At the Cross Cultural Workshop, August 14, 2023, Waihon Liew mentioned some books to read about. An attendee named Jason said he is a mailman and there are some Kareni or Hmong on the block he delivers to. When he has to interact with them their kids run inside the house to hide and close the shades. Jason asked how he could let them know he is friendly and the mail carrier is not the police.

Waihon, the instructor, told some key ways to bridge the gap, as the Kareni were a persecuted people in Myanmar (formerly Burma). They learned to be leery of anyone in a uniform.

Waihon gave him a book called, “The Fred Factor,” by Mark Sanborn. The book was inspired by a mailman named Fred Shay.

Do You Know a “Fred” Who Needs to be Recognized?

While eating lunch at the Roseville MN Chick-fil-A, I spotted a “Fred,” named Conrad. He is a Senior Citizen Black Man who is a store Ambassador who makes sure people feel welcome and kids have fun especially when he MOOs out loud so everyone inside hears him. He also takes trays when customers are done and gives out mints and hand cleaning wipes. Conrad goes above and beyond the job to earn the title of a “Fred.”

If you would like to recognize a “Fred” you can let us know at our Twitter/X Account @HD66BGOP and use the hashtag #FredFactor, then explain why he or she is a “Fred.”