A Home on the Field | Paul Cuadros | TEDxUNC

my story is called a home on the field

my story is called a home on the field it’s it’s also the title of my book and

it’s it’s also the title of my book and

it’s it’s also the title of my book and my story begins in 1998 in Washington DC

my story begins in 1998 in Washington DC

my story begins in 1998 in Washington DC I’m a journalist I’m an investigative

I’m a journalist I’m an investigative

I’m a journalist I’m an investigative reporter and I’m working for a news

reporter and I’m working for a news

reporter and I’m working for a news organization and I’m researching a book

organization and I’m researching a book

organization and I’m researching a book on Congress and special interest money

on Congress and special interest money

on Congress and special interest money and i’m working on a chapter on workers

and i’m working on a chapter on workers

and i’m working on a chapter on workers safety issues specifically in the meat

safety issues specifically in the meat

safety issues specifically in the meat packing and poultry processing

packing and poultry processing

packing and poultry processing industries and one of the things that

industries and one of the things that

industries and one of the things that I’m finding is that the industry is

I’m finding is that the industry is

I’m finding is that the industry is recruiting workers along the border and

recruiting workers along the border and

recruiting workers along the border and in some cases they were transporting

in some cases they were transporting

in some cases they were transporting them to small little rural towns in the

them to small little rural towns in the

them to small little rural towns in the southeast and in the Midwest and I

southeast and in the Midwest and I

southeast and in the Midwest and I thought that was a great story I thought

thought that was a great story I thought

thought that was a great story I thought that was a story that I wanted to write

that was a story that I wanted to write

that was a story that I wanted to write about and a story with impact not only

about and a story with impact not only

about and a story with impact not only at that time but also going on into the

at that time but also going on into the

at that time but also going on into the future because i figured that these

future because i figured that these

future because i figured that these communities would begin to change and

communities would begin to change and

communities would begin to change and change forever and i thought that in

change forever and i thought that in

change forever and i thought that in addition to those communities those

addition to those communities those

addition to those communities those states would begin to change and from

states would begin to change and from

states would begin to change and from there the country would begin to change

there the country would begin to change

there the country would begin to change as well but unfortunately at that time

as well but unfortunately at that time

as well but unfortunately at that time in 1998 i couldn’t convince a single

in 1998 i couldn’t convince a single

in 1998 i couldn’t convince a single editor to invest in a story on

editor to invest in a story on

editor to invest in a story on immigration nobody cared about that

immigration nobody cared about that

immigration nobody cared about that issue today it’s perhaps one of the most

issue today it’s perhaps one of the most

issue today it’s perhaps one of the most important issues facing our country I

important issues facing our country I

important issues facing our country I ended up getting a fellowship and moving

ended up getting a fellowship and moving

ended up getting a fellowship and moving to a smaller rural town in North

to a smaller rural town in North

to a smaller rural town in North Carolina called Siler City about maybe

Carolina called Siler City about maybe

Carolina called Siler City about maybe 3540 miles away from here three chicken

3540 miles away from here three chicken

3540 miles away from here three chicken processing plants a feed mill a hatchery

processing plants a feed mill a hatchery

processing plants a feed mill a hatchery and thousands of poultry workers mostly

and thousands of poultry workers mostly

and thousands of poultry workers mostly from Mexico and Central America had

from Mexico and Central America had

from Mexico and Central America had moved to this tiny little town and I had

moved to this tiny little town and I had

moved to this tiny little town and I had never lived in a rural community before

never lived in a rural community before

never lived in a rural community before I’d lived in Los Angeles and Chicago and

I’d lived in Los Angeles and Chicago and

I’d lived in Los Angeles and Chicago and Washington and I have to confess to you

Washington and I have to confess to you

Washington and I have to confess to you that I was just bored out of my mind in

that I was just bored out of my mind in

that I was just bored out of my mind in a small little town like Siler City and

a small little town like Siler City and

a small little town like Siler City and I began to coach

I began to coach

I began to coach a soccer team there and I met these

a soccer team there and I met these

a soccer team there and I met these wonderful boys who were desperate to

wonderful boys who were desperate to

wonderful boys who were desperate to create a team at their local high school

create a team at their local high school

create a team at their local high school jordan matthews high school but each and

jordan matthews high school but each and

jordan matthews high school but each and every time that they had gone to the

every time that they had gone to the

every time that they had gone to the administration to create the team

administration to create the team

administration to create the team they’ve been told no and what they

they’ve been told no and what they

they’ve been told no and what they didn’t understand was that Siler City

didn’t understand was that Siler City

didn’t understand was that Siler City was a football town not a football town

my story my book is about immigration

my story my book is about immigration and changing demographics there are two

and changing demographics there are two

and changing demographics there are two demographic trends today one is called

demographic trends today one is called

demographic trends today one is called the grain of America and this is the

the grain of America and this is the

the grain of America and this is the giant baby boom population that invented

giant baby boom population that invented

giant baby boom population that invented rock and roll that dropped out and then

rock and roll that dropped out and then

rock and roll that dropped out and then sold out in the 80s and took over Wall

sold out in the 80s and took over Wall

sold out in the 80s and took over Wall Street and is the dominant population

Street and is the dominant population

Street and is the dominant population today and that population is aging out

today and that population is aging out

today and that population is aging out and leaving us at the same time there’s

and leaving us at the same time there’s

and leaving us at the same time there’s another demographic trend and that’s

another demographic trend and that’s

another demographic trend and that’s called the Browning of America our

called the Browning of America our

called the Browning of America our country is getting more diverse and

country is getting more diverse and

country is getting more diverse and getting different and both these trends

getting different and both these trends

getting different and both these trends are at play perhaps in everything that

are at play perhaps in everything that

are at play perhaps in everything that we’re thinking about and talking about

we’re thinking about and talking about

we’re thinking about and talking about in the country today and these were the

in the country today and these were the

in the country today and these were the trends that I was seen in these small

trends that I was seen in these small

trends that I was seen in these small rural communities in these proletarian

rural communities in these proletarian

rural communities in these proletarian towns like Siler City this is the growth

towns like Siler City this is the growth

towns like Siler City this is the growth of the Latin X or Latino community over

of the Latin X or Latino community over

of the Latin X or Latino community over the past ten years and you can see that

the past ten years and you can see that

the past ten years and you can see that most of that growth has happened here in

most of that growth has happened here in

most of that growth has happened here in the southeast and this is directly

the southeast and this is directly

the southeast and this is directly because of the food processing industry

because of the food processing industry

because of the food processing industry and its recruiting practices this is an

and its recruiting practices this is an

and its recruiting practices this is an industry that went out and saw cheap

industry that went out and saw cheap

industry that went out and saw cheap labor a lot of people today like to talk

labor a lot of people today like to talk

labor a lot of people today like to talk about this issue in terms of you know

about this issue in terms of you know

about this issue in terms of you know this is the changing demographics this

this is the changing demographics this

this is the changing demographics this is an invasion not so at all this was an

is an invasion not so at all this was an

is an invasion not so at all this was an invitation by big business to bring

invitation by big business to bring

invitation by big business to bring people in to work cheaply and you can

people in to work cheaply and you can

people in to work cheaply and you can see this change over the past 20 years

see this change over the past 20 years

see this change over the past 20 years here in North Carolina and you can see

here in North Carolina and you can see

here in North Carolina and you can see both these demographic trends in the

both these demographic trends in the

both these demographic trends in the green reges and in the yellow wedges

green reges and in the yellow wedges

green reges and in the yellow wedges that we see here the Latino population

that we see here the Latino population

that we see here the Latino population in North Carolina has

in North Carolina has

in North Carolina has own and today it’s about eight point

own and today it’s about eight point

own and today it’s about eight point four percent and it’s true in the United

four percent and it’s true in the United

four percent and it’s true in the United States as well where it’s about

States as well where it’s about

States as well where it’s about seventeen percent of the population and

seventeen percent of the population and

seventeen percent of the population and on its way to maybe being a quarter

on its way to maybe being a quarter

on its way to maybe being a quarter siler city itself has changed from a

siler city itself has changed from a

siler city itself has changed from a town of 8,000 people a population in

town of 8,000 people a population in

town of 8,000 people a population in 1990 of maybe less than 2% today is at

1990 of maybe less than 2% today is at

1990 of maybe less than 2% today is at almost fifty percent if not more this is

almost fifty percent if not more this is

almost fifty percent if not more this is the majority community in Siler City and

the majority community in Siler City and

the majority community in Siler City and it’s happened in the last 20-some years

it’s happened in the last 20-some years

it’s happened in the last 20-some years and you can see the trend here in terms

and you can see the trend here in terms

and you can see the trend here in terms of the generations this is a community

of the generations this is a community

of the generations this is a community that has gotten younger this is a trend

that has gotten younger this is a trend

that has gotten younger this is a trend that you don’t see in the United States

that you don’t see in the United States

that you don’t see in the United States our communities get older they don’t get

our communities get older they don’t get

our communities get older they don’t get younger but in a town like Siler City it

younger but in a town like Siler City it

younger but in a town like Siler City it cuts against the grain it’s a community

cuts against the grain it’s a community

cuts against the grain it’s a community that is getting younger and this is

that is getting younger and this is

that is getting younger and this is because when you break it down by race

because when you break it down by race

because when you break it down by race and ethnicity and you look at the median

and ethnicity and you look at the median

and ethnicity and you look at the median age you look at white who are not Latino

age you look at white who are not Latino

age you look at white who are not Latino coming in at around 56 years old and

coming in at around 56 years old and

coming in at around 56 years old and african-americans at 43 meanwhile the

african-americans at 43 meanwhile the

african-americans at 43 meanwhile the Latinos are at 23 years old that’s an

Latinos are at 23 years old that’s an

Latinos are at 23 years old that’s an incredibly young population at 56 I can

incredibly young population at 56 I can

incredibly young population at 56 I can guarantee you nobody wants to have

guarantee you nobody wants to have

guarantee you nobody wants to have another child at 43 maybe doubtful but

another child at 43 maybe doubtful but

another child at 43 maybe doubtful but at 23 that’s a community that is in its

at 23 that’s a community that is in its

at 23 that’s a community that is in its prime childbearing years and will be the

prime childbearing years and will be the

prime childbearing years and will be the future for Siler City and for that

future for Siler City and for that

future for Siler City and for that county and will be the future as well

county and will be the future as well

county and will be the future as well for our state and our country it has not

for our state and our country it has not

for our state and our country it has not been an easy time for Siler City it has

been an easy time for Siler City it has

been an easy time for Siler City it has gone through what I call like the five

gone through what I call like the five

gone through what I call like the five stages of dealing with demographic

stages of dealing with demographic

stages of dealing with demographic change it’s been depressed at times and

change it’s been depressed at times and

change it’s been depressed at times and I’ve heard that from people it’s tried

I’ve heard that from people it’s tried

I’ve heard that from people it’s tried to bargain the longtime residents have

to bargain the longtime residents have

to bargain the longtime residents have said things like you know when the

said things like you know when the

said things like you know when the poultry industry goes these people will

poultry industry goes these people will

poultry industry goes these people will leave as well we’ll get our town back

leave as well we’ll get our town back

leave as well we’ll get our town back and it’s also been through an angry

and it’s also been through an angry

and it’s also been through an angry stage and in the year 2000 when I was

stage and in the year 2000 when I was

stage and in the year 2000 when I was there it held this anti-immigrant rally

there it held this anti-immigrant rally

there it held this anti-immigrant rally which featured David Duke and David do

which featured David Duke and David do

which featured David Duke and David do got up there and talked for

got up there and talked for

got up there and talked for two hours about the industry bringing in

two hours about the industry bringing in

two hours about the industry bringing in these workers and how they needed to be

these workers and how they needed to be

these workers and how they needed to be rounded up and sent back home and

rounded up and sent back home and

rounded up and sent back home and deported sounds a lot like what’s going

deported sounds a lot like what’s going

deported sounds a lot like what’s going on today back to the team I did

on today back to the team I did

on today back to the team I did something that most journalists don’t do

something that most journalists don’t do

something that most journalists don’t do I got involved and I took up their cause

I got involved and I took up their cause

I got involved and I took up their cause to push forward this team and to get it

to push forward this team and to get it

to push forward this team and to get it created at Jordan Matthews high school

created at Jordan Matthews high school

created at Jordan Matthews high school and after a good deal of effort we were

and after a good deal of effort we were

and after a good deal of effort we were able to successfully get the team

able to successfully get the team

able to successfully get the team together our first season we went 14 and

together our first season we went 14 and

together our first season we went 14 and to our second season we went 16 and 2

to our second season we went 16 and 2

to our second season we went 16 and 2 and I knew that this team had great

and I knew that this team had great

and I knew that this team had great potential to go on and do better things

potential to go on and do better things

potential to go on and do better things and for the boys on this team the boys

and for the boys on this team the boys

and for the boys on this team the boys who had felt alienated who never really

who had felt alienated who never really

who had felt alienated who never really feel connected to their school for them

feel connected to their school for them

feel connected to their school for them to dawn these uniforms and to wear these

to dawn these uniforms and to wear these

to dawn these uniforms and to wear these colors this was their first opportunity

colors this was their first opportunity

colors this was their first opportunity to feel as if they belong to their

to feel as if they belong to their

to feel as if they belong to their community as if they had a home that

community as if they had a home that

community as if they had a home that field represented that to them I want

field represented that to them I want

field represented that to them I want you to take a look at the center

you to take a look at the center

you to take a look at the center character in this picture in the yellow

character in this picture in the yellow

character in this picture in the yellow jersey this is a kid named fish when

jersey this is a kid named fish when

jersey this is a kid named fish when fish first came to the United States at

fish first came to the United States at

fish first came to the United States at 11 years old he was brought here by his

11 years old he was brought here by his

11 years old he was brought here by his family who worked in the poultry

family who worked in the poultry

family who worked in the poultry industry he arrived on his first day at

industry he arrived on his first day at

industry he arrived on his first day at school not speaking a word of English

school not speaking a word of English

school not speaking a word of English his teacher asked him what his favorite

his teacher asked him what his favorite

his teacher asked him what his favorite food was and the only word he knew was

food was and the only word he knew was

food was and the only word he knew was fish and all the other kids made fun of

fish and all the other kids made fun of

fish and all the other kids made fun of him and they laughed at him and that

him and they laughed at him and that

him and they laughed at him and that became his nickname and to this day

became his nickname and to this day

became his nickname and to this day that’s what he’s called that’s what he’s

that’s what he’s called that’s what he’s

that’s what he’s called that’s what he’s known as is fish and fish became a great

known as is fish and fish became a great

known as is fish and fish became a great goalkeeper he played all over he played

goalkeeper he played all over he played

goalkeeper he played all over he played in the streets he played in la liga

in the streets he played in la liga

in the streets he played in la liga ‘he’s he played anywhere that he could

‘he’s he played anywhere that he could

‘he’s he played anywhere that he could and he he expanded his skills and he

and he he expanded his skills and he

and he he expanded his skills and he became an expert goalkeeper in his

became an expert goalkeeper in his

became an expert goalkeeper in his junior year in high school he came to me

junior year in high school he came to me

junior year in high school he came to me and he said guiadas I’ve got a problem I

and he said guiadas I’ve got a problem I

and he said guiadas I’ve got a problem I said okay what’s up and he told me that

said okay what’s up and he told me that

said okay what’s up and he told me that he needed to go back to Mexico because

he needed to go back to Mexico because

he needed to go back to Mexico because his grandmother was dying and he told me

his grandmother was dying and he told me

his grandmother was dying and he told me a story about when he’d left my

a story about when he’d left my

a story about when he’d left my ago and he left feta crews that he

ago and he left feta crews that he

ago and he left feta crews that he didn’t have the courage at seven years

didn’t have the courage at seven years

didn’t have the courage at seven years old to to say goodbye to her and he

old to to say goodbye to her and he

old to to say goodbye to her and he wanted to get that chance back and this

wanted to get that chance back and this

wanted to get that chance back and this was his opportunity now I’ve been

was his opportunity now I’ve been

was his opportunity now I’ve been coaching the team now for two years and

coaching the team now for two years and

coaching the team now for two years and I was worried because we were just about

I was worried because we were just about

I was worried because we were just about to go into a third season and with a

to go into a third season and with a

to go into a third season and with a player like fish we had tremendous

player like fish we had tremendous

player like fish we had tremendous chances of going on even further in the

chances of going on even further in the

chances of going on even further in the state tournament and so I knew that this

state tournament and so I knew that this

state tournament and so I knew that this was going to be a huge loss to the team

was going to be a huge loss to the team

was going to be a huge loss to the team and I said well if you have to go then

and I said well if you have to go then

and I said well if you have to go then go and I really thought in my mind that

go and I really thought in my mind that

go and I really thought in my mind that I would never see fish again I really

I would never see fish again I really

I would never see fish again I really thought that and so fish left and he

thought that and so fish left and he

thought that and so fish left and he returned back to Mexico and after

returned back to Mexico and after

returned back to Mexico and after spending a month or two months over the

spending a month or two months over the

spending a month or two months over the summer time being with his grandmother

summer time being with his grandmother

summer time being with his grandmother and getting that opportunity to say

and getting that opportunity to say

and getting that opportunity to say goodbye to her he wanted to come back he

goodbye to her he wanted to come back he

goodbye to her he wanted to come back he had left behind his girlfriend he had

had left behind his girlfriend he had

had left behind his girlfriend he had left behind his friends he left behind

left behind his friends he left behind

left behind his friends he left behind his school and he left behind his team

his school and he left behind his team

his school and he left behind his team and the field that he played on and he

and the field that he played on and he

and the field that he played on and he wanted to go home because Siler City had

wanted to go home because Siler City had

wanted to go home because Siler City had become home for him he wanted to come

become home for him he wanted to come

become home for him he wanted to come home and so he did something that many

home and so he did something that many

home and so he did something that many people have done he crossed the border

people have done he crossed the border

people have done he crossed the border he spent five days in the desert took

he spent five days in the desert took

he spent five days in the desert took about three gallons of water with him a

about three gallons of water with him a

about three gallons of water with him a lot of cans of tuna and tortillas and

lot of cans of tuna and tortillas and

lot of cans of tuna and tortillas and crossed that desert by himself in a

crossed that desert by himself in a

crossed that desert by himself in a group of people and his crossing was

group of people and his crossing was

group of people and his crossing was tough he saw many things that kids

tough he saw many things that kids

tough he saw many things that kids should not see and one of the things

should not see and one of the things

should not see and one of the things that I realized in coaching the Jets is

that I realized in coaching the Jets is

that I realized in coaching the Jets is that all the kids have been touched by

that all the kids have been touched by

that all the kids have been touched by the desert in some way it leaves its

the desert in some way it leaves its

the desert in some way it leaves its mark on that and it has when I’ve

mark on that and it has when I’ve

mark on that and it has when I’ve coached the team they’re more mature

coached the team they’re more mature

coached the team they’re more mature they’re more purposeful they are not

they’re more purposeful they are not

they’re more purposeful they are not like other kids they have seen things

like other kids they have seen things

like other kids they have seen things that other kids have not seen and been

that other kids have not seen and been

that other kids have not seen and been through things that other kids have not

through things that other kids have not

through things that other kids have not been through

been through

been through he spent five days in the desert until

he spent five days in the desert until

he spent five days in the desert until he finally he made it back to a safe

he finally he made it back to a safe

he finally he made it back to a safe house and at that safe house he was able

house and at that safe house he was able

house and at that safe house he was able to use a telephone and he called his

to use a telephone and he called his

to use a telephone and he called his brother in Siler City and he asked him

brother in Siler City and he asked him

brother in Siler City and he asked him some questions how’s his girlfriend and

some questions how’s his girlfriend and

some questions how’s his girlfriend and then he asked them how’s the team doing

then he asked them how’s the team doing

then he asked them how’s the team doing are the tryouts going on what’s going on

are the tryouts going on what’s going on

are the tryouts going on what’s going on with the team and then he spent the next

with the team and then he spent the next

with the team and then he spent the next two or three days traveling from the

two or three days traveling from the

two or three days traveling from the border through the United States to

border through the United States to

border through the United States to North Carolina and one day I think it

North Carolina and one day I think it

North Carolina and one day I think it was the last day of eligibility that we

was the last day of eligibility that we

was the last day of eligibility that we could actually sign up players to play

could actually sign up players to play

could actually sign up players to play that fall I was in the athletic

that fall I was in the athletic

that fall I was in the athletic director’s office my athletic director

director’s office my athletic director

director’s office my athletic director and he asked me how the team was looking

and he asked me how the team was looking

and he asked me how the team was looking this year and I i said to him coach well

this year and I i said to him coach well

this year and I i said to him coach well we could be doing a lot better if our

we could be doing a lot better if our

we could be doing a lot better if our goalkeeper were back and he said but

goalkeeper were back and he said but

goalkeeper were back and he said but wait a second he’s here he got here

wait a second he’s here he got here

wait a second he’s here he got here today and I said you’re kidding we got a

today and I said you’re kidding we got a

today and I said you’re kidding we got a game tonight so I rushed over to fish’s

game tonight so I rushed over to fish’s

game tonight so I rushed over to fish’s house and I saw him and I could see the

house and I saw him and I could see the

house and I saw him and I could see the signs of the desert on him he was

signs of the desert on him he was

signs of the desert on him he was thinner he had been dehydrated and he

thinner he had been dehydrated and he

thinner he had been dehydrated and he had been through an ordeal you could

had been through an ordeal you could

had been through an ordeal you could tell physically that he was not himself

tell physically that he was not himself

tell physically that he was not himself and I kind of dusted him off and I said

and I kind of dusted him off and I said

and I kind of dusted him off and I said hey fish it’s great to see you back we

hey fish it’s great to see you back we

hey fish it’s great to see you back we got a game tonight do you want to play

got a game tonight do you want to play

got a game tonight do you want to play and he said yes Quietus I want to play I

and he said yes Quietus I want to play I

and he said yes Quietus I want to play I said well we got to get you a physical

said well we got to get you a physical

said well we got to get you a physical so I drove him over to the near the

so I drove him over to the near the

so I drove him over to the near the nearest doctor that I knew and it was

nearest doctor that I knew and it was

nearest doctor that I knew and it was already after hours and I remember

already after hours and I remember

already after hours and I remember pounding on the door until the doctor

pounding on the door until the doctor

pounding on the door until the doctor came out and I said dr. we need this kid

came out and I said dr. we need this kid

came out and I said dr. we need this kid to get a physical right now because he

to get a physical right now because he

to get a physical right now because he wants to play tonight and he took one

wants to play tonight and he took one

wants to play tonight and he took one look at fish looked him up and down and

look at fish looked him up and down and

look at fish looked him up and down and said ok coach I’ll sign those forms and

said ok coach I’ll sign those forms and

said ok coach I’ll sign those forms and so he passed his physical and after that

so he passed his physical and after that

so he passed his physical and after that I took him over to Jordan Matthews high

I took him over to Jordan Matthews high

I took him over to Jordan Matthews high school and we arrived there and he’s

school and we arrived there and he’s

school and we arrived there and he’s changing in my car and he looks out

changing in my car and he looks out

changing in my car and he looks out across the school in the field and the

across the school in the field and the

across the school in the field and the field looks beautiful the field is green

field looks beautiful the field is green

field looks beautiful the field is green and immaculate and the big lights are on

and immaculate and the big lights are on

and immaculate and the big lights are on and he says to me cuadros this is

and he says to me cuadros this is

and he says to me cuadros this is beautiful and I said you’re right it is

beautiful and I said you’re right it is

beautiful and I said you’re right it is the next season fish led us to a state

the next season fish led us to a state

the next season fish led us to a state championship the first all Latino team

championship the first all Latino team

championship the first all Latino team to win a state championship in North

to win a state championship in North

to win a state championship in North Carolina perhaps in the south and the

Carolina perhaps in the south and the

Carolina perhaps in the south and the story of the Jets is really the story of

story of the Jets is really the story of

story of the Jets is really the story of America in so many different ways the

America in so many different ways the

America in so many different ways the desire to achieve the desire to make

desire to achieve the desire to make

desire to achieve the desire to make your new country your home all those

your new country your home all those

your new country your home all those themes are wrapped up in these boys and

themes are wrapped up in these boys and

themes are wrapped up in these boys and their desire to be champions in Siler

their desire to be champions in Siler

their desire to be champions in Siler City they had been seen as strangers has

City they had been seen as strangers has

City they had been seen as strangers has trouble makers as kids who maybe get

trouble makers as kids who maybe get

trouble makers as kids who maybe get into trouble but winning the state

into trouble but winning the state

into trouble but winning the state championship redefined who they were

championship redefined who they were

championship redefined who they were they went from being strangers to being

they went from being strangers to being

they went from being strangers to being rooted for even by the longtime

rooted for even by the longtime

rooted for even by the longtime residents who attended that David do

residents who attended that David do

residents who attended that David do growling they had changed people’s minds

growling they had changed people’s minds

growling they had changed people’s minds about who they were on the field is

about who they were on the field is

about who they were on the field is about immigration but it’s really about

about immigration but it’s really about

about immigration but it’s really about changing demographics and this is

changing demographics and this is

changing demographics and this is something i’ve been ruminating on lately

something i’ve been ruminating on lately

something i’ve been ruminating on lately the issue of immigration which today we

the issue of immigration which today we

the issue of immigration which today we now know is a huge issue perhaps one of

now know is a huge issue perhaps one of

now know is a huge issue perhaps one of the biggest stories facing our country

the biggest stories facing our country

the biggest stories facing our country today is really about how our country is

today is really about how our country is

today is really about how our country is changing how our homes are changing our

changing how our homes are changing our

changing how our homes are changing our home is changing and the new people that

home is changing and the new people that

home is changing and the new people that are in it and the idea whether or not we

are in it and the idea whether or not we

are in it and the idea whether or not we can accept new comers and new people and

can accept new comers and new people and

can accept new comers and new people and I think a lot of the issues that we face

I think a lot of the issues that we face

I think a lot of the issues that we face today are directly related to this idea

today are directly related to this idea

today are directly related to this idea of change and how that change is

of change and how that change is

of change and how that change is impacting us one of the big lessons I’ve

impacting us one of the big lessons I’ve

impacting us one of the big lessons I’ve learned from coaching the Jets for 16

learned from coaching the Jets for 16

learned from coaching the Jets for 16 years now because I’m still coaching

years now because I’m still coaching

years now because I’m still coaching them is the idea that we have to learn

them is the idea that we have to learn

them is the idea that we have to learn to share resources this is a big

to share resources this is a big

to share resources this is a big sticking point with the football guys

sticking point with the football guys

sticking point with the football guys they didn’t want to share that field and

they didn’t want to share that field and

they didn’t want to share that field and when you’ve been in the majority when

when you’ve been in the majority when

when you’ve been in the majority when you’ve owned everything

you’ve owned everything

you’ve owned everything you know the whole culture revolves

you know the whole culture revolves

you know the whole culture revolves around you sharing really means giving

around you sharing really means giving

around you sharing really means giving something up and so they were reluctant

something up and so they were reluctant

something up and so they were reluctant to do that but when they did great

to do that but when they did great

to do that but when they did great things happened we were able to be

things happened we were able to be

things happened we were able to be successful on that field we were able to

successful on that field we were able to

successful on that field we were able to win a state championship from playing on

win a state championship from playing on

win a state championship from playing on that field and we were able to change

that field and we were able to change

that field and we were able to change and integrate into the society itself a

and integrate into the society itself a

and integrate into the society itself a home can be anything for these boys and

home can be anything for these boys and

home can be anything for these boys and for many of the boys that I’ve coached

for many of the boys that I’ve coached

for many of the boys that I’ve coached it’s that feel it’s that ball it’s that

it’s that feel it’s that ball it’s that

it’s that feel it’s that ball it’s that little piece of home that they brought

little piece of home that they brought

little piece of home that they brought with them here that they’ve allowed to

with them here that they’ve allowed to

with them here that they’ve allowed to be able to integrate in our society in

be able to integrate in our society in

be able to integrate in our society in their own way I want to thank you for

their own way I want to thank you for

their own way I want to thank you for letting me speak to you today and

letting me speak to you today and

letting me speak to you today and sharing my story thank you very much

sharing my story thank you very much

sharing my story thank you very much [Applause]