Griffin Speaks

FERNANDO DAVILO
A RISING STAR

Mi amigo Fernando es un hombre trabajador.  Él es muy confiable y hace un trabajo excelente.  Él es enseñándome cómo hablar y escribir a español.  Espero a un día sea tan fluido con la lengua española como mi amigo hispánico.  Se parece como si to do el Fernando habla es su familia.  Él está esperando traer a su familia a Montgomery pronto. My friend Fernando is a hard working man.  He is very reliable and does excellent work.  He is teaching me how to speak and  write  Spanish.  I can hardly wait for the day that I am fluent with the Spanish language like my Hispanic friend Fernando.  It looks like all Fernando speaks about is how much he loves his wife, Beatrice and their lovely kids. Fernando is hoping to bring his family to Montgomery soon. He already has a beautiful home waiting for them. 

I met Fernando while I was visiting one of my rental houses. He was next door and needed to use my phone. We engaged in a brief conversation and I allowed him to use my phone. We became fast friends. Fernando has introduced me into the Hispanic world of Montgomery, Alabama. Our Mexican brothers and sisters are enjoying their new home, however they are encountering some discrimination. On Saturday, April 30, 2005 Fernando went to a local white BarberShop and told the barber that he wanted a haircut. The Barber an old white man told Fernando that he was Booked for the Day! There was only one other person in the shop waiting for a haircut. The Barber did not want to cut Fernando’s hair because he was a Mexican! Once I learned of this blatant discrimination I invited Fernando to visit my barber, Rev. Oscar Cook, owner of the famed “COOK’S BARBERSHOP”. I asked Rev. Cook if he could cut straight hair? He responded that he could cut any type hair. I sat there as Rev. Cook cut Fernando’s hair. When Rev. Cook finished with Fernando’s haircut, Fernando looked like Andy Garcia. Fernando was pleased with his haircut and the message was sent to our Mexican brothers and sisters that they are welcomed in our neighborhoods and businesses. Me senté allí mientras que Rev. Cook cortó el pelo de Fernando.  Cuando Rev. Cook acabó con el corte de pelo de Fernando, Fernando parecía Andy Garcia.  Fernando estuvo satisfecho con su corte de pelo y el mensaje fue enviado a nuestros hermanos y hermanas mejicanos que están dados la bienvenida en nuestras vecindades y negocios. 

I pray and hope that this growing Hispanic population will remember African American candidates when its time to elect candidates that have their best interest at heart. Fernando is spreading the word! Fernando está separando la palabra!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com