Once Upon a Time in America

Once upon a time in America, a boy and a girl grew up. Although they grew up in separate states, they managed to meet and marry. They raised 4 children on one income; his. He worked very hard for the same company for 28 years. Despite his loyalty, however, when times got tough, the company told him, "Due to business conditions, we are letting you go."

The husband and wife were not sure how things would fall out, but were optimistic. After all, this is America, where anyone can do anything and be successful, if they try. And try he did. He looked and looked for work, interviewing, being rejected, interviewing again, and, finally, finding another company that wanted him.

He worked hard for this company, spending more and more time there. His family knew he had to work hard, so did not begrudge the company his time and attention. They knew he loved them and wanted the best for them. And this was America, where anyone can be successful if they try.

Then came the fall, and time to choose another President, another administration to, well, administer the government. Although the couple were not happy with the winner of this election, they knew they were blessed with a government that would stay strong and stable, despite a radical change in philosophy and direction. Then came this incident.



The husband came home, ranting about the speaker, and his words. The wife tried to calm him down, but they both felt uncomfortable. Here, in America, hard-working people could be denied work because of the color of their skin? Hadn't decent people fought a hard battle to make sure that didn't happen again?

And the next night, he came home, depressed and despairing. "You have to get a job," he said. "You're the only one who can get ahead for us, because you're a woman." She asked, "Why? What happened?" He had headed to work that day happy and content to be working very hard for a company and product he believed in. He spoke with his manager that day, a woman who called him a "Rockstar," a golden man who could do anything she asked and more. She told him, "I will be moving on in the next couple of years. And I will be handing my position to the best person suited for the job. And it won't be you." As much as she wanted it to be him, she couldn't do it...because he was a man. As the position is currently held by a woman, giving it to a man "would be a step backward." She is not happy with this. In fact, she had just had to turn in a "dissertation," a lengthy and detailed explanation of why another man who reported to her should be promoted instead of a minority. Never mind that he's been with the company 38 years, and that there is no one else even ready to be considered for the promotion; "We have too many white, male professionals," she has been told.

So I have committed a faux pas and married a white male professional. And, for my crime, I may be heading off to work at a time when my daughter needs me at home most. Once upon a time in America...