Councilmember Martinez and I have similar background stories.
We are the same age, grew up in the same neighborhood, have immigrant parents, and
leveraged the opportunities afforded to us by our academic and personal successes.
Somehow, those victories did not amount to personal integrity for Ms. Martinez.
I have heard that racist slur from other Latinos and Hispanics in my old neighborhood and even my old church.
When I would check someone when they said it, they would wave it off as “that’s just part of the culture.”
This has NOTHING to do with culture or tradition.
The idea that some cultures or people are superior to others has no place on this planet.
It denies individual racism and sends a message that your racial oppression is no different from mine.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
My first musical memory is Harry Belafonte’s 1961 Grammy award-winning album Swing Dat Hammer.
I would lose myself in the melodies of those incredible chain gang songs.
As I type these words, I can still hear the chilling ways Mr. Belafonte would bellow certain words in songs like “Diamond Joe,” “Another Man Done Gone,” “Here Rattler Here,” and “Rocks and Gravel.”
I can still hear the pain, anguish, love, and hope.
Just typing this makes my eyes tear up and my lungs tighten.
It taught me to understand and respect the plight of others and that I have no other option other than to consider their situation and hear the facts.
It has kept my heart soft.
No amount of sensitivity training will make you look in the mirror and be accountable.
Preserve your integrity by analyzing your thoughts and actions.
Define your values so you know what you believe.
Encourage the integrity of others.
It will build your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Nury Martinez and The Business of Integrity
Councilmember Martinez and I have similar background stories.
We are the same age, grew up in the same neighborhood, have immigrant parents, and leveraged the opportunities afforded to us by our academic and personal successes.
Somehow, those victories did not result in personal integrity for Ms. Martinez.
I am not casting stones.
I have heard the racist slur she blurted out from other Latinos and Hispanics in my old neighborhood and even my old church.
When I would check someone when they said it, they would wave it off as “that’s just part of the culture.”
This has NOTHING to do with culture or tradition.
The idea that some cultures or people are superior to others has no place on this planet.
It denies individual racism and sends a message that your racial oppression is no different from mine.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am thankful my first musical memory is Harry Belafonte’s 1961 Grammy award-winning album, Swing Dat Hammer.
I would lose myself in the melodies and lyrics of those incredible chain gang songs.
As I type these words, I can still hear the chilling ways Mr. Belafonte would bellow certain words in songs like “Diamond Joe,” “Another Man Done Gone,” “Here Rattler Here,” and “Rocks and Gravel.”
I can still hear the pain, anguish, love, and hope.
Just typing this makes my eyes tear up and my lungs tighten.
It taught me to understand and respect the plight of others and that I have no other option other than to consider their situation and hear the facts.
It has kept my heart soft.
No amount of #sensitivity #training or #DEI workshops will make you look in the mirror and be accountable.
Preserve your #integrity by analyzing your thoughts and actions.
Define your values so you know what you believe.
Encourage the integrity of others.
It will build your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I promise it will show up in the bottom line of your life and business.
