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A community is defined as much by its small stories of life as its big news events. This is a place where we hope to tell some of them. Some will be anecdotes, others observations. Some will have insight, others no obvious point. Sort of like every day life. We expect this to resemble more of a personal blog than others on this site. Think of it as the Triad's version of the New Yorker's Talk of the Town or the New York Times' Metropolitan Diary.
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After making my decision, back in 1985. That
North Carolina, is where I wanted to continue
graduate studies. I figured, well, since I'm going to be here for awhile, I may as well get settled in.
By settling in for me, is to secure a physician, retain legal counsel, and prepare for my earthly
remains to be handled with dignity. This, I have
always done whenever I stationed myself in a new
community. Seems odd, but when you're alone, and haven't met people yet. You prepare yourself
for life.
Anyway, amongst my list of things to do. It was
nearing the 1986 Congressional Elections. So,
like any patriot, I decided to register to vote.
I contacted the Guilford County Board of Elections, to inquire about registering and what
requirements I would need to register. No problem! I can handle all of that.
When I get to the BOE Office, I approach the
counter, and an employee greets me, and ask me
how she could be of assistance. I tell what my
intentions are, and she respectfully acknowledge
my request.
Now, bear in mind. I was advised to present
legal identification of my being. In my possession,
I had a letter with my present address on it, my
driver's license, my military identification; in fact,
I carried a copy of my birth certificate. I figured,
I was well loaded with identity accessories.
When the employee reviewed my documents,
she looked queried, and asked where my "green
card" was. I thought to myself, green card. What
green card is she asking for. Now, I just got my
Greensboro Library card, and it was green. So, I
presented that her. She shooked her head, and
said that was not it. I said, a green card? So, I
reached into my wallet, and pulled out my First
Union Bank Card, it was green! She shook her
head again, and said that wasn' it.
I got frustrated, and asked her what is it that she
was looking for? Then, she asked if I had my passport on me. I said, well, I haven't left the country, and I don't usually carry that around with
me, because I'm not in a foreign country.
Well, lo and behold. Another clerk, sitting behind a divider, evidently was listening in, and shouted out, "He's a citizen! He's a citizen!"
I was quite taken aback hearing this, and thought to myself, (duh!), that she wanted a Green
Card! Like in, INS Green Card.
Then the employee reviewed what I had presented to her, minus the "Green Card," with the other employee. And then she remarked, "I
didn't know Hawaii was a state?"
Well, that was my official welcome to Guilford
County, City of Greensboro, North Carolina. It makes me proud, to know that I am recognized as a citizen of this country.
Posted on November 26, 2007 10:41 AM