A highly valued painter
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Martín Gaitán comes from Zacatecas, Mexico and in Tulsa he has found a living in the construction and painting industry, were he has become famous for his diligent work and the extra discounts for Hispanics.
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His story is one that deserves to be shared as an example of the contribution of the Mexican population here in Tulsa.
“I was brought here by one of my uncles back in 1979, and started working with another uncle in the painting industry,” Gaitán explained. “He was the only contractor who hired Mexicans back in the day, and that is why all the people that came from Zacatecas are painters because of the help of the brothers Quiroz.”
In the early 1980s Tulsa was a very different city, Gaitán recalled.
“We had to eat old bread because we couldn’t find a place that sold tortillas,” the painter said. “We didn’t have chilies, none of the things we are used to seeing today.” His first years in the city were hard. “I was too young and nobody wanted to hire me, not in restaurants, not in other businesses, and my uncle sometimes had extra work and sometimes he couldn’t give me anything so I had to get by and make do,” Gaitán said. “I remember that whenever I didn’t have money to pay the rent and the landlord came, my brother and I used to escape through the window.”
Those hard times have long been left behind, and the painter has now his own business.
“We started little by little, knocking on doors, talking to different engineers and offering our services. Sometimes we have a lot to do, sometimes we have to wait but we can’t complain, we make a living out of it.”
Gaitán is a man who does not believe in the American way of constant spending.
“I don’t buy on credit, I pay cash so that I’m not tricked. That is why I don’t buy new things. I prefer to have an old truck and be happy. When I came here I had to walk everywhere, so why do I need new things today? Lust is not for me. With this philosophy I go to bed with no worries,” Gaitán said.
There are a lot of immigrants that work hard every day, but our painter’s success is in part due to diligence.
“I only have to thank God for what I have -- I don’t see myself as a successful person. I am a regular guy, I am healthy, I don’t want to boast about what I have,” he said honestly, admitting that his only goal is to make enough money to face old age with pride.
“Mexicans are hard workers because our parents have taught us to work since early childhood. We need to be responsible for ourselves because nobody will give us anything,” said Gaitán, acknowledging the only way to grow is to learn and keep on learning.
Even if it can be difficult to deal with all kinds of clients and necessities Gaitán believes that a smile and kind treatment do the trick and there is always extra help for those who need it.
“One needs to have special treatment for one’s countrymen, and offer an extra discount for those of our race.”
To conclude the interview, Gaitán gave a piece of advice to young Hispanics: “Study hard, become doctors, lawyers, sheriffs, be somebody and never take drugs or smoke, that is the road to hell.” (La Semana)