Statement of Vivian Moreno to the PROJO Article of JULY 17th

I believe that the Providence Journal did a pretty fair and impartial job at reporting this unfortunate situation that smacks of more than discrimination or prejudice in Westerly, Rhode Island.

However no written story, no matter how well done can reflect how deeply I was hurt, humiliated and embarressed in front of my own family by these people. I took the little money I had to try and get a better place to go for my children than an asphalt playground or a crowded park in the Urban area.

I bought that time share in good faith that I could use the beach, and spend time away, away from the dangers of the city. The salesman promised. They called me in Providence.

I had seven adults with me, all family, and the rest were young children. Children I wanted to see wide open beach, a place where people are friendly and safe to talk to.

But instead of the respect, kindness, courtesy and safety I expected, I was boldly and shamelessly humiliated in front of my own children, my family, and my nieces and nephews. This has NEVER happened to me before, and I felt like an alien or foreign national creeping across some US border.

How can people in a town that proudly touts itself as "Neighborly" right on their official web site, and is lobbying a UN Ambassador for an "International Neighbor Day" be so very cruel?

I am a Rhode Islander, and a US Citizen. I went to college here. I own my home and work hard every day to raise children, pay taxes and keep up a house. I started my own business, "The Interpreters Network Inc." of which I am the CEO where I provide translation and interpretation services for many, including the courts. I also assist people in filing their taxes on time as a community service. I am active in many areas of the community and stress honesty, integrity, respect and kindness in everything I do.

I had never felt the pain and sting of discrimination before. I had been exposed to people like my State Representative Tom Slater and others from right here in Providence who are always kind, understanding and have done so much for people from all walks of life to help us fit in and contribute to this great state.

Until now, I never really appreciated people like Mercedes Mendez, who started her travel agency 32 years ago, and started the RI Miss Latina Pageant as a way to show our people in a good light and create a bridge between cultures and create understanding.

I am hoping not only for an apology to me and my family with an invitation to return to Westerly one day without fear, but that the Town of Westerly, in a spirit of goodwill and demonstration of mutual respect will accept my extended hand of friendship, and send town officials as ambassadors of goodwill to the RI Miss Latina Pageant to be held August 26th in Providence.

This is a real hispanic event that has been put on for over 22 years, and was started by Mercedes Mendez as a bridge to help create understanding and tolerance between neighbors of different cultures and beliefs. This belief in tolerance and understanding is not so much unlike our founding father of Providence, Roger Williams.

You know, less than 50 years ago, South County did not readily accept Italians either which I leared from the recent movie documentary "Italian Americans and Federal Hill."  Different customs, different dress, different food, but Italians worked hard, learned the language, and melded into the fabric of Rhode Island.  They wanted respect, understanding and courtesy. Do Americans of Hispanic ancestry deserve any less?  

I hope to hear from you soon to accept this invitation to attend, and prove to everyone that this situation was only due to a few isolated people, and that your town truly deserves its reputation as being neighborly.

Thank you, and God Bless you all.

- Vivian Moreno, CEO
The Interpreters Network Inc.
401-639-5380

July 17, 2007