A young Colombian man who is having neighbor problems stated that I can't know what it's like to be dicriminated against for your race. I showed him a picture of a "Help Wanted; Irish Need Not Apply" sign that greeted my grandfather when he arrived here. The story of my grandmother moving her family in the middle of the night to avoid the landlord with no family, no sympathy, and no welfare check to fall back on made an impression.

I told him that he and his fellow Colombians needed to think in terms of political and economic power. And suggested that he or some other likely candidate run for local office with the backing of the Colombian community. A seed planted...

I second "The Great Hunger" but be forewarned it will provoke anger and sorrow at the stupidity, cruelty, and indifference that allowed thousands to starve to death.