A phrase to remove from my repertoire

Recently, I had to deal with a member of the law enforcement. I did not break any laws; it was simply a mundane approval process that the US government choose to use a uniformed personnel to administer.

While waiting for the computer to complete the transaction, the officer, since he was uniformed, felt obligated to engage a conversation. He knew a lot about me from the application. “This place you live in California a couple of years ago,” he said. “I heard that’s an affluent neighborhood.” “Kind of,” I replied. “Silicon valley is an expensive place to live.” “I heard it had become an Asian town. Like California is now full of Mexicans.” I did not know how to respond and he kept on. “That’s why I felt this country (the US) has no hope anymore. So I moved.” This conversation took place in a border town, within the United States, near Canada. This officer went on to say that he now live in Canada and commute into Washington to work. “The US has been taken over by…” Upon hearing what came out of his mouth, I vowed never to use this phrase. “You people.”

“My people,” he said. “Came to the US before there was an US.” “On the May Flower?” I asked. “Not exactly,” he said. “But close.” He continued. “I knew that you people had an immigration mind set, but there are non-immigrants in this country, lots of them, like me. You know.” Yes, I was stung again with that phrase and left speechless one more time.

He ruined my day and made me feel less hopeful for this country. He stopped short of telling me to go back where I came from. And I bit my lips telling him that we will be better off with more people like me than him.

He eventually rubber stamped on my application and we parted way, hopefully never to cross again.