Hello,
Today is time for me to touch one very painful and unpleasant subject of my life in the country, which proclaims freedom and equal rights for it's nation as the most important and significant sign of democracy, USA.
Is there really freedom and equal rights in America?
I am American citizen from 04/20/2010. That was the most amazing and happiest day in my life - I said to myself : Finally I am accepted, finally I am a part of a great nation, finally I am American and I am going to be an honored one. On that sunshiny morning of April everything looked possible for me.
Unfortunately, not everyone are accepting me as I thought. I couldn't get rid of my "Russian accent" - I came to America at age of 31 and my East European will stay with me for the rest of my life.
My disappointment came from the fact that even after I educated myself, I became a responsible part of the society, I became citizen, most of the born here Americans do not accept as as equal. Examples are surrounding me everywhere, every day, but the most painful experience I had at my recent place of work- Sunrise Senior Living of Highland Park, IL.
I have always looked on the humorous side if somebody had some kind of racist remarks towards me, and I felt that part of it is probably my fault I was and am trying constantly to improve my language skills and pronounceation.
The new director of Sunrise Senior Living, Joan Barris made it very clear for me.
Once I overheard her saying that I am not appropriate for the position as Activity and Volunteer Coordinator I am taking with my accent.
Then, in front of one corporate person Christine Sdrenka on a conversational level I was called "You with your Russian accent".
Third time in front of the HR Representative Jennifer Greaney it was said to me:" ...but you do have Russian accent".
What is the meaning of all this?
Does it mean that I don't deserve to work as Activity and Volunteer Coordinator after all my qualifications and 6 devoted years in this company?
Does it mean that I can be only at the front line positions- as serving level employee, but not at the managing tire. That was offered to me at my first one on one conversation with this director.
I am not working anymore for Sunrise Senior Living. Of her 4th month of service to the company, Joan Barris fired me, right after I said to her that I would like to have shared our conversations with the Area Manager for the the company.
I am not Russian. I am coming from very little country located next to Greece in Europe - Bulgaria. I don't call myself anymore Bulgarian, I am coming from Bulgaria but I am American and I am proud to be.
For a long period of time I was battling in myself if I have to share this painful experience. I don't believe in revenge and I don't want to harm nobody.
I just think is time to raise my opinion of how I feel after little remarks in the supermarket, or on the kids playground, or even in the city hall when I pay my car stickers, or the guy who's dog bit my daughter and did not wanted to give me response if the dog has all the immunizations and scabby shots, because he is born in this country and if I don't like it to go back from where I came from.
There is discrimination in America on every level of the society. The question is: Do we want to notice it?
Today is time for me to touch one very painful and unpleasant subject of my life in the country, which proclaims freedom and equal rights for it's nation as the most important and significant sign of democracy, USA.
Is there really freedom and equal rights in America?
I am American citizen from 04/20/2010. That was the most amazing and happiest day in my life - I said to myself : Finally I am accepted, finally I am a part of a great nation, finally I am American and I am going to be an honored one. On that sunshiny morning of April everything looked possible for me.
Unfortunately, not everyone are accepting me as I thought. I couldn't get rid of my "Russian accent" - I came to America at age of 31 and my East European will stay with me for the rest of my life.
My disappointment came from the fact that even after I educated myself, I became a responsible part of the society, I became citizen, most of the born here Americans do not accept as as equal. Examples are surrounding me everywhere, every day, but the most painful experience I had at my recent place of work- Sunrise Senior Living of Highland Park, IL.
I have always looked on the humorous side if somebody had some kind of racist remarks towards me, and I felt that part of it is probably my fault I was and am trying constantly to improve my language skills and pronounceation.
The new director of Sunrise Senior Living, Joan Barris made it very clear for me.
Once I overheard her saying that I am not appropriate for the position as Activity and Volunteer Coordinator I am taking with my accent.
Then, in front of one corporate person Christine Sdrenka on a conversational level I was called "You with your Russian accent".
Third time in front of the HR Representative Jennifer Greaney it was said to me:" ...but you do have Russian accent".
What is the meaning of all this?
Does it mean that I don't deserve to work as Activity and Volunteer Coordinator after all my qualifications and 6 devoted years in this company?
Does it mean that I can be only at the front line positions- as serving level employee, but not at the managing tire. That was offered to me at my first one on one conversation with this director.
I am not working anymore for Sunrise Senior Living. Of her 4th month of service to the company, Joan Barris fired me, right after I said to her that I would like to have shared our conversations with the Area Manager for the the company.
I am not Russian. I am coming from very little country located next to Greece in Europe - Bulgaria. I don't call myself anymore Bulgarian, I am coming from Bulgaria but I am American and I am proud to be.
For a long period of time I was battling in myself if I have to share this painful experience. I don't believe in revenge and I don't want to harm nobody.
I just think is time to raise my opinion of how I feel after little remarks in the supermarket, or on the kids playground, or even in the city hall when I pay my car stickers, or the guy who's dog bit my daughter and did not wanted to give me response if the dog has all the immunizations and scabby shots, because he is born in this country and if I don't like it to go back from where I came from.
There is discrimination in America on every level of the society. The question is: Do we want to notice it?
