62 https://tokensmagazine.com/images/2021-first-edition/tokens-magazine-10-01-2021/89-story-soring-Charlene.pdf
A Soaring Chance
Personally, I'm not asking for equal opportunity, give me AN opportunity. My work is my worth. But when the door gets slammed shut, there's no longer a chance for me to fail. Confidently, I admit defeat.
I've failed at every attempt to make something out of nothing. With nothing to show in the way of success for all my hard work, toil and sacrifice.
The scars tell their own tales.
I took every chance though. Not one opportunity fled me, each one persisted under extreme pressure, injustices, unfairness and lack of compassion and understanding.
One female staff, whose paycheck I signed each week, had the nerve to look me in the face and flat out told me, "you came here to get something from America." Did I say I signed her paycheck every week.
Another staffer, with low performance record, shouted me down, with words of scorn and told me that I would never be able to do another business in this town, she vowed to destroy my business. And that she did in every sense.
Another, indignantly walked off the job after I refused to hire her laaazy husband. Needless to say, I was never boss of the year. Not three years later, my phone rang... This time, the voice was humbled and regretful. With much admiration, and kindness, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work at my restaurant.
She recalled joyful moments. She missed delicious dumplings lapping up ackee and salted cod fish. She asked for recipes. The same who said then "can anything good come out of Nazareth," are the same who today can't bare to believe there might have been something of value from yours truly.
My philosophy, my approach is unconventional to say the least. However, my vision for success is as clear as molasses. I carry out every plan and objective with the clarity of dawn's early light on a winter's morn.
Like many, I didn't come to America for equal opportunity. We, aliens at one point or another, came to the United States of America, to whom we've sanely swore allegiance, for one wish, one chance, one opportunity.
We've aligned our hearts with pride to its pledge of allegiance.