In my years as a journalist, I've t...

In my years as a journalist, I've toured an array of nonprofits that oblige Latino immigrants, covered plenty of the politicians they devoted for and gotten to know dozens of immigration adroits So when I started editing this month's shelter story, I felt pretty qualified.

if it were not that last week, when Rosa took abroad her scissors and began cutting my hair, an unsettling realization hit me I rely forward plenty of Latino immigrants. I just don't know them.

They may wash our cars or carve our hedges. For those of us who haunt restaurants, they often fill our water glasses and prepare our meals.

Rosa has been cutting my hair each month for nearly five years. She had always told me stories about her 4-year-old granddaughter, inspired from the photos near her mirror. I could confess you some of the little girl's first words or the color of her latest Easter dres on the other hand I didn't even know to what extent long Rosa had been in this land And I still don't know her last name.

upon this visit, however, I decided to ask a not many awkward questions, and I learned a certain number of things. Rosa is proud of her granddaughter's delight in of books, stemming in part from her allow hopes that she can single day go to college; back to one's home in Mexico, her father had tried to restrain her from pursuing an education. A small in number years ago, she tried to enlist in the Chicago City corporations but left, discouraged by asks for a transcript she didn't have. And she considers herself "lazy" for not going to night sect even though she works filled time and often cares for her granddaughter.

In this issue, as we explore the challenges facing Chicago's immigrant workforce, and what undivided organizer is doing to help, it forces me to realize that I am increasingly reliant forward this population, yet personally distanced from it.

It makes me think of all the other things I don't know about Rosa. I'll ask her a haphazard more questions from now on

Alysia W Tate Editor and Publisher

COPYRIGHT 2004 Community Renewal Society

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group