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Viva La Difference / Unjustified Assumptions

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Real Estate Investment Institute 1retiredsage

I wrote a blog about illegals and loan fraud and got a comment from a well intentioned writer that I just can't forget. I don't think the writer did anything but express the frustration we all feel, when we group people by heredity instead of their personal choices.

The comment: "It is amazing that many of todays top LO's are hispanic - I wonder how many of them belong in jail."

What's so "amazing?" Do you know how many Americans are Hispanic? Most LO's are licensed and often insured or bonded, I'm sure very few are illegals. I'll bet between us we can't find one that isn't fluent in English, but in fact I know one or two that don't speak Spanish, at least not well.

My family is almost entirely French, but even Jacques who arrived here in 1608 wrote about himself in both French and English as being an American. For the record I don't speak French, but my maternal Grandfather did, until he married my Grandmother.

I do symthise with your frustration. That's the problem with hyphenating identities. I'm an American not a French-American! We Americans come in all shades of mankind, we come in two standard genders and several we invented. For those of us in the people business and real estate in all forms is the people business, it makes life fascinating!

As to "how many of them {Hispanic LO's} belong in jail" I suspect it's a lower percentage than the rest of us! I've got no facts, but two reasons for this assumption! 1. Hispanic LO's have to be careful because of bigoted assumptions. 2. LO's that speak Spanish are probably better at spotting these illegal invaders than the rest of us.

America has proven that it's nurture not nature that determine a person's success in life. Every race in the world has succeed in America. The amazing thing is how many people who are born here or come here chose not to participate! But, it's there choice. Viva La Difference!

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

Posted by

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

wja@reii.org      Cell 832-259-7078,      Houston 832-582-8415,       Las vegas 702-516-1569

     http://www.reii.org  Back Cover One House At A Time http:www//reii.orghttp://www.flippingforfunandprofit.info/ http://www.billarchambault.com   

From my past: GRI 1975, FLI 1974, Catalyst from a client 1974 an agent that makes things happen, REII, The Real Estate Investment Institute 1995.

http://www.reii.org

©William J Archambault Jr   ©The Real Estate Investment Institute   ©REII

Comments(18)

Bill Nazur
First Lending Solutions - Riverside, CA

I wish it were true that so many top performing LO's are Hispanic.....regrettably not true at all.....

I'm Hispanic, and I am one of the top performing ones, but let me say, that does not matter to me. I agree with Bill. My heritage is Hispanic because of where my family was born. I however, legally hatched right here in good ole Cleveland Ohio, and am an American.

Its all about inclusion; I firmly believe that rules are rules, and the law is the law, hence I believe in doing the right thing always, and encouraging others to succeed regardless of their heritage, as long as you don't want me to be complicit in breaking the law for your 'greater good'.

Oct 01, 2007 07:40 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Bill N,

Thanks for helping make my point. You may have to carry the ball for a few days I fly back to Michigan on family business at O'my God early, Wednesday and I don't know if I'll be on line.

Getting ready to leave I shipped you a copy of my book "One House At A Time / Finding and Buying Single Family Rentals" as you mentioned on Politically Correct Entitlement

I thought that I didn't sleep, but it's 1 AM here so you're up at 4 I hope you're getting up it's way to late for going to bed.

Bill

Oct 01, 2007 08:09 PM
Rosario Lewis
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
GRI, SRES - DDR Realty - Orange County, NY

I read a lot of comments that could use clarification. The one you site ranks right up there. Did the writer imply Hispanics frequently belong in jail, or LO's frequently belong in jail, or Hispanics are better in some way and unlikely to belong in jail?

That said, I fulling concur with your point about ethnicity and stereotyping.

 

Oct 01, 2007 10:59 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Rosario,

I don't think the guy meant anything. I think he over reacted, including Americans of Hispanic decent with Hispanic aliens. In that regards he did the same thing that the major media and one of our political parties do, possibly both.

I don't debate people I don't respect, I delete them! That doesn't change what he said, but if good people can't talk there is no hope.

Now that you've found me I hope you'll be back ofen.

Bill

Oct 02, 2007 05:43 AM
Brian Brady
Matthews Capital Markets - Tampa, FL
858-699-4590

I was born in Philadelphia; Californians stereotype me, too.

Does that make me a PhilAmerican or a Philafornian?  (Seriously, cogent comments, Bill)

I'm sorry for your loss. (I haven't kept up with you)

Oct 02, 2007 03:13 PM
David A. Podgursky PA
THE PODGURSKY GROUP @ Re/Max Direct - Boynton Beach, FL
THE PODGURSKY GROUP - Make the Right Move!

was it another licensed professional violating their code of ethics/Equal blah blah??

people can get frustrated all the time and generalize about what they see... a fellow rainer who is quickly becoming a friend was at a lunch w/me and someone made a comment... his hands quickly went up and he informed them that neither of us could comment about their assertions...

it has no place in our profession

I know that there are many minority LOs that know their stuff here on AR as there are non-minority LOs that don't!

 

Oct 02, 2007 03:14 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
Wow...what category do I get put in?  I am half Japanese, half Swedish, born in Rhode Island and raised in Japan, Philippines and the majority in Hawaii. Hmmm..that would be a mind bender to categorize ME. haha.  Life life simple.
Oct 02, 2007 04:22 PM
Kirk Mulhearn
Prudential California Realty/Gem Mortgage - Long Beach, CA

Believe me, Im a broker in Southern California where loan fraud is rampant.  I have seen unbelievable amounts of fraud here in the last 15 years....but most people dont know that there are approximately 200 FBI agents just in California busting these crooks, and to tell you the truth, they probably need 2000!!!

Kirk Mulhearn, Long Beach, Ca.

Oct 02, 2007 04:39 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
I am a Heinz 57 -- so I would have a lot of hyphens! 
Oct 02, 2007 04:43 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Thanks Brian,

For everything. Hearing from you always helps.

I don't comment on anything "fornian" unless it come off a tree or vine.

Bill


David,

I'm not sure it's reverent. I do hold professionals to a higher standard, but I didn't like this. I'd have deleted it if it had been sinister, but it was a good man who probably didn't realize what he wrote. I debate good people even when they are wrong.

Bill


Sally,

It's easy! You're an American! If you insist on a hyphen you're a Pistachio-American. Viraity is the spice of American life!

Bill


Kirk,

I to have no sympathy for crooks and fraud.

Bill


Joan,

Another American!

I love Heinz on my steaks and amongst my friends. I don't classify my friends so stick to American.

Bill


I'm going to be gone until the 12th. I don't know if I'll be able to get on line, but please keep commenting. I respond as soon as I can.

Bill

Oct 02, 2007 05:27 PM
Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR
RE/MAX Shoreline - Portsmouth, NH
Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts

minority, sminority.

I don't have any problem with hispanics, blacks, whites, greens, reds, or purples...............I do have a huge issue with illegals.

The real Native Americans, the Indians, started letting people in without proper documentation and look what happened to them. ;-)

Oct 02, 2007 06:04 PM
Darrel Quebedeaux
Evergreen Realty & Associates Inc. - Newport Coast, CA

Sometime we write things that appear on paper differently than words sounded in our mind and with out reading it a second or third time we may send it out as final only to discover a few days later our error and  ask how could I have said that. 

 I believe in giving the writer the benefit of the doubt.  What we envision in our mind does not always translate eloquently.  I know because it has happened to me.  I too read the original post and its comments and I don't believe it came out as he intended.

Oct 02, 2007 06:22 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
They call me hapa-haole here....half caucasian and half something else...  Pistachio sounds good though. Thanks Bill...that was cute.
Oct 02, 2007 07:10 PM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Bill - I would tend to stray away from such 'Possibly Politically Incorrect' subject matter such as this but that would violate my personal code of ethics and just grind me in general:-)  You see, I've never cared what race or language one is or speaks, I always cared more for WHO THEY ARE.   Crooks come in all colors, as do heroes.  As far as illegals, we could do a hell of a better job!  They should be treated the same way as we are, earn your keep and no tax breaks or benefits other than giving them them the benefit of the doubt.  America is made up of variety and I love that, that's who we are and what we are as human beings.  Yet, let's throw Political Correctness out the window and call a spade a spade, I tire of who I might offend with my opinion.  Viva La Difference!....indeed!!

Oct 02, 2007 10:14 PM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate
Bill, another reminder of the ugly side of our business and of life.  Unfortunately, some people will never understand what they are missing by living in a time capsule hidden away from the reality that is our wonderful melting pot society.  Thanks for sharing this with us.
Oct 03, 2007 01:19 AM
Adrian Alvarado
MGR Real Estate Inc. - Ontario, CA
Inland Empire Real Estate
Great post people should not jump to conclusions on these types of things.
Oct 03, 2007 10:15 AM
Tom Burris
NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA
Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

I would be rich if I spoke spanish. I get along with them GREAT!!

But it is hard to market that segment when often one of the spouses prefer their native language on important matters.

 

Oct 03, 2007 12:00 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

I read a meme late last night. You should read it too!

My MeMe. I could not avoid it, but you can. Just skip it.

 

Talk about participation! This family should inspire all of us.

Bill

Jan 28, 2008 01:07 AM