Is racism against Hispanics growing in East Tennessee?
by Yvette Martinez The census estimates half of Tennessee’s population growth this decade will be Hispanic. Some Hispanics believe racial tension is also growing. Five years ago, American citizen Tom Mares moved his wife and three kids to East Tennessee. “My kids had been in Texas their whole lives. I was ready to go out and do something different and experience a little more, give my kids a little more rounded idea of what’s out there.” Tom’s son, Tomas says moving to Tennessee was definitely an eye-opening experience. “I thought it was a little different because in Texas, it was mostly Hispanic, but once we came to Tennessee, it was different cultures.” But once, when the family went out to eat, they felt different wasn’t welcome. Tom says there were four waitresses and three tables with people to serve. However, he and his family waited 30 minutes without ever being approached. It made a lasting impression on Tomas, who was only 10 years old at the time. “We sat there for a while. W
