emporialive (anonymous) says...

"If you must be angry because they are here, then be angry at Tyson instead of toward the Somali people."

I could not agree more with that comment. Tyson's work and employment ethics are a joke. They will do whatever it takes to cut cost all for the almighty $$, instead of making the place a better place to work.

"Mutual respect can only make this a better community."
This goes both ways, this includes the pushing around women and kids at the local stores. They need to know it is NOT OK in our culture to push and shove women and children as they have the same rights as men. This includes female law enforcement officers that they refuse to deal with.
It's funny how people who work in services have to deal with Somali they are nice, polite, clean and respectful, but when the public has to work with them they act like they are superior and we all owe them something. So unless we are giving them a service(health care, banking, ect) then we are just trash in their way.
If they would respect everyone the way you claim to be respected then this whole issue of separation would resolve itself. I agree that some do not want to get along and they have that right, but for the most part if we could get the respect issue ironed out it would go a long way.

December 11, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fantasywriter (anonymous) says...

Tracy, you make an excellent point. These people are victims, not culprits. Emporians are understandably nervous about the impact of such a large group on a community which is already over-burdened with poor and desperate people of all races. Emporians obviously had no say over the placement of refugees in our community, but we do have say in what happens once they're here. Sure, social welfare funds are shrinking and crime rates are rising, but hate and resistance simply exacerbate the problem. Confronted with a warring community, people are unlikely to be charitably motivated and, desperate people given little but hate are more likely to engage in criminal activity. We are in a situation we can't undo, however, we can change our response to the situation. Each person, whether they value human rights, or whether they simply value their own personal safety and property, should realize it is time to stand together as a whole community--Somali, African American, Hispanic, Native American, Oriental and Caucasian. We are Emporia.
This is a great season to make a new beginning for a new and better community.

December 11, 2007 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fetah (anonymous) says...

WE MUST ALL LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER

Your words are all too true. It is very sad when people are so scared of someone being different then they are.

Remember how genocides begin- it is small minded people thinking that someone does not belong. watch yourself. you are setting horrible examples for anyone you come into contact with- especially children- spreading your hate.

I encourage all to read this fabulous article from Pulitzer Price winning columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr. @ learning to live together

copy & paste this into your browser

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/col...

December 11, 2007 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmb232 (anonymous) says...

I think that some of the problem lies in that not all the proper information was given to the public about the arrival and introduction of the refugees in to the workplace and the community. Some of the incidents, such as the driving and
rudness in the stores, etc have not helped. The bottom line is that we have persons right here in the community that need
help and they have not received it. Some of them have been tax paying citizens their whole life and are entitled to all the assistance that is being offered to the immigrants. Do we take care of our own? That remains to be seen!

December 11, 2007 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fetah (anonymous) says...

I am sure that many people "right here in the community" drive badly, are rude in stores, treat women & children with disrespect. I am also sure that they feel like outcasts in their new home, from their new neighbors. They see your sneers & attitudes. There are hundreds of programs for assistance for "tax paying citizens" & I am pretty sure that tyson is taking a big ole' chunk of federal & state taxes out of their checks too. Misinformed, uneducated tirades are sad.

December 11, 2007 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

IamBack (anonymous) says...

You allow someone to post a LTE saying "No More Somali's" and then you delete someone that is anti-racist bigot? Nice....Goose step much?

"Some of them have been tax paying citizens their whole life and are entitled to all the assistance that is being offered to the immigrants. Do we take care of our own? That remains to be seen!"

Actually, if you are familiar with how income tax works, those that need help are most likely those that are tax exempt in the first place. Most of those are medicaid/medicare eligible anyway. The gubment is already helping them.

Using your logic, if a community fails to take care of one group, then it is BOUND by hillbilly law to mistreat and ignore the issues of another. Hell from what I have read, not just ignore, but outright insult and denegrate.

"Some of the incidents, such as the driving and
rudness in the stores, etc have not helped. "

Is that REALLY an issue? Actually, is it really a SOMALI issue? People are d-bags on the road and are d-bags in the store. Period.

"If there be a man among you who is free from sin, let him be the one to throw the first stone." Jesus, so f'ing metal.

From the Hebrew Bible

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke [reason with] thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

-- Leviticus 19: 17-18 (KJV)

December 11, 2007 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tmac (anonymous) says...

OK, I am officially confused.
What assistance is the Somalis getting that is not available to anyone else?
Who in this community is not getting the help they need? Why not? Is there a shortage of funds, or agencies that provide aid? Or do people not know how or want to ask for help?
Why is Tyson the villan? Is it really trying to undercut the labor force, or is there a shortage of worker willing to do the job?

Just like everyone else, I guess I need answers, not the rumors that seem to be flying everywhere. Once again, I am looking to the Gazette to dig up the answers.

December 11, 2007 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fantasywriter (anonymous) says...

To Tmac: "Who in this community is not getting the help they need?" I know two elderly people (both on SSI--i.e., disabled) who were refused aid for housing needs at the Salvation Army due to a shortage of funds. I know three younger families who have been turned down, respectively, for utility and food assistance due to an agency's shortage of funds and supplies. I can name at least nine people who cannot get to Dr.'s appointments, or afford their $3 per prescription co-pays and cannot get help from local agencies due to limited funding. The food stamp budget is so limited that one of the disabled women I mentioned above, who draws a $640 pension as her only income (which must cover rent, food, utilities, transportation and personal items, like toilet paper), receives $10 per month food assistance. This woman often goes without prescriptions because she cannot afford her co-pays. This woman neither drinks, smokes nor gambles. This is only the tip of the iceberg. I KNOW the refugees do not contribute to this problem since this is a COMMON scenario across the nation. I just mention it here because desperation, combined with social unrest can contribute to all the problems Emporia is experiencing right now. People in Emporia, as in so many other cities, are desperate. We just don't need the hate added to the mix.

December 11, 2007 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

railroadhorn (anonymous) says...

I'm not getting the help I need. I'm a person who has worked all my life but I've fallen on hard times in 2007. Finally, as I'm now homeless but living with friends, I went to the Salvation Army last week and SRS to ask about cash assistance to rent a 1BR apt. The one I had in mind was $375 a month plus deposit. The SA is out of those funds and the SRS got me food stamps but no cash, and to get the food stamps I had to apply for federal social security benefits. Yes I have health issues but I'm not ready to "retire." I want to work. So there you go and I'm still no closer to my own home. I'm not a deadbeat. I don't do drugs. I'm an out-of-work American who has lost all in one year. If I were Somalian I wouldn't have these problems right now. Probably more of a different kind, but that's just my two cents. I've applied at Tyson to no avail, too.

December 11, 2007 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

To Tmac: "Who in this community is not getting the help they need? "

Plenty are not getting the help they need! I can list several people I know about who deserve help but can't get it for a number of reasons. One woman I know was given only $10 in food stamps because she already gets a pension. Ha! $630 is hardly a living. How much does a package of toilet paper cost? Cab fare is getting more and more expensive. Who likes to eat peanut butter all the time anyway?

No, the refugees do not contribute to the problem, but disparity certainly does.

December 11, 2007 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gazette_reader (anonymous) says...

Thank you for writing this, Tracy. I appreciate it. For the most part, my encounters with our Somali population have been no different with my encounters with anyone else. There is kindness, goodness, frustration, anger, sadness, rudeness and humor among the entire population in Emporia.

The greatest disadvantage the Somalis face is that they are highly visible in this community. Honestly, I'm not sure I would have the courage to go out every day if I were in their shoes.

December 11, 2007 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

open_eyes (anonymous) says...

railroadhorn, you've "applied at Tyson to no avail"......

hmmm........ 200 openings, throwing applications around at the meeting, but still nobody seems to get hired (non-refugee, that is)....... hmmm.........

December 11, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

railroadhorn (anonymous) says...

And Tyson doesn't give you any info on why you didn't get an interview or a job. They don't respond at all. No e-mail or phone responses. I think they could do a better job helping everyone in Emporia get to know each other. Where are the free Somali language courses for example!?

December 11, 2007 at 5:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

open_eyes (anonymous) says...

Oh, and thanks, Ms Koppa, for denigrating the jobs at Tyson for those who are still employed there. I put in many years there, and though it wasn't the "American Dream" job, it paid good (at least back then), and I could think of many worse things to do.
Maybe Tyson could take over the Flint Hills Community Health Center. Then they could lower the wages and working conditions, get rid of all the local help, and replace them (you) with people willing to do the job. Then you would be free to pursue your "American Dream job" LOL

December 11, 2007 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

rami (anonymous) says...

I've had many experiences with Somalians around town and none of them have been good! I have attempted to be nice only to be shoved aside or treated rudely. That is when I became concerned about bringing more Somalians into town.
I am not mad about ALL Somalians in Emporia....I know there will be some bad apples in any bunch, but I deserve respect just as much as the next person. Respect is a 2-way street!
You can't really expect it if you don't give it....that goes out to everyone.

December 11, 2007 at 5:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

trucks_boats (anonymous) says...

Wake up no one owes you anything. I am angry that by the time I am ready to retire there will not be anything in the pot. After paying for years into a social security lie. Yes, it makes me mad every time I see it being taken out of my pay check. But guess what? I get over it because life isn’t easy and it isn’t fair. Grow up people; if you want to work you will work. The problem is you only want great jobs with excellent pay, and benefits. Don’t we all, but sometimes we have to pay our dues. If you want a better job go back to school. If you know a couple of elderly ladies that can’t afford certain staples help them out. You can get toilet paper for less than a dollar. If your buddy is homeless let them crash at your house for a while. Then in the spring if he is still there push his butt off the couch and let him take responsibility for his own life. If you are a good Christian and are passionate about having the Christmas program back,then be a good Christian and don’t speak foul, hateful, racist things out of the same mouth that you preach out of. We are all more alike than many of of care be admit.

December 11, 2007 at 6:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

trucks_boats (anonymous) says...

I guess I should go back to school too, he he

December 11, 2007 at 7:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tmac (anonymous) says...

So, the way I see it, we can continue to blame outsiders for our woes, or we can buck up, act like a community and take care of all who are in need. Government agencies and the church can only do so much. Perhaps we should all spend less time complaining and more time being the "Good Christians" we all claim to be.

Who is with me?

December 11, 2007 at 8:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hottopics (anonymous) says...

JOBS AT TYSON??? WHATEVER!

Yeah a girl I know TRIED to get on their but they turned her away because a limitation of one hand. She has one hands and SHE WANTS to WORK, they could have found her something for petesake. So take your 200 job garbage and stuff down another blow hole.

As for us needing to be considerate to Somali's, Im sorry but I have spoke to employees at the Health Dept. You are in your own world. Emporialive said it right! They need to respect US in order to receive it.

December 11, 2007 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

infinicat (anonymous) says...

Thank you, Tracy, for daring to speak up in the face of considerable adversity. While many remain in denial about the realities facing us, people in the front lines, like you, are dealing with the people that are here already.

" On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!"

--- Infinicat

December 11, 2007 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

open_eyes (anonymous) says...

cat, your last quote there could be directed at Tyson, for turning away so many locals who apply for jobs there......
Jesus also said to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing......

December 11, 2007 at 10:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

alfalfa (anonymous) says...

I am still unclear how much government assistance the Somalis are getting, but who does it really benefit? TYSON! They are taking advantage of the situation these people find themselves in. I am sure Emporia is a paradise compared to what they left. Surely I am not the only one who remembers the IBP days when the starting wage was cut? Figure out what the top 10 executives at Tyson make then figure how many people could be hired for that sum at a decent wage, then how many Somalis they can hire.

With regard to the comments that more or less call anyone not overjoyed with this influx of foreigners a racist, some of us are just concerned we are about to see a way of life vanish and be replaced by alot of things we aren't comfortable with. I am reminded of a cartoon I once saw of two Native Americans watching the Mayflower arrive with the caption, "Ahh, let 'em stay, what can they hurt??". We should learn a lesson from the Native Americans lax immigration policy and unsecured borders.

December 11, 2007 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

netloafer (anonymous) says...

I don't think it helps labelling anyone who questions as racists.

I think there are times when a false sense of compassion can be detrimental to those the acts of "mercy" were intended to help.

I hope the Somalis do well, as I do for any refugees or immigrants. But I'm not so sure that it is compassion that drives some of the social service agencies or Tyson.

Compassion nowadays has become a big industry, with lots of money going to the support agencies. It's a big enough industry that the government grants are being competed for. There are billions of dollars at stake and the agencies want the money. Further, a lot of the agencies want to expand their services by either bringing more into their programs or finding ways of keeping those in the program dependent on them for support. I don't think that's either American or Christian.

Does anyone think that it's compassion that's driving Tyson? Tyson is now being investigated by Human Rights Watch for labor abuse and for leveraging refugees against other minorities to drive down unit labor costs. I don't think that's American or Christian.

I think it's all too easy to label objections or questions as racist or lacking in compassion. It's easier to call those who might have something at stake (a job, financial support) racists. I wonder how those who make those claims would feel if a group of refugees was brought in to take jobs from tenured professors, school teachers, nurses, high paid professionals, or students. I think they might be the first in line to complain. So much for the moral high ground.

I'm sure there are racists here in Emporia as there are anywhere in America, or the world. I don't condone or endorse that behavior. It's neither American or Christian. I'm for solutions that work for all, for the Somali community and those Emporians at the lower economic rungs of the ladder. I'm not going to pretend that the current plan is compassionate, though. Nor am I going to join the lynch mobs gathering at the poles of this issue. I don't think that lynch mobs in the name of self-interest are healthy on one hand, nor do I think that lynch mobs in the name of Jesus are healthy on the other.

December 12, 2007 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fantasywriter (anonymous) says...

To Trucks and Boats: "If you know a couple of elderly ladies that can’t afford certain staples help them out."
Obviously, you can afford to have unlimited people in your home or buy toilet paper, etc for the needy, however I cannot. I can barely afford the dollar toilet paper myself, and ALL my fully employed (as I am), college educated (as I am) acquaintances are in the same boat. We work at "good" jobs, but with the cost of gas, food, and our own mortgages, we are all barely making ends meet (and no, we do not have credit card debts, take vacations, smoke or gamble--most of us can't even afford health insurance for our families). We barely make ends meet and we're thankful we can do that much. If only we COULD simply buy things for those we know in need!!

December 12, 2007 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

open_eyes (anonymous) says...

netloafer, I don't know that I've ever seen it articulated any better. Very well said.
I've seen alot of professionals in computers, engineering, and other technologies take substantial pay cuts (some even 50% or more) as their jobs have been outsourced overseas. While of course this isn't the same thing as immigration, I've seen it change people's way of thinking when it hit them directly. Same thing with this, I doubt Ms. Koppa would have written this article if the Health Department came in and told her she had 2 choices, either take a 50% pay cut and keep her job, or lose her job because they could replace her with Somalian nurses at half the pay. Tyson may not be cutting wages but it is their leverage to keep wages low, as I posted in an earlier article about how the meat packing industry has went from being among the better-paid industrial jobs to among the worst-paid. But I would not label Ms. Koppa a racist (like many here would) if she was upset about that. You're right, compassion has become a big industry unto itself, sad to say :( As in all things, we need to find a common middle ground somewhere.

December 12, 2007 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

trucks_boats (anonymous) says...

fantasywriter, I don't want to offend anyone , I am sorry for that. I am upset that some small minded people have said some pretty sorry comments,such as how clean or unclean people are, ect. I don't feel like everyone that wants questions answered or is upset about our newcomers is a racist. But when you are at a local store and see the check out person put gloves on before she takes money from a Somalian, that makes us all look pretty bad. I just wanted to say, come on people have a heart. Be mad a Tyson, be mad at whoever is bringing them here, but don't attack them.

December 12, 2007 at 6:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fantasywriter (anonymous) says...

Trucks-- I understand and agree that we need to "have a heart!" I am glad the gazette offers this forum so we, as a community, can have these safe, anonymous discussions;-)

December 12, 2007 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Pollyanna (anonymous) says...

Hey there trucks_boats

Did you really witness a checker glove up before taking money from a Somalian? I'm not incenuating you are untruthful, but I'm floored that a store manager would allow that behavior to happen. That really makes my heart sad and if I had been in line you can guarantee the store manager would be there to explain to me why that is ok. If a checker chooses to wear gloves when doing her job, then I get it. Cold and flu season, ya, smart..but if she/he only "protects" herself with a certain race, that's just wrong. How does she know that someone like "me" small, white female is disease free? Perhaps I'm carrying HIV. What an absurd practice. I hope it happens close to me....

December 13, 2007 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Hillbilly (anonymous) says...

Kst, we all make mistakes sometimes when we write or say something, even you!!!!, well maybe you dont , when we get heated about a subject.

I think the main thing that houndi was best able to say was. about the FACT that somalia's peoples response to the Americans who died trying to help their a$$'s back in the 90's meant nothing to them, please do not give me a lesson on it as I probably know more about it than the average person who posts here, maybe except one and she knows who she is.....YES I am PRO-MILITARY FIRST, the rest can get in line and wait for all I care.

To me, kinda seems to be the same way with them and tyson now, only no one has been dragged anywhere. Just ask a parent of one of those soldiers who were shown on TV at that time....or a soldier who was there, what their views are about the solomian peoples in general.

December 14, 2007 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

olddog (anonymous) says...

Everyone complains about Tyson and threatens to boycot them for health reasons. What about all these independent meatlockers. Do they have USDA Inspectors? If so, how often do they "stop" in to do an inspection? Once a month? Once a week? Maybe they dont have inspectors at all. And if they do they are probably given a date so they can prepare for it. Has anyone thought about asking if independent meat lockers etc screen their employees for AIDS, Hepitits C, TB etc which can be passed on or do they just hire them off the street.

It's doubtful they do health or drug screenings on their employees. The last visit I made to a meatlocker wasn't a good experience. It was filthy, meat was just thrown in piles and you could almost get drunk off the alcohol fumes.

They butcher anything that walks through the doors.

Sounds better then Tyson?

December 14, 2007 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

slipandslide (anonymous) says...

olddog the last meat locker i went to looked just fine, not like you describe it it tastes much better than tyson

December 14, 2007 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )