Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: I must respond to your reader who wrote about teens who are not getting jobs because businesses are hiring immigrants. I would like to share what a business manager said to me.

I was at a drive-through, and I could not understand what the worker was saying to me. I became quite frustrated because of our failure to communicate with each other.

When I got to the window, the manager handed me my food, and I stated, "You should hire people who speak English." He told me point-blank with no hesitation that "people who speak English don't want to work."

I am sure this is not always the case, but he did give me reason to think. Many people, not only teenagers, goof off on the job and never get anything done.

Just thought I would share a thought on the people who get jobs in America. — Karen

Dear Karen: I have heard that same statement repeated many times. Read on for other comments.

From A.F.: I am an African-American, grew up dirt-poor with no father, and vowed to do something that would help my people. I started a landscaping business and needed a large number of unskilled workers.

Because I knew what it's like not to be given a chance because of my color, I hired many black workers. I am sorry to say my business almost failed because of my zeal to hire on the basis of color.

My workers had problems taking and following instructions.

They would get angry because I expected them to show up on time and then work eight hours.

I went to schools hiring summer workers and trying to make a difference. It was a waste of time. After losing accounts and equipment, I decided to give up trying to hire just minorities. I focused on saving my business and hiring employees who were willing to work.

Today most of my employees are immigrants who speak very little English. They are outstanding employees, and some have worked for me for more than 25 years.

I feel bad about not hiring more of my people, but what do you do when you are told by too many Americans, "You expect me to work, and I don't want to do that"?

From Grady: I hire immigrants because they do not insult my customers or have attitudes. They are good for business.

I am in business to make enough money for my family and my employees. If all of us are not willing to work toward that goal, the business will fail. If the business fails, we all lose.

From J.S.: I kept losing inventory because of employee theft. In every case, the caught employees were Americans. I made some changes to stem the losses. Now I do not lose inventory, and almost all of my employees are non-English-speaking.

From Ron: I was charged with discrimination because I did not hire non-English-speaking people. In order to avoid a lawsuit, I hired three people. In a short time, they became my best workers. Guess what my construction crews look like now. Need I say more?

To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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