Is this a racist email?

Question

Hi
I received the following email from a stranger today Do you agree or disagree with it?
It starts off with a picture of three mariachi singers then goes into say the following:

“I'm sorry, but after hearing they want to sing OURNational Anthem in Spanish ... enough is Too much! NEVER did they sing it in Italian, Japanese, Polish, Irish-Celtic, German,Portuguese, Greek, French, or any other language because of immigra- tion. It was written by Francis Scott Key and should be sung word for word the way it was written. The news broadcasts gave a translation that's NOT even close. Sorry if this offends anyone ... but this is my country. Let me make this perfectly clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY! And,because I make this statement DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration!!! YOU ARE WELCOME HERE IN MY COUNTRY. Welcome to come through like everyone else has. Get a sponsor!Get a place to lay your head! Get a job! Live by OUR rules! Pay YOUR taxes! And LEARN THE LANGUAGE LIKE ALL OTHER!"

Has anyone stopped to realize that people taking the time to translate a song into another language is actually honoring us?

How many American celebrites have we witnessed botch up the National Anthem?

If there are any sports fans - you will see the National Anthem being sung in foreign countries as respect not only for the American opponent, but to honor his/her country.

This country belongs to all of us who inhabit it. It belongs to everyone who believes in freedom and choses to live here and live by the American justice system. Poor grammar,poor English,disabled,black white, green brown ,yellow - it should not matter as long as they follow the rules and do their part to help keep this country a great place. Also remember that the English language we use is 60% latin in origin. A commonality. Spanish is also Latin based - so who is right and who is wrong?

Also realize that the "illlegal" aliens we are regarding to as "Non Tax Payers"
Work for less than minimum wage - doing jobs which most Americans are too lazy to do.They will nver have the benfit of SSDI or SSI These folks do work that would make any Naturalized American cringe.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if every ill legal alien was removed from America for one week-

I suspect we would be starving, our homes and lanscapes would be a mess,no food, and children without nannies. The clothig factories would close along with a lto of other major operations.
what do you think?

Answer 1

The national anthem is a British drinking song called "The Anacreontic Song". The lyrics are the American poem called "Defense of Fort McHenry" about the bombing of the fort during the War of 1812. Personally, I don't like Mariachi music, I'd rather hear it in salsa or hip hop but to each his own. They have a right to express themselves. The person who wrote this email would probably not have written it to me because I'm hispanic and my white friends never talk to me like that. I think this person is displaying a little too much prejudice but only a subtle rascism that they probably aren't aware of themselves. Here's the part that I have a problem with. Why be so angry when your yelling at someone to get a home, get a job, follow our laws, pay taxes and learn english. I do all of that. Are you saying that someone doesn't do these things just because they are so in touch with their culture. Lighten up man. It's America. Love it or give it back.

Answer 2

I wouldn't say it's "racist," however I don't like the overall tone of this message...it strikes me as rather insulting and mean-spirited. If the tables were turned and I were emigrating to this country, messages like this would keep me speaking my native language just for spite. If it isn't racist, it's definitely elitist, and that's the sort of attitude the USA has always been against.

I think the use of the picture of the mariachi singers is definitely uncalled for. True, the information contained in the message is the opinion of the person that wrote it, though not very tactful in nature. This is also an old issue and I find it surprising that people are still sending along chain e-mails about it.

As for my personal view, I loosely agree with the basic concept of this message in that I feel the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of an English speaking country and it should stay that way. Obviously, though, I can't stop people from translating it into Spanish or any other language and singing it that way. That goes against basic freedom of speech, which is a huge no-no in my book. To keep people from singing it in whatever language they choose undermines our culture more than changing the language.

Answer 3

I can't say weither or not its racist. Though it is annoying "Let me make this perfectly clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY!" No it is not, its OUR country (Psh not even). Your name is not on it nor did you buy it. I really don't see what the big problem is singing the national athem in Spanish. Did the person who sent you this think about other countries where they have things in english, when it is not the national language? Its just so...ignorant to me. I mean come on whats the big deal. So what they want to sing it in spanish. Like if it was at a baseball game or something I guess I could understand, unless the game was going to be televised or whatever in spanish. As for the part about other languages we don't do so because those languages aren't as widely spoken. And if we did do that they probably would just start complaining about that too. Isn't America about accepting diversity? Freedom for all right? Well then shut up and let them sing the damn song anyway they want.

Answer 4

What is racist about wanting your national anthem sung in the proper language? You go to another country and try that stuff over there and see how long it takes to get an ambulance to you...we have let these people trample our rights for way to long.

Answer 5

Not racist at all. The writer clearly stated that they feel offended when others come to their nation illegally and want the culture to change to suit their needs, instead of going through the proper channels to be a citizen like everyone else. No problem there, it is the truth.

Answer 6

No it's not racist.

It's to the point. AMERICA'S NATION ANTHEM should not be sung in SPANISH...

American's are sick of dealing with this problem everything states was truly how a lot of us feel. There is nothing racist about it.


I wouldn't dare go to Germany and Expect them to speak English for me.

Answer 7

I wouldn't say "racist" but you are making remarks on the parts you capitalized "THIS IS MY COUNTRY" "YOU ARE WELCOME HERE IN MY COUNTRY" ....sorry but unless you are a native American Indian, this is not YOUR country. At some point IN history somebody in your family emigrated to this country.

Answer 8

I don't view it as racist. I view it as being patriotic and being considerate of all the other nationalities who emmigrated here. They all had to learn English, as should the Spanish speaking immigrants.

Re-read it with an open mind this time. You may agree.

Answer 9

Last time I check they were avoiding taxes. Sorry no green card no work, no citizenship papers no benefits as an American.

Answer 10

It is certainly Nativist, and traditionally Nativism is a close step to some form of racism.