THE PATHS DON'T MATTER...:

Playing Ball Vs. Apple Picking (JAMES ALLEN, August 20, 2008, NY Sun)

David and Juan both are driven to work hard and provide for their families. Their friends call them Papi. Both are from the Dominican Republic. David has never heard of Juan, yet each day Juan takes the time to check how many hits Big Papi had for the Red Sox because, like David, he too loves baseball.

Other than the many traditional and ethnic characteristics, for the most part the similarities stop there. The differences between them are huge.

David "Big Papi" Ortiz, a star batter for the Boston Red Sox, became an American citizen on June 11, 2008, while Juan "Papi" Sanchez, a migrant farm laborer, did not. Both David and Juan came to America to make their fortune based on their skills, one hitting a ball better than most Americans, the other doing a job that most Americans would not do.

Both took different paths to get to America. More than 15 years ago, Mr. Ortiz was recruited by many wealthy baseball owners that saw his value and spared no expense to get him into the U.S. David always dreamed of playing ball in America and all he had to do was be good enough to be discovered; as he was. He was welcomed into the professional baseball leagues, paid handsomely, and treated as a national treasure.

Mr. Sanchez's entry into the U.S. was much different. Immigrating to America was also Juan's dream, not to play ball, but to have the opportunity to work hard and earn a respectful living. His efforts to obtain legal entry papers were constantly denied for no apparent reason; except perhaps because his talents were his work ethics and not his ability to entertain.

David was blessed to be a talented athlete, while Juan's talent was working hard. Juan's dream was to not be denied and he finally did find his way to America. No one welcomed Juan, but once here his talents were in demand.

Being a hard worker is a simple talent that so many Americans lack, or chose not to use, especially harvesting produce.

...the destination does.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 21, 2008 8:19 AM