English only

Cloud · 10-02-2007, 11:28 AM

I was watching CNN last night, and they were having a segment about places trying to get "English only" laws passed; i.e., only English in official government docs, taught in schools, etc.

HEATED arguments ensued between opposing viewpoints. What do you think of this?

I will give you my opinion, and remember, I'm an Anglo living in an area with an 80% Hispanic population.

--first, I really don't think that "English only" is a good, practical, or beneficial idea. It's not a requirement that citizens speak English, and second and third generations always lose most of their old language anyway.

--second, and this is really the kicker-- I don't care how many times they deny it, to me the "English First" stuff is nothing but thinly disguised bigotry and hatred, and I won't have anything to do with that.

I am so tired of institutionalized fear, bigotry, and hatred.

I know this issue is related to the illegal immigration problem, too, but not exclusively. Plenty of legal aliens and citizens in my town speak only Spanish.

ETA: Here's the CNN page covering this stuff:

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/hispanic.heritage/

10-02-2007, 11:28 AM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	English only I was watching CNN last night, and they were having a segment about places trying to get "English only" laws passed; i.e., only English in official government docs, taught in schools, etc. HEATED arguments ensued between opposing viewpoints. What do you think of this? I will give you my opinion, and remember, I'm an Anglo living in an area with an 80% Hispanic population. --first, I really don't think that "English only" is a good, practical, or beneficial idea. It's not a requirement that citizens speak English, and second and third generations always lose most of their old language anyway. --second, and this is really the kicker-- I don't care how many times they deny it, to me the "English First" stuff is nothing but thinly disguised bigotry and hatred, and I won't have anything to do with that. I am so tired of institutionalized fear, bigotry, and hatred. I know this issue is related to the illegal immigration problem, too, but not exclusively. Plenty of legal aliens and citizens in my town speak only Spanish. ETA: Here's the CNN page covering this stuff: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/hispanic.heritage/ __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!" Last edited by Cloud; 10-02-2007 at 11:41 AM.

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