Original Message (Pre-Screened)
Category: Race/Ethnicity
Subject: Pursuing the American dream
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I don't think it has much to do with being used to living at a lower wage. I don't think blacks, Hispanics or whites who work at 7-Elevens take the jobs because they're more used to living a lower-end lifestyle.

When immigrants get here, they take whatever jobs they can get. If that means working below their qualifications at home, so be it. Being in the United States provides more opportunities for the future and may mean sacrificing some in the short term.

Furthermore, I think immigrants really like the idea of owning their own business. Franchises are a quick way to set something up. I'd guess that most small, independently owned shops (whether franchises or truly independent) are run by recent immigrants. It's a cultural aspiration for many immigrants to own their own business. It's what's seen as the American dream, really: to have a business that's completely yours and be your own boss.
Posted:4/20/2004
By:
Mervyn , San Francisco, CA, United States , 26 , Male , Other Pacific Islander , Straight , Law student , Over 4 Years of College , Middle class
Mesg ID: b03da0c7-c11f-424f-b9a2-60526ec358ae
Responses:4
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Category: Race/Ethnicity
Subject: 711
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We don't have 711 or dunkin donuts here. But what we do have are extremely high proportions of Middle Eastern Men buying all of the convenience stores in the area beginning with the lower income areas first. They walk into the stores with big briefcases of money and ask the owner if they would like to make a deal. Eventually every store in our area will be owned by Middle Eastern men with the exception of the mom and pop traditional owners who don't want to part with the family business. Someone explain this to me?
Posted:8/3/2005
By:
Erica , Central, LA, United States
Mesg ID: ab72410b-6ee2-4eba-b9c1-a569a652f225
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Category: Race/Ethnicity
Subject: Pursuing the American dream
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I don't believe many Indians earn lower-wages working at 7-11's since most of them own the store. South Asians in large cities such as Houston own a good majority of the convenience stores. Chances are if you see an Indian working at a retail store, he either owns it or is related to the owner. Even educated South Asians find that this business can sometimes bring a higher income then a 9 to 5 job.
Posted:4/4/2005
By:
Ali , Houston, TX, United States , 18 , Male , Asian , Student , Upper class
Mesg ID: 05e20c90-2003-4f28-95b3-39b58149e124
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Category: Race/Ethnicity
Subject: Small Business
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I suspect that there are a lot of mid-eastern convenience store workers(/owners?) for the same reason that there are a lot of greek run/owned diners in New Jersey and a lot of Korean bodegas in NYC.. I'm not exactly sure what that reason is, but I think it may have something to do with ethnic solidarity, so to speak, and the opportunities provided to recent immigrants o find work among their fellow expatriots? That's the rough idea I got from reading about Japanese-American history, anyway.
Posted:1/25/2005
By:
Bruce , Chicago, IL, United States , 26 , White/Caucasian , 2 Years of College
Mesg ID: 01c6cea5-2342-467a-b406-d9817462beeb
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Category: Race/Ethnicity
Subject: Not always a bad thing...
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There is something to be said for preceding thoughts. This topic isn't as taboo as you may suspect. I, a well versed nephrologist of Bagh Buta, Islanmabad Territory came seeking the western dream. I arrived to find that great barriers indeed lie ahead. I gave first consideration to my family.

The 7-11 was very close and it reminded me of the market. The scents and smells reminded me of our home market, a time of warmth, and it was a good place to meet good friends. It was a social place and it still is a good place our community to share ideas and stories. We converge and share the good among us, like me, there are others looking for some familarity in this fascinating new culture we'd encountered.

Ten years later I own this 7-11. It hasn't been without its trials, granted, but there mas been a very real shift in the reason I among my fellow man. Nephrology was about healing people, but in a very real way, my stake in building business for my community is very tangible way of helping people. I gave my brother his first job here when he arrived. I am proud to have done this.

There comes a point when you realize that the sum of your life is how you've impacted others, as selflessly as possible, and never reject the idea of taking a setback as a chance to learn; perhaps change.

Thank you, and please come again.

Sanjit
Posted:11/24/2004
By:
Nabibukhsh Alim-ud-din , Portland, OR, United States , 56 , Male , New Age/Metaphysical , Pakistan , Straight , Business Mogul , Over 4 Years of College , Middle class
Mesg ID: 0356be8d-c301-4465-880c-b642def0d908
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