. But they also regularly do the jobs Americans won't, either because it's too hard for them or they feel it's beneath them.
I know generally the agricultural industry does not view immigrants like the rest of the US. However, there is also a lot of awful situations that migrant workers are exposed to. I hope that this group also gets out into the migrant community to help those who do not work with good farmers, and can get them out from a bad situation.