There were incessant portrayals of 'Welfare Queens' in Cadillacs living large everywhere. There were myths in the area I lived in of 'Pig roasts' happening in the basements of the 'flats' , apartment buildings that were 4 or 5 stories high with basements. I'm sure they were as rare as the 'welfare Caddies', but to this day I sometimes he…
There were incessant portrayals of 'Welfare Queens' in Cadillacs living large everywhere. There were myths in the area I lived in of 'Pig roasts' happening in the basements of the 'flats' , apartment buildings that were 4 or 5 stories high with basements. I'm sure they were as rare as the 'welfare Caddies', but to this day I sometimes hear these lies repeated. These myths were about the Puerto-Ricans who started to move into the area in the late 50's. Also Blacks who came in to the area before then. I remember older people saying "Why work hard? If you are not rich, just go apply for welfare." "The best place to be is rich or very poor. then you don't have to work hard and you get what you need." It was racist and untrue, but people believed it.
A small but important point: extremely poor Puerto Ricans began to move to New York in the early 1950's. They came with next to nothing in the middle of the winter, and sent their non-English-speaking kids to my school on the West Side of Manhattan wearing only single-layer cotton dresses, and no coats. How they managed to survive is beyond me. Over the ensuing years they quickly learned the language, filled the sewing machines in the sweatshops on lower Broadway near Houston, and becoming a vital force and great contributor to New York City and mainland America at large. They brought new life - and lots of color, style and joy - to our very grey city as well as developing the marvel of Newyorican cuisine. We are so very much the better for accepting those poor immigrants into our midst. They were, and are, Americans of course.
Porter, It was probably mid 50's that I was aware of them in my Catholic school in Holyoke MA. I remember Sylvia Cartagena when she entered 2nd grade. She wore gold crosses pierced earrings. I asked my father if I could have earrings like that. He said they could be pulled out. I changed my mind. There was also a boy, Iliostoto Mendoza, who was very small with big beautiful eyes. They made such an impression on me that I'm remembering them a long way from 2nd grade.
I was in first grade in NYC in 1950-51 and recall that my mother related a conversation with my first grade teacher at a teacher-parent get-together. My teacher said something like "I've been teaching for 35 years, and look at the trash they give me to teach!" She retired the end of that year. I still recall my buddy Ernesto in third grade, a great kid and a good friend. That was a long time ago.
It’s amazing how brainwashed people are regarding welfare. The biggest recipients of welfare are corporations and the monopolies in this country. Next down the line would be white folks and the military service members and their families. But right wing control of most media outlets tells a completely different story. Because it helps them stay in power.
It kills some of the most hateful when they are told that Puerto Ricans are citizens of this country. Holyoke just elected its first Puerto Rican Mayor. I bet some are grumbling about that. After decades, they are an important part of our population. In Holyoke, they are a majority of the population now. It is a story that is told about quite a few immigrants.
Many, many People still believe it today. they say to live on Welfare and you live like Queens. You get a $1000 phone and get pedicures and eat Lobster and steaks. I read it all the time. Reagan did a good job brainwashing the masses with his untruthfulness.
There were incessant portrayals of 'Welfare Queens' in Cadillacs living large everywhere. There were myths in the area I lived in of 'Pig roasts' happening in the basements of the 'flats' , apartment buildings that were 4 or 5 stories high with basements. I'm sure they were as rare as the 'welfare Caddies', but to this day I sometimes hear these lies repeated. These myths were about the Puerto-Ricans who started to move into the area in the late 50's. Also Blacks who came in to the area before then. I remember older people saying "Why work hard? If you are not rich, just go apply for welfare." "The best place to be is rich or very poor. then you don't have to work hard and you get what you need." It was racist and untrue, but people believed it.
A small but important point: extremely poor Puerto Ricans began to move to New York in the early 1950's. They came with next to nothing in the middle of the winter, and sent their non-English-speaking kids to my school on the West Side of Manhattan wearing only single-layer cotton dresses, and no coats. How they managed to survive is beyond me. Over the ensuing years they quickly learned the language, filled the sewing machines in the sweatshops on lower Broadway near Houston, and becoming a vital force and great contributor to New York City and mainland America at large. They brought new life - and lots of color, style and joy - to our very grey city as well as developing the marvel of Newyorican cuisine. We are so very much the better for accepting those poor immigrants into our midst. They were, and are, Americans of course.
Porter, It was probably mid 50's that I was aware of them in my Catholic school in Holyoke MA. I remember Sylvia Cartagena when she entered 2nd grade. She wore gold crosses pierced earrings. I asked my father if I could have earrings like that. He said they could be pulled out. I changed my mind. There was also a boy, Iliostoto Mendoza, who was very small with big beautiful eyes. They made such an impression on me that I'm remembering them a long way from 2nd grade.
I was in first grade in NYC in 1950-51 and recall that my mother related a conversation with my first grade teacher at a teacher-parent get-together. My teacher said something like "I've been teaching for 35 years, and look at the trash they give me to teach!" She retired the end of that year. I still recall my buddy Ernesto in third grade, a great kid and a good friend. That was a long time ago.
Probably good that she retired.
She was a bigoted piece of work. The classic stern, strict teacher you dreaded seeing every day.
Sounds pretty mean spirited.
It’s amazing how brainwashed people are regarding welfare. The biggest recipients of welfare are corporations and the monopolies in this country. Next down the line would be white folks and the military service members and their families. But right wing control of most media outlets tells a completely different story. Because it helps them stay in power.
It kills some of the most hateful when they are told that Puerto Ricans are citizens of this country. Holyoke just elected its first Puerto Rican Mayor. I bet some are grumbling about that. After decades, they are an important part of our population. In Holyoke, they are a majority of the population now. It is a story that is told about quite a few immigrants.
Many, many People still believe it today. they say to live on Welfare and you live like Queens. You get a $1000 phone and get pedicures and eat Lobster and steaks. I read it all the time. Reagan did a good job brainwashing the masses with his untruthfulness.
I just wonder where you get this idea that people on welfare 'live like Queens.' , It is the republican lie and very sad.