A Californian Opinion

When you hear the phrase “California resident” what image comes to mind?

Blonde surfers catching a wave on the SoCal beaches
Hippies gathering on the streets of Berkley to sing songs of peace and love
Oakland gangsters doing drive by shootings or dealing drugs
Sacramento delta farmers growing corn or artichokes
Rich women spending a fortune on handbags and shoes on Rodeo drive
College kids roaming from frat party to beach party in the warm San Diego sunshine
A drove of nerds creating computer games in Silicon Valley
A business man catching a ride to work on a cable car in San Francisco
Rich, well dressed couples sipping red wine in Napa Valley

Although stereotypical, these descriptions are commonly communicated by the media as images of California life.

California is a unique area of the world, and our racial mix is well known. As a long time resident of the state, locals tend to describe a typical “California resident” in some very surprising ways. I asked friends and coworkers an they almost always responded with an answer that identified race. Simplified, the comments were mostly:

1. Mexican farm workers
2. White businessmen
3. Black gangsters
4. Asian restaurant owners
5. Middle Eastern store owners

It is not unique that Californians recognize racial differences in others. What is so surprising, is that even in an area as diverse as California RACE is still in the forefront of people’s thoughts and perceptions. I think this an important realization, in order to know how far we have traveled, and yet still have to come.

I am involved in a multicultural relationship. I am Caucasian, and my boyfriend is Central American. I know that he experiences racism in California, and is looked down upon because of his tan skin and Hispanic culture.

Employment:
His employers in the service industry, downplay and overlook his accomplishments, while holding him to a much more stringent standard of dress, appearance and speech. The subtle slights over time are not performance related. It seems (in my opinion) to be an idea that he has to EARN the right to have the same privileges given to his co-workers who are not Hispanic.

I never acknowledged the reality that this behavior existed, being a California native. Now that I have realized this treatment goes on, I see it in case after case. I see car wash workers, domestic help and farmers, landscapers and factory workers all mostly Hispanic, and I see them working very hard, in many cases for low wages and little benefits. I see restaurant kitchen staff, but very few Hispanic waiters. I see Hispanic grocery stockers or checkers, but very few who are managers. I see construction and trade workers who are Hispanic, while the business owners and top management are not.

Similarities:
I know in my heart, that our cultural differences had no bearing on our decision to have a lasting relationship. In our case we were brought together by a shared outlook on life- our hard working lifestyles, our love of travel and good red wine. We have very similar moral standards, although raised in different countries.

Differences:
I see the differences as a set of preferences. I may like bread with my dinner, and he prefers tortillas, or the opposite. I love Mexican food, while he does not always like the California version of his cultural foods. He likes to watch the news in Spanish, although he speaks and writes fluent English, it is easier not to have to translate, after a long day of work.

I like to believe we are part of the generation of California Americans who will begin to break down some of the cultural stereotypes, and understand that we are all just people. We all want to work hard and then retire early enough to enjoy it. Everyone wants to give a better life to our children.

Racial differences will become less important, as we realize the value of cros s-cultural relationships. My hop is that as these relationships develop more and more, focus will shift, from race to relationships. California is still a great place to accomplish these goals, together.