http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/10/01/lavandera.language.barrier.cnn
Some think that the fact people want English only in the U.S. is a racist front. I don't. I hate going into stores and the salesperson can't speak my English.
I don't care if you're black, white, Hispanic, Asian or whatever else.....if you are going to live inthe United States, you really need to learn English.
What say you?
2007-10-02 02:55:27 · 23 answers · asked by Still Beautifully Conservative 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I say your a wise and strong woman, and a fair one to boot which is a rare commodity here on yahoo, keep on telling it like it is.
2007-10-02 03:21:10 · answer #1 · answered by ~Celtic~Saltire~ 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
How is it racist? This is America. You speak English over here in America. If not you stay inside the house and talk to the same language family members or go back to the country originated from. It used to be that immigrants, legal ones that is, many, many decades ago would feel ashamed and embarrassed if they did not speak English. Because they knew that is the language of the country. Sure they might of spoke the old country language in the privacy of their homes with family. That is fine, no need to completely erase old country origins. But in order to live in a country one moves to, to begin a new life, needs to learn the language so they can participate within its society, workplace, and other sociable events. Can't exactly talk to new countrymen if still living in the old country.
Nothing racist about wanting people who move to this country to speak the country's language.
Racism is just a word being thrown around to get their way. Because a majority of people tend to back off when called racist. Mainly due to the fact that no one really even knows what the real definition of racism means and yet still throws it around.
2007-10-02 10:03:01 · answer #2 · answered by Fallen 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
No. Racism consists of putting up barriers to people because of some intrinsic characteristic, like skin color, or ethnic background. It's unfair to say, for instance, "Whites Only" or "Blacks Only" because no one can change their skin color or ethnic background.
The language one speaks is something that, past a certain young age, is a matter of choice. It is a reasonable, perfectly logical, and utterly basic assumption that when in country A, one will be far more successful by learning that coultry's language. I suppose the very fundamental and sensible nature of this assumption is why some liberals feel the need to attack it!
While learning English is not genetically impossible (as changing skin color would be), it is not the easiest thing on Earth. So I would say that government policies should be designed to HELP people learn, rather than cripple them with "education" programs that do not aid their assimilarion into our language and culture.
I bet taxpayers would be much happier spending money on English instruction than for multilingual ballots, etc.
One could well argue that politicians whose policies keep people in linguistic "ghettoes" are rar more racist - keeping people in an underclass, resentful and dependent on THEM for assistance, rather than actually HELPING these people fit in.
I fear for my country. I'm glad I'm not a younger man.
2007-10-02 10:17:03 · answer #3 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If our minds are aimed at the truth, and we want the truth, we will all accept that making one language official, is only bringing strength to America our country, that we love, or are supposed to anyway. Some folks don't, as I am sure you know. It is these people, who do not love America, that don't want we citizens strong, and connected to each other as a whole. They want division amongst us, so they can move their way into our free society to take what we give so freely, financial support, etc. This would have been a GREAT question to put into the Immigration section!
2007-10-02 10:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by xenypoo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I fully agree w/ you....I worked retail for a while and I hated having to try and help someone who had no clue what I was talking about. Its annoying! I dont think its racist at all....how can it be? I am not saying anything about a persons race, I am just saying that when you go to another country its only normal for people to learn the language!
2007-10-02 10:34:28 · answer #5 · answered by tll 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
of course it isn't why isn't racist when ever other country has an official language?? if we go to Spain, France or China and we can't speak the language we get "ts". When my grandparents came here they worked their butts off to learn english and were proud of it. I WISH I were able to speak, read and write Portugese but I never learned anything but the swearing. WE SHOULD have an official language. It's the language of business and trade and it's the easiest to learn.
2007-10-02 10:10:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I don't see how a language issue could be racist. Racism concerns people's races, not languages. Yes, I speak English so I prefer English but if I spoke any other languages (well at least) I wouldn't mind using them. I wouldn't say if you live in the US you have to know English, but you do have to know how to communicate, and English is the best way.
2007-10-02 10:00:43 · answer #7 · answered by Pfo 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907
2007-10-02 09:59:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
No, it’s not racist at all. It’s common freaking sense. My wife whose parents are straight from Mexico believes English should be the official language of America. (she is a fluent Spanish speaker)
Imagine the insane logistics required and money wasted if everybody who comes from other countries insists we accommodate them. That is truly insane… (as seems to be par for the Left)
2007-10-02 10:18:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
If I go to another country, I don't expect others to speak English to cater to my needs. I will learn the native language before I move there. That's just common sense.
And if a salesperson doesn't speak English, then I will leave and take my business elsewhere.
2007-10-02 10:02:36 · answer #10 · answered by TRUE PATRIOT 6 · 7⤊ 1⤋