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People need to learn to keep their feelings to themselves when white folks say ignorant ****.

why can’t I stop laughing.

I was there last night and I felt that Hopkins meant to convey that Mexico’s lost teen gang members are not just Mexico’s problem; that it not only is a mission worth accomplishing, it is one with implicating relevance to the USA and gang activity and drug cartel enlistment increases in Mexico, spilling across the border. But he said whatever he said in such a way that it appalled no few at my table.

I felt terrible for Hopkins because it is inconcievable to me that he meant to offend anyone, nor was he it seemed a cluessless bystander in issues regarding. Otherwise, how could he have been asked to MC that portion of the event? I have worked with teen gang members from Mexico through Youth Confrict Resolution Center. I thought it was said that Hopkins teaches.

I do not know Bob…only met twice… but I felt awful that he walked into a lion’s den of backlash as a result of a less than thoughtful half-made point that was ill-concieved.

PS: It was a wonderful meal and the Mexico Outward Bound people so compelling I have decided to aid them hands on in their work in Mexico in any way I can. I would reccommend the men I met last night as the finest souls I have seen in years. Dedicated and inspiring.

‘Conflict’. Thanks for the heads up, bc. Between Tuesday’s Obama night champagne marathon and last night’s mojito drink-off, an ‘r’ and an ‘l’ look alike in the dark. It is still dark, isn’t it?

Thanks for the comments about my comments last night. Those who know me, know that I mean’t to offend no one. I may have better thought about my words.

However, I believe that we need more dialogue and committment from both sides of the border on this issue. I believe that every child needs a mentor; regardless of race. I support the efforts of mentoring and involvement in crisis lives in Mexico as well as those here in Dallas. It just so happens we work in the public schools, and you know the statistics, mostly hispanic. I do live in East Dallas where many of the hispanic population dwell and know that much of what we see here, does come across the border and has a negative affect on our lives; personally and professionally. Instead of ignoring the problem, I encourage anyone who wants to work with our youth here to contact me at Bob@philanthropy-inc.org Thanks for your many “very important comments” about “mine” last night. I also support whole-heartedly the efforts of Outward Bound in Mexico. Thanks for the many supporters who bought auction items and made cash donations.

I must admit that the way that Mr. Hopkins discussed Hispanic youths breaking into houses truly put a damper on our plans to bid.

Perhaps Mr. Hopkins’ post today would have done much more good than his comments last night.

By the way, Rawlins, nicely worded comment. Suggestion: you might want to spellcheck “inconceivable.”

I admire Bob Hopkins’ continued work in the Dallas community and was very flattered to be covered in his magazine, as have many other people of Hispanic genetics. I think that was in part why I was so shocked by his words.

As I expressed in person to Bob that night, I was very hurt by his words when he said “Hispanics are the ones breaking into our homes and cars”, as the choice of the words: “the ones” made it sound like they are the only race doing these kinds of actions. To me, this is like saying “Gays are the ones molesting children.”

After speaking with Bob about this incident, he emphasized that he did not mean to offend but that he strongly felt that the data supported his words. Having spent part of my day at the Interfaith Housing Coalition, and hearing statistics from them, I can’t say I agree. The crime occurring in our city is committed by all races, just as the many wonderful philanthropic actions serving our city are accomplished by the hard work of all races. Bob Hopkins’ inspired magazine speaks to this fact, as one only needs to peruse it’s pages to see the diversity our city is blessed with.

While Outward Bound’s work is vitally important, and we definitely need to look at how the gang problems in Mexico have an adverse affect here at home in our great state, we cannot allow ourselves to ever blame a single demographic for being the single cause of any one type of crime. As someone who cares deeply about human rights, we all need to be ever-mindful of our words and how we can accidently misconstrue the things we seek to communicate.

As a proud Texan, philanthropist, and someone of Hispanic genetics who was adopted into an incredible white family, I look forward to working with Bob Hopkins, Rawlins and others in our community towards helping to make it embrace its diversity as a strength that will in turn help us all to make the vital differences needed on both sides of the border and in the rest of the world.

Nice points and sincere thinking: To that end, any time I want to learn more or stay abreast of alternative realities vs. generalized PC considerations; and yes ‘diversity’ (if we are talking ethnic and/or socio-economic rather than ideological or gender specific) I just look out my window and decide which neighbor to visit.

Case in point: On Obama night, better known as last Tuesday, it was two bottles of champagne two doors away…the family…one of many black…with 6 adopted…black…kids, two of whom are special needs…adopted after the gang parent was murdered near Laredo in a drug pipeline from Monterey gone bad. It didn’t take much to see how they saw Obama’s victory. how affected my street’s inhabitants very diverse inhabitants. I am the diversity here.

Of course I could have walked across the street and talked with one of the many Mexican families about their children, one of whom directly across the street…David… went to prison after becoming a gang member. David was lost to us in prison. A knife fight…he was a marked man by other gang members. That is part is how I began an active decade-long working relationship with at-risk teens (generally Mexican or Mexican American but no few black) who have joined gangs. It was local. As in and estimated 50,000 Mexican workers living just south of my home in Southeast Dallas….in Pleasant Grove. Good people with hope who needed help and had lives in the shadows of hope. What’s that old saying, ‘All politics are local’?

Sometimes being closer to the hot water is a good way to stay warm on hot button issues. I am always hearing people’s opinions,,,they tell me about things that in no way are part of their day in and day out lives. The disconnect and inevitable PC tongue clucking that follows saddens me. Not all of us do what we can to enlighten others. Some of us have more time than money (like me). And others like Mary Ann (whose father founded 7-11 stores)…and her husband Joshua and their foundation… take the time to use their money AND time spiritually, productively and joyfully. Others might have opted to be comfortable being well-heeled dilettantes. There are no shortage of those. That is why people like Mary Ann and yes Bob matter. That ironically is when I realized her worth; when she was recognized as an honoree at a Philanthropy Magazine gala in 1996, hosted by Mr. Hopkins. Her speech was stunning. As is she.

Again I invite those interested in understanding our hispanic and African American youth, I invite you to come into class with me at Spence Middle School, Lipscomb or Guzick Elementary where we are teaching our youth about community service and giving back, which instills a sense of self respect that transforms our youth like nothing else. Thanks to Clara Hinojosa, another philanthropist in our community featured in Philanthropy In Texas magazine some years ago and Founder of the Mexico Institute, IS stepping into the class at Spence this morning. I also received a call from Adolfo Ayuso Audry,Consulado General de Mexico en Dallas, who attended that night at La Duni. He is interested in observing and participating with our American youth. Thanks Mary Ann for your comments. YOu are an inspiration to Dallas for your continued philanthropic work.