Celebrate how far our nation has come as we move forward

In a few days my wife and I will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. Oh, how times have changed for the better over these years.

We met though our work, which funded me through college and funded my wife’s basic expenses. She is from a large Mexican-American family and the funds for a wedding celebration were limited.

I offered to help by paying for the hall rental for our reception. I booked it several months in advance and paid half the fee. Two weeks prior to our wedding I was to pay the balance. I took my fiancée with me to see the hall and make the final payment.

When we entered and attempted to make the final payment my check was not accepted. They had assumed that since I am white it was a white couple being married. It was made very clear to us that no Mexicans would be allowed there. In near panic and with many tears we searched around and found a wonderful hotel manager who had no problem.

Over the next year I would set aside any money I could to celebrate our first anniversary at a very nice Phoenix restaurant. We were looking forward to this evening and our dinner together. When we arrived, we were told they were not sure they had an opening. After some discussion with the maître d’ we were seated. Over the next hour we were unable to secure a menu, water or any assistance for the staff. We left to have dinner elsewhere.

These days, my wife and I are able to go into any restaurant, store, business, etc. with no hesitation of service or sense of discrimination. My how far we as a nation have come in these 50 years.

While we (collectively all citizens) recognize opportunities for even more improvement, we need to see how far we have come and celebrate that our nation has moved forward.

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Man who wrote letter poses good questions for those shot by police

Regarding letter-writer Mark Williams and his concern about California’s proposed restrictions on police use of force:

My husband and I have asked the same questions Mr. Williams has asked in his letter: Why are these youngsters out on the street at night? Why aren’t they taught to do what a police officer tells them to do?

If they did, they wouldn’t be getting shot.

Beads part of a rich tapestry of Native American culture

When LaRissa Waln decided she wanted to honor her heritage as a member of a Sioux tribe by wearing a beaded row on her mortarboard along a with a purple feather, Valley Vista High School officials told her family they wouldn’t allow it. No one should be surprised by this. American society has always tried to expunge the traditions of native Americans. After tribes were corralled and forced onto reservations, their children were sent off to dormitory schools where they weren’t allowed to speak their native tongues or wear native clothing.

They were told to abandon their tribal beliefs and embrace Christianity as their new religious faith, despite the fact that many of those tribal traditions were as old as Christianity.

LaRissa’s beads and feather are a part of the rich diverse tapestry of who we are. To deny their display is to subtract from the color of our collective story as a nation.