Black Teens: No Spanish...No Job?

That’s the message Black teens across America are being told as they apply for summer work and menial labour jobs such as retail sales, convenience store clerks and food service. Yeah folks… really. A little confused? Don’t bother going back and rereading the statement, I’m going to state it again in simple terms. American kids can’t get jobs in certain parts of America, because they do not speak spanish. Wowwwwwwww.

Check the story of these young ladies in San Bernadino, who have run into a bit of a problem finding summer jobs. This is the story of Jazanique Jackson, Ashanae Brown and Kimyen Hawkins.

Don’t speak Spanish…can’t get the job?’

When San Bernardino High School teens Jazanique Jackson, Ashanae Brown and Kimyen Hawkins decided they wanted to work this summer, they left nothing to chance.

They knew the rules: plan ahead; role play; be positive; adapt; relate and encourage.

So when they hit the streets to start their summer job search they were prepared for virtually every eventuality except one.

¿No habla ingles? Can’t speak Spanish.

“We were shocked. We applied at places like McDonalds, Burger King and Jack in the Box. We went to shoe stores, pizza parlors and convenience stores. The workers were overwhelmingly Spanish speaking. Pretty much they always ask us, ‘Do you speak Spanish?’ They said we prefer bilingual,” says Jazanique. And, as an American who only speaks English, her answer leaves her without the job.

“It’s hard when you can’t even get an interview because you don’t speak Spanish,” said Jazanique.[source]