I can't actually say that I know what my readers imagine a Dallas/Fort Worth suburb is like, but I'd like to describe my visit to the U.S. Post Office today (Friday). I think you will be surprised. This was not a Post Office in either Dallas or Fort Worth but in my little suburb.~
The first guy in line was a large Mexican man in a wheelchair. Behind him was a young black lady. On the back of her T-shirt was a biblical verse about victory. I found this particularly interesting, because behind that lady was a Pakistani Muslim family of three. The teenage daughter was wearing a head scarf, but the mother's had fallen to her shoulders. The little boy was sweet and gave me a big smile when I walked in. I wondered if they had read the biblical passage on the back of the black lady's T-shirt. I noticed the teenage Muslim girl staring intently behind me and turned to see that the lady behind me was Indian.
~
Behind the Indian lady was a very short tubby white guy. He was followed by a girl that was a Pacific Islander. As a matter of fact my suburb has one of the largest populations of this particular Pacific Islander group in North America (Wikipedia). Our local grocery stores know this and we have very interesting food choices.
~
So anyway if you thought my suburb was all white bread, Ken and Barbie, you were mistaken. When I was in the post office, I felt like I was in the United Nations. And I loved it.
8 comments:
When I first moved to this town I was very aware how 'white' it was. In the past decade it has changed greatly. Our life here is much more colourful now.
You'll have to fill us in on the Pacific Islander food. (please)
Gee, as I was reading your post, before I even got to the part about Pacific Islander food, I was thinking how interesting it would have been if you could have gotten a recipe from each person in line...and of course given them one of your own. A U.S. Post Office Recipe Exchange!
What! No Irish?!? Oh, yeah. Probably still recovering from the festivities of your previous post.
Seriously though, I would have believed in the myth. Thanks for busting it.
That is very interesting! And it sounds like Los Angeles! So, there you go....It's nice to know that your suberb is such a cross-section of the world! And you ceratainly have busted a myth.
What do you think it is that attracted so very many Pacific Islander people? There must be a reason, yes?
Violet Sky,
~~Since you like photography, I should go to that grocery store and take some pictures.
Carole,
~~You are gastronomically braver than I am. I would only want a recipe from th Mexican man.
LGS,
~~Glad to be edumacational for ya.
Naomi,
~~I have absolutely no clue. Their islands are gorgeous, their weather is perfect. Maybe the politics made them move (and we are right next to the airport). Seriously, I have no idea why they are here. Apparently they are not into geographic beauty.
Sounds like Montreal. Though I'm not in the burbs. Gotta love when the burbs start "de-Barbie-fying".
You're right - I never would have imagined a southern US suburb to be that diverse. What exactly constitutes a Pacific Islander and ditto Violetsky's request on what Pacific Island food would be.
Jazz,
~~I imagine all large cities are pretty diverse.
Xup,
~~They are all from a particular island country in the Pacific Ocean. I just didn't want to say which one. Next time I hit that grocery store, I'll take pictures. I usually shop in another suburb.
Post a Comment