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February
15 , 2005
English only in public, please
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Brittney Bigler
Features Editor |
All those who live in Arizona, or any other border state
near Mexico, have dealt with the difficulties of trying helplessly to
bridge the gap between Spanish and English.
Every year the percentage of Mexican immigrants, legal or illegal, rises
higher. We now are looking at the Spanish-speaking outnumbering the English-speaking
community within a few years.
Now, I have nothing against the Mexican community wanting to keep their
native tongue alive. In fact I encourage it. BUT the belligerent refusal
to learn the language of the land - ENGLISH - is nothing more than that,
pure belligerence!
Their deliberate insistence to be ignorant of the common language of the
country they have MOVED to is just simply unacceptable.
This kind of attitude forces the rest of us to deal with them in a manner
that is both inefficient and degrading to both parties.
It is an utterly pathetic sight when a grown adult must have their young
child accompany them to a business, restaurant or any other establishment.
The child then translates for them, so that they may conduct their business
or dealings with the English-speaking community.
Some don't even give us that courtesy and force us to muddle through a
sad attempt at translation, frustrating both sides.
And it does not end there; young children are attending English-speaking
schools with little fluency in the common language of their peers and
the textbooks they study.
Why have we allowed such a divergence to occur in our state and our communities?
Both state and community have conformed like a kitty cat running scared.
Something must be done to unify our states and our communities, or the
foundation of what the United States is based on - diversity, equality
and progress-- will be severely interrupted.
Finally, our own Arizona State legislature has risen to this challenge.
In the State House, several Representatives and Sen. Johnson have proposed
an amendment to the Arizona Constitution.
This amendment would make English the official language of Arizona, which
would greatly encourage opportunities for individuals to learn English.
The amendment would also require all official functions of government
be spoken or written in English. The exceptions would include the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act, and any actions, documents or policies
needed for international trade, tourism, commerce or anything relating
to public health and safety.
I am completely in favor of this act and will go so far as to say that
it is vital that something of this magnitude be done if we are to keep
our reputation as the most diverse, yet successful country in the world.
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