Today, I called a facility on behalf of a friend who doesn't speak English. She needed to make an…read moreappointment for her son, who also isn't fluent in English. Both are here legally and pay taxes--her son even works. The phone rang, and a man named "Stu" answered.
I explained the situation, letting him know why I was calling and making the appointment for them. The moment he understood what I was saying, his entire demeanor shifted. His tone turned cold and condescending, and he asked, "How are we supposed to understand them then?" His attitude was palpable.
He abruptly put me on hold. When he returned, he said there was an opening for next month, but his frustration was evident as he began asking for the boy's information. For some reason, he became flustered and placed me on hold again.
This time, I was connected to a woman named Elise, and she was the complete opposite of Stu. Elise was kind, professional, and understanding. She took the information without any issue, wished me a good day, and even thanked me for calling. Her attitude was a breath of fresh air, but it made Stu's behavior stand out even more.
I understand that tensions are high right now with the ongoing migration issues. I fully support efforts to secure our borders. However, that doesn't give anyone the right to mistreat others--especially those who are here legally. A simple, polite response like, "I'm sorry, we don't have anyone who speaks her language. Does she have someone who can interpret when she arrives?" would have been sufficient.
Instead, Stu seemed determined to create a problem where there didn't need to be one. I can't shake the feeling that his behavior stemmed from a deeper, racial issue. At the very least, it was a blatant lack of respect and professionalism.
Next month, we'll be seeing Stu in person. I can only hope the facility addresses his attitude before then. Everyone deserves to be treated with basic human decency--no matter their background.