November 3, 2009
TAOS, N.M. – Larry Whitten marched into this northern New Mexico town in late July on a mission: resurrect a failing hotel.
The tough-talking former Marine immediately laid down some new rules. Among them, he forbade the Hispanic workers at the run-down, Southwestern adobe-style hotel from speaking Spanish in his presence (he thought they’d be talking about him), and ordered some to Anglicize their names.
No more Martin (Mahr-TEEN). It was plain-old Martin. No more Marcos. Now it would be Mark.
Whitten’s management style had worked for him as he’s turned around other distressed hotels he bought in recent years across the country
To read more, visit
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_trouble_in_taos
Stories like this are unbelievable to me. I feel like there is some kind of law in our country that prevents employers from treating employees like this. It’s hard to imagine someone treating others with such disdain. This is bigger than disrespecting someone’s native language, culture, or heritage; it is dehumanizing someone – stripping them of their identity and value as a person. This is, of course, shaped by the lens of my world view – which upholds human life as intrinsically valuable because it is formed in the image of God, who gives it value. However, many people would not agree that there is a God who created human life and assigns its value. In fact, many do not agree that humans even have intrinsic value. And then there are some who believe humans have intrinsic value but do not believe in God. I am curious as to how this view presents human value as intrinsic instead of earned.
Sorry about that tangent – now back to the point. All of this to say that I am saddened by this story because of the way this man devalues human life which I believe is a gift of God. However, although I am saddened, I cannot be surprised. I find it likely from his actions that this man does not view human life as intrinsically valuable. I think many others share this view whether they realize it or not. If we are going appalled at this type of treatment, I am curious as to why. I think we must contemplate why this story makes us upset. Why does man deserve certain rights? Why does he deserve treatment that is different than say a bird or a dog? What gives man honor, identity and value? I think it’s a question worth asking and worth thinking about.
As I mentioned earlier, I personally believe that this behavior is appalling because all humans are given value, identity and honor as they are made in the image of God. I believe that God calls us to live together in loving unity and that the behavior exhibited in this article is in direct violation to God’s commands.
