PECOS ENTERPRISE

When he first handed it to me I only read the midsection of it and,
although the essence of the letter itself merited attention, I didn't
realize at the time it was written by a former Pecos resident.

Anyhow, the letter was written by Alex Gonzales, who now lives in San
Antonio. The 20-year-old stated that at a young age he and his mother
moved to Pecos, where he attended elementary through high schools.

He continued that while in the sixth grade his teacher, which he named
in the letter, told him he, "would never amount to anything and that I
would end up picking cotton the rest of my life because it was a `white
world' and that I had to be white to succeed."

Let me see, he's 20 now, was probably 11, maybe 12 then...eight or nine
years ago...1988, maybe 1989.

I've heard about this sort of attitude toward minority students when my
mother was in school. It even existed during the early years of my
primary education, but I find it abhorrent that it persisted during the
last decade of the 21st Century and probably continues to destroy many
young lives.

"Well (teacher) this one is for you...(I) am currently pursuing a
degree in computer programming. For the record, I am proud of who I am
and for what I stand for. Being a Mexican-American in the '90s is hard,
but not impossible."

I think Mr. Gonzales holds a very healthy attitude. I'm just sorry he
had to experience the apparent attempt to shatter his dignity and self
esteem and carry it with him at such an early age and for so many years.

He obviously did well for himself and hopefully will continue to do so.

Mr. Gonzales' letter was entitled, "Education is the Key". This is so
true, but also in the sense that part of this man's determination was
sparked by a figure in "education" imposing such a negative attitude on
his being.

It bothers me, however, to think of how many other Hispanic or other
minority children don't endure because they take to heart what a teacher
or other influential figure told them at such a cogent point in their
lives.

Although Pecos' population is primarily Hispanic, I see hints of racism
here and there. Always have.

It doesn't bother me anymore, for I figured out that nobody chooses to
be ignorant.

I was extremely antisocial for a good while and it took me a long time
to break out of a shell that was put there by the many stares, scowls
and comments by persons who didn't have the faintest idea of the impact
their actions had - or maybe they did.

My brief college experience really helped to completely break the
barrier.

I struggled but I finally understood that I am who I am and other
people will just have to learn to live with it.

I'd like to thank Viso Natividad for bringing the letter to my
attention. It made for a very important column topic.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mari Maldonado is an Enterprise reporter whose column
appears each Monday.

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