If someone had told me in Germany that the mayor of San Antonio is going
to say this to our FISTU group, I would have simply laughed. But it is the
truth. He invited us to the City Council of San Antonio and we felt very honored and
glad about that.
(Me infront of the City Hall)
After the security-check the mayor, Ron Nirenberg, and some of his
colleagues came and talked to us. I really must say that every one of them was
super friendly to us. For German politicians, it is very unusual taking time
for speaking with people who were even not their citizens. They do not give us
the feeling that we are less worth or they something better.
The city council’s meeting was about the budget for 2018. Many of the 10
council members have a Hispanic or Afro-American background what surprises me
in a positive way. Texas is a conservative state so I am very glad to be in a
city which is more liberal.
(FISTU-Group with the Mayor of San Antonio)
One of the council members prepared a short film that showed him talking
to citizens about the public transportation system in Texas. We Germans were
very confused that the only public transportation possibilities you have are
just a few busses. We realized that when you want to life in America you
desperately need a car. Even going to the nearest supermarket by foot took us
too much time! In the film the people are explaining why it is important for
them to have more busses in the city which drive in a regular time. It was very
catching so see how the council member interactives with the citizens and I
really wish that the German politicians also put more effort in talking to the
people.
One citizen, Mr. Finger, really caught our attention. He is a very
conservative man who constantly talked bad and disrespectful about immigrants.
He wants the council to spend less money for helping poor people and
immigrants. What I really liked was that they do not really care about what he
is saying and still vote with “yes”.
This excursion was very interesting and gave us a view of Texan-Politic.
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