SCIENCE HUMANITIES AND LIFE
Rick Provence mr.provence_rick@hotmail.com
“To Each His Own” [Shoemaker to your shoes]”
“[is it true] that a ball player is suddenly to become people´s manager?”
¡Ah…God All Mighty …only in Mexico!
That´s what a farmer in Tepoztlán Mexico, shouted last week. The expression of such a person is worthy of analysis, reflection and proof. However people who have expressed their own observations have existed in the life of any person. And it is through time that empowers us to verify, such perceived reality.
At the end of the ‘60s my dad worked for the company Smart and Final in The United States. Being a sensitive teenager to the needs of the home, I had the urge to work, so I could help my father. Searching for work in all businesses around my neighborhood, I found a sign indicating that an opening for a Carpenter was available. I told my dad about my intention to get the post. Before making any comments, my dad led me to his carpentry in the back of the House. “I want you to make a mahogany and rosewood chair.” He said to me. Clutching the back of my belt I proceeded to take the electric saw. I put it on the workbench, and began to search for the required wood. After several minutes, I found a strip of pine and mahogany. After several hours of work, I presented my dad with a wooden platform of approximately 40 cm by 50 cm, attached to four-legged pine. It was not the chair that I was instructed to make. My father’s comments were as follows: Son, you do indeed have the ability to entertain and amuse your peers. However you do not have the aptitude nor the ability to be a carpenter. You do not know how to execute a work plan, nor draw a design that eliminates trial and error. You did not make a list of the materials to carry out your task. You do not know how to measure nor count. You did not use the appropriate tools that would yield a quality finished product. I know who is requesting a carpenter, Bob is my buddy, but you are not a carpenter. What you are is my son; the son of a carpenter who designed and worked in the Pasadena Green and Green homes. Your Godfather is the majority shareholder of the company requesting the worker. Furthermore, before I married your stepmother she was the shareholder’s concubine (i.e. not whore). They’re not going to give you the job just because you are my son. Besides, people in this country (USA), DO NOT assign jobs based upon cronyism, buddies’ bias, nepotism nor favoritisms. ¡EARN, YOU MUST EARN THE JOB! And if they remotely consider giving you such responsibility, I would not allow it. You should know that you can rent your time, and your knowledge. However, an American, A SON OF MINE, SHALL NEVER SELL HIS DIGNITY. Least of all my son would never accept a job that would require him to abuse his power. In addition, there is another possibility: You might be thrown into the showground, so they could make fun of you and make a mockery of your life; tear you to pieces by a mechanized chainsaw. No sir, you are not to present yourself as a carpenter, I won’t allow it. “YOU MUST ENDEAVOR IN WHAT YOU DO BEST – WITH COMMITMENT, DELIVERY AND ENTHUSIASM.” At that moment, my Honduran stepmother entered the shop. I thought to myself ‘thank God for my father’ and a sigh of relief ran through my mind, THANK GOD THAT SOME OF US STILL HAVE MOTHER.
********Mr. R.E. Provence began his journalism studies at Los Angeles City College. Due to his various interest in investigative fields, he did not conclude his major, rather he became the main research assistant to Dr. Joseph G. Phelan and Dr. Vernon Kiker, among others. While he stayed at LACC he received the Lucy Toberman mentioned of Honor as photo editor. He is currently writing for other newspapers as well as transcribing his book on transcultural communication.
CIENCIA HUMANIDADES Y VIDA
Rick Provence
“ZAPATERO A TUS ZAPATOS”
¿“Que un jugador de pelotas repentinamente se convierte en administrador de del pueblo?”
¡Ah carajo…solo en México!”
Eso dijo un campesino en Tepoztlán la semana pasada. La expresión de tal persona es digna de analizarse, reflexionarse y comprobar la veracidad de su dicho. Sin embargo en la vida de toda persona ha existido gente que han expresado alguna observación y es precisamente el tiempo lo que nos ayuda a comprobar esa realidad percibida.
A finales de los sesentas mi padre trabajaba para la compañía Smart and Final en Estados Unidos. Siendo un adolecente sensible a las necesidades del hogar, yo ya quería trabajar para ayudarle a mi padre. Buscando trabajo en todos los negocios, encontré un letrero indicando que se solicitaba un carpintero. Le comente a mi padre acerca de mi intención de obtener el puesto. Antes de hacer cualquier comentario, me dirigió hacia su carpintería en la parte trasera de la casa. “Quiero que HAGAS una silla de caoba y palo de rosa.” Me dijo. Agarrándome la parte trasera de mi cinturón procedí a tomar la sierra eléctrica. La puse sobre el banco de trabajo, y empecé a buscar la madera requerida. Después de varios minutos, encontré la caoba y una tira de pino. Después de varias horas de trabajo, presente una plataforma de aproximadamente 40cm por 50cm, adherida a cuatro patas de pino. No era la silla que me encomendaron realizar. Los comentarios de mi padre fueron los siguientes: Si tienes la capacidad para entretener y divertir a tus compañeros. Sin embargo no tienes la aptitud ni la capacidad para ser carpintero, no ejecutaste un plan de trabajo, no dibujaste un diseño que eliminara la prueba y error, no hiciste una lista de los materiales ni las herramientas de trabajo que necesitarías, NO SABER MEDIR NI CONTAR conduce a presentar un producto sin terminar, y lo que es peor no podrás presentar resultados de calidad. Se quien está solicitando a un carpintero, Bob es mi amigo de toda la vida y estoy seguro que tomara en consideración que eres mi hijo, PERO TU NO ERES CARPINTERO. Lo que si eres es mi hijo; y yo soy el carpintero quien diseño y trabajo en las casas de Pasadena Green and Green. Tu padrino es el socio mayoritario de la empresa solicitante. Y además, antes de que me casara con tu madrastra ella fue la concubina (por no decir whore), del otro socio. Y a pesar de todo esto, ellos no te van a dar el trabajo con base a un compadrazgo, nepotismo ni favoritismo. Y si remotamente lo considerarían, yo no lo permitiría. Debes saber que puedes rentar tu tiempo, y tus conocimientos, pero nunca VENDAS TU DIGNIDAD. Además existe otra posibilidad: que te lancen al ruedo y después te hagan a un lado para abusar de la gente, o pueden lanzarte para que se burlen de ti y te haga pedazos con una sierra de la mecanizada. ¡No señor no eres carpintero! No usurpes un puesto solamente porque puedes y tienes los medios para hacerlo, ¡NO! TU A LO TUYO-CON COMPROMISO, CON VOCACION, CON ENTREGA Y CON ENTUSIASMO.” En ese instante entro mi madrastra Hondureña, pensé ¡GRACIAS A MI PADRE!, y exhale. ¡Qué bueno que algunos todavía TENEMOS MADRE!
