Black Teens Feel the 'Bilingual Preferred' Summer Job Blues
Black Voice News, News Report, Chris Levister, Posted: May 03, 2008
'Don't speak Spanish…can't get the job?'
When San Bernardino High School teens Jazanique Jackson, Ashanae Brown and Kimyen Hawkins decided they wanted to work this summer, they left nothing to chance.
They knew the rules: plan ahead; role play; be positive; adapt; relate and encourage. So when they hit the streets to start their summer job search they were prepared for virtually every eventuality except one.
¿No habla ingles? Can't speak Spanish.
"We were shocked. We applied at places like McDonalds, Burger King and Jack in the Box. We went to shoe stores, pizza parlors and convenience stores. The workers were overwhelmingly Spanish speaking. Pretty much they always ask us, 'Do you speak Spanish?' They said we prefer bilingual," says Jazanique. And, as an American who only speaks English, her answer leaves her without the job. "It's hard when you can't even get an interview because you don't speak Spanish," said Jazanique.
For Jazanique, Ashanae and Kimyen the job hunting experience is both frustrating and sobering.
The unemployment rate among African-American teens is shockingly six times the national rate. This according to the U.S. Department of Labor translates into approximately 296,000 African-American teenagers actively seeking employment who are finding it difficult to secure a job.
It does seem strange to Kimyen who grew up believing jobs are plentiful if you're flexible, motivated and willing to work hard. "It's like three strikes...Black, young and non-Spanish speaking. I'm mad but there is nothing I can do about it. It's not fair."
Cashier-customer exchanges at four national fast food restaurants located at the busy intersection of Mt. Vernon and Washington Streets in Colton bore out many of the teen's frustrations.
San Bernardino High School teens Jazanique Jackson, Ashanae Brown And Kimyen Hawkins are feeling the chill from employers who perfer bilingual workers.
Cashier: "Welcome to McDonalds, can I take your order?"
Customer in Spanish: "Dame dos hamburgesas con queso, un Big Mac, dos papitas fritas y tres sodas." - Translation: "Give me two cheeseburgers, one Big Mac, two fries, three Cokes."
Cashier in Spanish: "¿Grandes o chicas?" - Translation: small or large fries?
Customer in Spanish: "Grande" - Translation: Large
Cashier in Spanish: "¿Algo Mas? - Translation: Anything else?
Customer in Spanish: "¿Puedo usar mi tarjeta?" Translation: Can I use my debit?
Cashier in Spanish: "Si" - Translation: yes
Across the street at the Jack in the Box, the buzz among the all Latino staff was a mix of English and Spanish.
"Necesito mas popotes" That was Maggie Castro, on-duty manager, Saturday, calling for a replenishment of straws in the customer self service bins. "Keep this area clean," said Castro wiping the countertop.
"That's what we're up against. It's a form of discrimination," says Jazanique.
And it brings up the question: is it legal, in America, to require an American citizen to speak a foreign language to get certain jobs?
McDonald's for example employs 465,000 workers worldwide serving more than 26 million customers daily. More than 80 percent of its 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. The food service powerhouse's hiring culture is nothing less than emphatic about its commitment to equal opportunity employment.
The chain has been recognized for it's commitment to diversity by Fortune Magazine, Hispanic Magazine and lauded by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the 30 Best Companies for Diversity.
A statement on the corporation's website says: "McDonalds is committed to recognizing the talents and job performance of all employees and values the contributions that come from people with different backgrounds and perspectives. We believe in developing and maintaining a diverse workforce that will strengthen the McDonald's system."
"I don't think its discrimination. It's more about catering to the customers who come through the door," says Elva Gomez a former manager for Del Taco national food chain.
"Of course, you don't have to learn to speak Spanish to get a job in a fast food restaurant, but in certain parts of the country, like San Bernardino, where you've got the impact of immigration, it certainly limits your chances of getting the job you want," said Gomez.
"You better believe Black teens looking for summer jobs are feeling the impact of immigration," said Gomez. It's worrisome because Blacks are suffering more from the invasion than whites because they (generally) have fewer resources with which to run away from immigration."
"It's a very stressful and difficult dilemma. Sometimes you feel like you're straddling two nations, on one hand you strive for diversity, on the other you are forced to hire people who are best equipped to serve your core customer base. Sometimes that boils down to bilingual preferred," says fast food manager Kevin Ellis who is biracial (Latino/Black) speaks some Spanish and does everything from hire workers to taking customer's orders, cooking food, assembling sandwiches and handing orders to customers.
"I hate to sound so cynical," but the American workplace is turning Spanish very fast. That requires you to learn another language in high school. That's reality." said Ellis.
For Jazanique, Ashanae and Kimyen that reality comes as more teens prepare to seek summer jobs. Citing rising gasoline and food prices among other things, Junior Achievement released the results of an annual survey showing a 22% increase in the number of teens who want to work this summer, says a spokesperson for the nonprofit.
"The job chill is not limited to the fast food industry," insists Miki Nelson who had to apply at 19 different businesses before he got a summer job stocking books at a national retailer.
"In most cases I was asked. 'Do you speak Spanish'? We are being pushed out of minimum wage jobs on every front. Employers are under intense pressure to capture every dollar that comes in the door. Customers want cheap, fast, hassle free everything. What happens to Black inner city kids - whether they get summer jobs or not - is not on their radar," said Nelson.
"When we look in the want ads for jobs we qualify for, they say 'Bilingual, bilingual, bilingual preferred'!" said Nelson. Which he and other Black teens have learned translates into, "If you aren't bilingual, don't bother applying."
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User Comments
gr8holmes on May 24, 2008 at 16:49:45 said:
Thank you , all of my fellow American citizens for your real thinking on this issue. Some of my Ancesters were native to this land,others were brought here to turtle island as slaves in chains, others were Legal Imigrants to this country. All of my Ancesters have given blood and prayers to protect this land, some more than others and for longer. The world is the way it is today, without our thoughts or prayers. We today have to do what we can with what our Ancesters have taught us. We must always protect the land,our country from invasion .
Renee on May 21, 2008 at 13:52:59 said:
The teens should contact the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices. This office protect the rights of U.S. workers. If you believe that you are being discriminated against because of your citizenship status in the hiring or firing process,call 1-800-255-8155 (between 9am-5pm est)
taco bell dog on May 15, 2008 at 19:09:50 said:
Ingmar, how many times do the Hispanics advocate for Black folks ? Answer: NEVER.
The first Spanish you need to learn Ingmar is "Myate" That is the "N" word in Spanish. That is how Black people are viewed by Hispanics.
Your racism will leave you and the Black community out in the cold. After reading your racist diatribe message White guys like me will reject you, and the Hispanics already reject you. THAT IS WHY YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT IS SO HIGH. WHO IS TAKING THOSE JOBS?
They ain't hiring you buddy. THEY NEVER WILL. Even after you learn what "Miate" means.
taco bell dog on May 15, 2008 at 19:06:38 said:
WHY DOES THE 'BLACK' COMMUNITY SUPPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND AMNESTY?
Ingemar Smith on May 13, 2008 at 14:27:12 said:
We really need to be thoughtful about this. As a black male living in Atlanta where immigration is occurring at a brisk pace and Black unemployment amongst youth is high, I can understand the frustrations of a young Black person in this predicament.
The solution is not to side with reactionary Americans in attacking immigrants. Since immigration IS happening and will continue siding with reactionary segments of the population that are overwhelmingly white is the wrong action to take.
Black citizens know that whites in the US have not been and are not friendly to us. This means we need to side with immigrants, not the whites that have made life hard for Black people for centuries.
Use common sense here. I'm not saying that this will be easy. But it is possible. Whereas, trying to convince whites to give us a fair shake has been a centuries long project that has left us very little to show for it. Everything Black people have attained in this country we've gotten ourselves. Whites have opposed ALL OUR GAINS.
What does all of this mean practically? Blacks in the US need to get active in our elementary school system school boards and implement Spanish courses in elementary school, not high school. This is crucial. In high school, it is too late for kids to become fluent in the way that is needed for articulation on a job. Spanish courses in elementary school should be our priority.
The predictable windfalls of this plan will be:
1) Black youth will be competitive in the job market along with immigrants and those whites willing to get with the program instead of playing the fear game they've stuck with for hundreds of years.
2) Blacks and spanish speaking immigrants will forge closer cultural and social bonds if they can communicate more fluidly. This enhanced closeness due to shared languages will be valuable on a political level as these kids become adults who need to form political coalitions.
3) It has been long understood that being bilingual at an early age facilitates better mental faculty in other areas of study. Simply put, learning a second and third language helps you think better in your other courses.
We need to prioritize getting Spanish courses in Black elementary schools. This should be part of a plan for a Black/Brown future in the United States. Don't be tricked by the white nativists who are currently attacking our immigrant brothers and sisters.
Know your friends! Know your enemies! Be smart!
robert demarest on May 13, 2008 at 07:12:53 said:
try going into a mexican restraunt in mesa, there are a lot that speak english poorly, i had ordered a green chili burritto and two cheese enchiladas after paying $7.00 i got one burrito no enchiladas than had to pay more because the mexican did not understand ,oh that restraunt /grill is located next to macdonals off of universtiy and mesa drive ,not rosa's even though there food taste bad too, and where i live they don't care were they throw thier trash i'm tired of cleaning up thier garbage, over half of the mexican tenants are probably illigals at desert palms apartments the maneger told me of one that told her he had too break his lease because he was ilegaly here ,she said well you gave me a birth certificate ,drivers licence social security card , he then stated to her oh that the number we all use
Barbara on May 08, 2008 at 10:39:32 said:
Forgot...if you don't already know...check out info on www.outragedpatriots.com
Real eye openers
Barbara Ortega on May 08, 2008 at 10:38:23 said:
It is OUTRAGEOUS that an American citizen cannot get a job in OUR OWN country unless we speak Spanish!!! These Hispanics CHOOSE to come to OUR country....they are the ones who should be forced to learn OUR English language. It is wrong what is happening to this country because of the Hispanics.
I don't care if they are here to live and work, BUT do it the right way and LEARN OUR LANGUAGE and PAY the same taxes that we do...sales AND IRS...
I HATE to go into a fast food place and you can barely understand the spanish speaking person behind the counter...I WANT a good English speaking person to wait on me!!!
We Americans are being discrminated against and it is time we TAKE our country back before it is totally a Hispanic country and no longer American. And that is what is happening here...
J Maltose on May 07, 2008 at 18:43:34 said:
Americans need to wake up. Get involved and turn off the damn TV. Make some calls. Today, not tommorrow. End illegal immigration.
www.numbersusa.com
Ferndinand on May 06, 2008 at 17:01:14 said:
I don't feel sorry for American in the slightest. If you think nothing of allowing a third world nation and it's people to push you around,even where your own language is concerned, well.........., cry me a river.
brenda f on May 05, 2008 at 14:48:12 said:
Spanglish or English, even the people in mexico especially do not even speak spanish correctly, they are .....well u know...un-educated and a burden on the US as well as mexico..but the mexican government or consulate can fight for the same rights
for thier people as they do in the US. they will go home.. to thier native country...at least the otm's do assimilate into the US. But we Have La Raza and well as other activest groups from South America demanding rights in the US for Mexican citizens...who broke our laws and continue to do so.. did you know the gov't only penalizes "border jumpers with civil pentalties rather than federal penalties?
Annie B on May 05, 2008 at 01:09:35 said:
Mostly 'bilingual' means.... well, lets just say that even if the students SPOKE some Spanish, they probably wouldn't be getting hired.
Bobby on May 05, 2008 at 00:17:20 said:
It is sad that the black leaders don't care about whether black teens can get a job or not because they can't speak of foreign language. Afterall, that's what Spanish is in this nation.
deBeer on May 04, 2008 at 22:29:49 said:
Using Bilingualism to Subvert America
www.stopthenorthamericanunion.com/Subversion.html
Don Miguel on May 04, 2008 at 21:56:47 said:
"It is against the law to discriminate by not hiring a citizen in the U.S. because they don't speak a foreign language."
No it's not if it's a job requirement. I've gotten jobs based on that requirement and that has been a requirement for people that I’ve hired.
The problem in this story is that a lot of employees of McDonalds are illegals. I don't go to McDonalds here in Arizona anymore because I was sick of dealing with employees that didn't even speak English. I'm fluent in Spanish so the language isn't the issue -- it's that McDonalds knows damn well that they are employing illegals!
American Mexican on May 04, 2008 at 21:37:28 said:
Let me remind you that "We Did Not Cross The Border The Border Crossed Us"!
Get over it. Think about this, what would our Country be like without the American Southwest? Would it be like South Africa maybe France who knows?
I am very happy that our Country is geographically what it is today. Latinos have contributed so much to this wonderful nation including land, blood, language, culture etc. Blame your ancestors about your heartaches before you blame me. They are the ones that immigrated to Texas, California etc. If this had not happened you would still be west of the Mississippi.
Love,
American Mexican (11th Generation)
Vietnam Vet
joeyindc on May 04, 2008 at 21:14:27 said:
I feel bad for people immigrating here from a non spanish speaking country who wasted all of their time learning english so that they could get a job here, especially if they came here legally. So we are told to accommidate the needs of the illegals and spanish only speakers, but we are telling other immigrants to do it too.
Carlos Rodriguez on May 04, 2008 at 20:54:33 said:
It certainly is discrimination. AMcDonnald's employee does not need to be Spanish speaker to take an order from an immigrant, or as Elva Gomez a former manager for Del Taco national food chain is quoted on the article saying its "about catering to the customers who come through the door,". What it is about is the inordinately high number of illegal aliens workng behind the counters at any of the fastfood joints and their desire to continue to enjoy that cheap illegal alien labor.
In the United States, speaking a second language should be an added skill, not a required skill, and certainly not in what is considered a bottom rung job like fast food. Shame on McDonnalds for discriminating against American youths just because they speak the language of their country and not that of the horde that has displaced them from their jobs, education and health care. When do we see a movement to boycott employers who require Spanish from their employees? It should have been high time a few years back.
OhReally? on May 04, 2008 at 20:34:03 said:
I thought the reason why black teens cant get a job is because of white folk oppressing them? Channeling Al Sharpton, it\'s a bunch of B>S> because black culture is assimilated into white America in so many avenues....and there are too many differences to count between today and say 1940/ 1950 (in the way blacks were treated versus today)
Ben Martin on May 04, 2008 at 17:20:30 said:
Just another example of how the practice of illegal aliens stealing american jobs, costs american citizens in many other ways. Not only are americans losing jobs to the illegal aliens, they aren't even being considered fo the remaining jobs, because of their inability to speak spanish. Add to this the costs of educating their children, stealing medical car, welfare, lawyers, etc., the costs run into the billions. It is high time, that americans start to treat mexico as the enemy they are, and illegal aliens, as the criminals they are!
Ken deBeer on May 04, 2008 at 16:39:48 said:
The main trouble is that black leaders have sided with this nonsense even though it hurts blacks. The so called leaders support Hispanic's because they feel it is their best chance to take down whitey...which is all they want. It doesn't matter the consequences, all they want is whitey gone. Now anyone with brains knows that Hispanics will cater even less to blacks...but the black leaders persist. Shameful
Andrew on May 04, 2008 at 14:14:00 said:
The comment written by Daniel is a perfect example of the arrogance that is rampant among the new immigrants ( illegal ) and their enablers. Instead of learning english and assimilating into the American culture, they want the freedom and economic opportunity America provides, but they want it on their terms. His comments about the Southwest and The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo clearly identify him as another arrogant reconquista. Everything revolves around their belief that parts of America belong to Mexico. This belief is encouraged by the racist and elitist members of the Mexican Ruling Class. They are the ones who control Mexico, and encouraging Mexicans to go to their " homeland " is how they force the costs of caring for their poor on to American citizens. This explains why " poor " Mexico is home to many billionaires, millionaires and the worlds richest man. Daniels idiotic statement about Quebec intentionally fails to mention the constant tension between the people who speak french or english. Forcing people to learn a language to appease the other side only creates resentment. His true arrogance is revealed with the statement " there are just as many job sites with unnecessary and insulting english-only rules." You arrogant little fool. If you find it insulting to speak our language, you are free to leave. I can smell the stench of latin machismo from here. No one throws a temper tantrum like a latin male when he has had is honor insulted. It's too bad they don't have the courage to take on the ruling class scum that rapes their home countries and is the cause of all this mess. Americans don't need to be lectured to by latinos who displace their embarrassment and shame over having run away from home to come to America. Little boys run away; men stay and fight.
Buzzm1 on May 04, 2008 at 13:56:21 said:
(please copy, and paste this in an email to your friends, and families -thanks).
Let's take back some jobs for our kids, and our grandkids.
How about some help on this. It's an economic boycott of BURGER KING to force them to get rid of ALL of the illegal immigrants they have working for them. If we cause BK to bend, McDonald's is sure to follow, along with the others. It's a step in the right direction. We have to get the movement South started. If we break one large national franchise, it will help to begin the departure of the illegals.
WE NEED YOU TO HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!!!
OUR KIDS NEED JOBS TOO
"WE, THE PEOPLE"
ARE BEGINNING OUR
NATIONWIDE BOYCOTT
OF
BURGER KING
WE, THE PEOPLE, will continue this boycott until such time that, Burger King, using the Department Of Homeland Security's E-Verify program, verifies that ALL of its employees are legally in our United States, and Burger King publicly agrees to comply with the Federal laws of our United States, and not hire any person illegally within our borders. During this, indeterminate period of time, we will encourage friends, family, and acquaintances, and anyone else who is against this rampant, completely unwelcome, uninvited, and undeterred, invasion of illegal immigrants, to boycott Burger King. The failure of our Federal Legislature, current administration, and potential presidential candidates, to listen to the rightful demands, of "WE, THE PEOPLE" makes this action abolutely necessary. Illegal immigrants are an enormous financial burden on taxpayers, costing you, and I, our children, and our grandchildren, even more than the Wars in Iraq, and Afghanistan, and in addition, they take jobs away from the very people who need them the most. Illegal immigrants have absolutely no right to be in our United States. Be assured, this is "Americans versus Illegal Immigrants;" nothing more; nothing less. Please join in, and help get the word out!. It's time for, WE, THE PEOPLE, to do the job. that our government is failing to do for us.
citizen on May 04, 2008 at 13:29:06 said:
mass deportations or civil war
levotb on May 04, 2008 at 12:43:05 said:
It is against the law to discriminate by not hiring a citizen in the U.S. because they don't speak a foreign language. EVery one of these teens should have their parents hire Pacific Legal or Landmark Legal and sue, sue, sue! Eventually, these lawbreaking companies with DEEP pockets will change their practices.
What is missing from this story is...These companies are knowingly breaking Fed. Immigration law and should be indicted and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Why isn't ICE raiding MacDonald's and Burger King? Why are they avoiding raiding those companies? There must be a 100,000 or more illegals working in all the MacDonald's across the nation. Just think what fines ICE could collect! And by raiding them, some of the illegals would go back to Mexico.
kawahchan on May 04, 2008 at 10:27:57 said:
Gee, what can I say, I speak 100% Cantonese, and I don't understand Sen. Barack Obama's black man's accent to pronounce a word either "Taiwan" or "Thailand" in English during his campaign in Indiana state. All I know today's black leaderships are Anti-Asians, anti-Hispanics, ... and resulted is "Sorry, I don't understand you, run it (once) again."
josh on May 03, 2008 at 21:43:17 said:
This story really speaks to the failure of our educational system in providing the necessary resources for our multi-cultural and multi-lingual society.
We need more language classes - particularly English and Spanish, but also Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Arabic and so much more.
Yes, speaking English is still a great door-opener, but in our global society, it has become even more necessary for all of us to speak multiple langauges - like is the norm in many parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Look at Quebec. It used to be part of the French Empire, so many people speak French. As a legacy, the schools ensure everyone speaks both English and French.
Now look at California and the Southwest. They used to be part of Mexico, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (ending the U.S. - Mexican War) guaranteed the linguistic and cultural rights of the new Americans. Yet rather than embrace both English and Spanish (and offer other languages), many naively pretend that somehow we can build friendship and survive economically with only English.
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The restaurants in this story should be playing a role in improving this situation. They are picking the easy approach by only hiring spanish speakers. Could they not have on the job training to teach the English and Spanish words for "french fry?"
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p.s. I can tell you from first-hand experience, there are just as many job sites with unneccessary and insulting English-only rules.
Multi-lingualism is the solution!
Daniel on May 03, 2008 at 20:44:34 said:
You should be able to speak at least one foreign language. It's good for your out look on life and your brain! So stop moaning and learn.
Tyrone on May 03, 2008 at 10:39:34 said:
Please Get Involved!!
www.NumbersUSA.com
www.BetterImmigration.com
Tyrone on May 03, 2008 at 10:38:50 said:
www.AmericanPatrol.com
lccat on May 03, 2008 at 09:52:44 said:
Not to worry non-spanish speakers, the ILLEGAL\'S gangs will continue to run you out of the areas the ILLEGALS desire! Of course it will not stop until the non-spanish speakers are vanquished or transformed to spanish speaking. Seems as if the ILLEGALS are ahead of the Religion of Peace in the race to conquer and/or convert the United States into just another Third World Country.
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