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Read comments (13)The "Welcoming Tennessee Presentation" is described as "an overview of immigrants and immigration in Tennessee." The event is scheduled to take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at 100 East Side Square.
According to Carlos Mejia, local organizer of the event, the presentation will host members of the Hispanic and Somali communities and talk about the Welcoming Tennessee Initiative (WTI).
The WTI is described as "a collaboration of concerned Tennesseans from all walks of life -- business, law enforcement, community and faith -- who are proud that Tennessee is a welcoming state, and are working to continue that noble tradition by increasing understanding of how new Tennesseans share our values, contribute to our economy, enhance our combined culture and strengthen our communities."
Mejia said that church and community leaders from throughout Shelbyville will attend, as well as members of the immigrant community.
"We will share what our experience has been with the community and then what they can do to integrate into the community," Mejia said. "What to do to be involved with the community."
The WTI was started by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) of Nashville, who placed billboards around Shelbyville last month to educate the Shelbyville community about their new neighbors, according to Catalina Nieto, public awareness coordinator for TIRRC.
The TIRRC has already been working in conjunction with the Somali Community Center of Nashville and members of Bedford County Sheriff's Department about what is expected of immigrants when dealing with law enforcement. Nieto said more endeavors are planned for the future.
For more information on the event, contact Majia at camrod58@aol.com .
How about the drunk Mexican man running into traffic that was hit on Madison St. Friday night, he's lucky he's not dead! Broken bones mend...
The real victim was a 16 yr. old girl that just left work, wasn't speeding, was wearing her seatbelt, and did nothing wrong. She will have to live the rest of her life knowing that she hit a man, she's the one that will be going to counseling to help her understand it was not her fault and quit wishing it was her that got hit rather than his drunk A$$. No teenager should ever have to experience such a tragedy!
I'm sorry but there's no offering a positive impression of their communities in my book and never will be.
His comment about Khat, is what they eat. They had it on a Store that was on depot street at one time.
Posted by Momof3&3step&1gran on Sun, May 25, 2008, at 5:37 PM
BTW . . .khat is a common drug used by Somalis since it is legal in their own country but not in the USA Posted by jaxspike on Mon, May 26, 2008, at 5:59 PM
My apologies, I do not remember what they had written on the top of the store on depot st. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have that (khat) wrote up there, if it was drugs.
Curious, does anybody know what the name was or what they sold at that place?
Everyone do not have a problem with new races coming here, just some of the people. And the ones that I hear complaining are the ones that have had a bad experience with them. I'm not saying their aren't people here from shelbyville that complain and don't want them here because of race, religion, or non-american because their are people complaining for that reason.
I'm saying If I lived in Davis Estates, and at that time I felt it was a nice place to live, then a group of of people (I'm black, and I don't care what race they are) moves in and keep up a bunch of noise, putting dents and scratches on my vehicle, and want to keep getting smart with me when I ask them to quite down, or stay of my vehicle. I too would be pissed. (And so would YOU)!
But I would do things different from jaxspike, If I could not get peace and quite, then neither would they, nor the landlord. The police would be called for disturbances constantly, I would be talking to every neighbor that was their before they came and making a "BIG DEAL" about the situation. And I would be saying the exact words or worst that jaxspike said. And it would not be because of their race. But because of the "h---" they had been causing me at my residence.
I have not had a problem with the somalis' nor the mexicans, so my tone is different toward them. But I have a relative, that was driving across the duck river bridge and was hit by a somali lady, the somali came up to her, ask her was she alright, and then yelled at her saying it was her fault. A bunch of somalis came and surrounded her while she was in the car saying the same things, and two white men came and pulled her out of the car that seen what happened and told the police what really happened.
This same relative went into Food Lion groccery store, she was walking down the aisle and as she came out of the aisle, a somali lady walked across, they bumped into each other and the somali lady yelled at her calling her filthy and dirty and told her never to touch her. The argument exculated more and the managers had to come out to try and calm things down before they actually start fighting in there. To this day my relative can not stand the somalis' she groups them all the same way, as rude and mean. It's not right, but "Her experience" with some of them made her feel this way toward them. Not because of their race, religion, etc. But because of the way she was treated by some of them. And she is black.
Also, my criticism of white people who do meth and allow themselves to be white trash is far worse than what I have said about any other race. I dont single out any one group.
I have never been known as a racist . . .especially considering when my father died, I had to live with my aunt and uncle who had two adoptive girls who were black and one of them was like a sister to me. Also, I have many black friends and also dated a girl in high school who was originally from Ecuador. I am also friends with several people here who are from India and know several people also from the Hispanic community. So misslady, you are simply ignorant in your assumption in calling me racist. Maybe you should actually look the word up and then know the person you are calling that before using the word.
BTW . . .khat is a common drug used by Somalis since it is legal in their own country but not in the USA. Maybe you should know your facts before dismissing what someone else says. While living at Davis Estates, we also had many situations where Somalis dinged and nicked other people vehicles and they would never own to what they did. I even had one hit my car with his car door while I was sitting in the vehicle and when I got out, he proceeded to tell me he didn't hit my car even though I saw him do it and he just walked away and went into his apartment. We also saw a group of Somalis run a car into an apartment building and take out a side wall because they got confused between the accelerator and the brake. So yeah, my experiences were real and my perception was based on reality. What is your judgment of me based on? Oh yeah, stupidity and ignorance.
Thank you!
misslady,
All I have to say is, ROFLMAO at the race card. It is way overplayed and downright cowardice of you to even state to the contrary. Tell you what, show me two POSITIVE things the somalians have contributed to this town since they have been here. Until then, keep your comments to yourself unless you can back them up with facts.
My point is this...Shelbyville has a problem with whatever new race comes to reside there. At first they had a problem with blacks, then it went to the mexicans, now it's the somalians so to say that jaxspikes comment wasn't racist is ridiculous! That's just like saying that young black men need to be taught how to sell drugs without getting caught because they have got a bad rep for that as if they are the only ones in Shelbyville that sell drugs.The whites are known for meth labs but that doesn't mean they are the only ones that know about the drug. That was very racist, momof3 andyou know it.
I do not feel as if jaxspikes comment was racially motivated. Possibly because I read his past post of how he had to put up with some disresptful, and rude neighbors that were somalis. So I know where his anger is coming from. Every comment or criticism a white person makes about another race, is not racially motivated. Sometimes their are truths behind what is said.
His comment about Khat, is what they eat. They had it on a Store that was on depot street at one time.
The hit and run comment was a bit much. I know their have been car accidents caused by them, but I haven't heard of them fleeing the scene, unless he is talking about them putting scratches and dents in his vehicle and leaving (probably).
And let me say, misslady yes we are all Gods children, and we all make mistakes, and do things we should not do (my self included). Sometimes it takes being made an example of, going through some things, or hitting rock bottom before we open our eyes and see we really need to make changes. Just like you are telling jaxspike he is wrong for the comment he made, you have made a comment about another that was wrong too.
We need to remember that every group is made of individuals.
Health issues and upbringing may limit the degree of control we have over our behavior but it is our personal responsibility to act as decently as we can with the free will we possess.
Very few groups seriously mandate boorish behavior.
Most know that they have to demonstrate respectable conduct - especially if they hope to receive good treatment in return.
Our actions may be all that others can use to judge the groups we belong to.
They might question whether we are typical members and whether our groups condone or condemn our deeds.
(Are Anabaptists and other Plain folk more like the local Mennonites who were friendly and honorable or more like the handful of Amish who ran cruel puppy mills?)
People make judgements based on what they observe and what they hear an organization say about those who claim affiliation with them.
I suggest that we assume people are worthy of our respect until we know differently and that we try remedying their faults with compassion before offering our contempt.
We should also see them as their own persons first and an example of a race,creed,etc. second.
I wonder what impact it might have if we showed surprise when a person is rude or otherwise foolish.
If we show that we expect them to have enough maturity and meekness to exhibit good character,maybe they'll acquire enough self-respect to live in such a way that anyone would be proud to claim them.
If we indicate that we think they are stuck being slaves to their worst natures,they'll have little power and less incentive to get past their deficiencies.
Misslady . . . my uncle actually was one of those people killed in those series of car accidents a month or so ago. I know all about it.
Also, unlike you, I have had many dealings with the Somalis and none were pleasant nor did I appreciate the nicks and scratches they left on my new vehicle nor the many nights they kept me up while I lived at Davis Estates while they yelled in the hallways or were arguing in the parking lots or running their cars in the apartment buildings. Some Somalis also were caught a couple of times doing drugs in the hallways and they also ruined the place with the foul odors coming from their apartment or tearing up fixtures in the hallways.
Misslady . . . maybe you should know what you are talking about before opening your mouth and accusing someone of being racist. Unlike you, I make my comments off of actual personal experiences and not just what I read or think.
This comment is for jaxpike: that was a very racist comment! What about the white man that killed a man in his own yard with a car? You should be banned from making such comments and something is really wrong with you! We are ALL God's children and you will have to answer for that!
I daresay most of the people there (immigrants or non-immigrants) will be offering a positive impression of their communities.
The square is seldom set aside for people determined to be rowdy -and when it is,the paper tells the town in advance that the Red Hat girls are there to party!
Should there be a criminal element in evidence,maybe some of our homegrown folks could do a cultural exchange and show the people in that booth how OUR ethnic groups scalp people,kill revenooers,riot and plant bombs to take out people of the "wrong" background.
Of course,most of us aren't that anti-social but,then,most of our newcomers are probably prosaicly rational as well.
I guess I will need to avoid the square this weekend . . . maybe they will offer khat and provide lessons on how to properly commit a hit and run.