It was time for change in America
By Cesar Flores
That was the loud cry of the masses as they left their homes to
go to the polling places last November. Most of them were
first-time voters who felt that:
”
It was time for Change.
”
Change from the
”
business as usual
”
attitude of the preceding administration. Perhaps, some did not
really have a full grasp of the workings of our government. They
did know that they wanted change. The status-quo was no longer an
option. I watched a large number of voters struggling to cast their
ballots. After casting their ballots they exited the polling place
with expressions on their faces glowing with a sense of
accomplishment. They had found some Hope.
It was time for change in America
By Cesar Flores
That was the loud cry of the masses as they left their homes to go to the polling places last November. Most of them were first-time voters who felt that: “It was time for Change.”
Change from the “business as usual” attitude of the preceding administration. Perhaps, some did not really have a full grasp of the workings of our government. They did know that they wanted change. The status-quo was no longer an option. I watched a large number of voters struggling to cast their ballots. After casting their ballots they exited the polling place with expressions on their faces glowing with a sense of accomplishment. They had found some Hope.
Hope that the world can be a better place when we all work together in harmony.
I recall in the mid 50s in my early teens, I had to work after school to bring in some money to help set food on our table. I being the oldest of four had the responsibility of picking up the slack where it was needed. At the time, my father made $19 a week working in a gas station. I worked in a coffee shop in Abilene, Texas, where I was paid 35 cents per hour for washing pots and pans, busing tables, scrubbing, and waxing floors.
Abilene at the time was, and probably still is, the processing center for all branches of the military. This means that all of the individuals going into the military that were drafted or volunteered were processed in Abilene. These individuals were given “meal tickets” to present at this local coffee shop to pay for their meals during their processing. The only problem with this was that the Coffee Shop has a big sign in the window stating “White Only.” This meant that all non-white (Latino, Asian, Black, Native American and others) young men and women going into the military, to put their life on the line in defense of Democracy and protect our country, had to enter through a dirty and smelly back alley to be served by a young man who could also not enter through the front door and be served.
Today, we have a very well-educated young man of color sitting in the White House. Our country has HOPE for a better future.
Cesar E. Flores is a Hollister resident and a veteran actor of the state, television and film.
