US at War with Diversity

Let's call it like it is, shall we?

These laws nationalizing the English language are not about the cost to print additional forms at the DMV, or to ensure that everyone know what the word STOP means. These laws come from a fear of an evolving U.S. demographic. These laws are rooted in concerns in a shifting of political and economic power in this country.

These laws are about telling other people how to live their lives, and keeping the majority free from the aural discomfort of an unfamiliar tongue - and I sincerely hope that these laws face the same fate of every "English-as-our-national-language-law" that came before it.

But that isn't to say that I don't think people should learn English in this country. There is a certain level of understanding of basic English that is required in order to function within our borders, and those who refuse to learn English do so to their detriment.

Those who choose to not learn English will be limited in the level of education they can attain, limited in their level of professional success, limited in their income, their ability to attain public office, their ability to travel within our borders.

Years ago, my grandparents came to this country with established lives, and thus, know just enough English to get by when necessary. They wanted to learn English well (Cubans are both the most likely Hispanic demographic in the US to learn English and to maintain Spanish as a primary language in their household), and made earnest attempts to, but the realities of life continued to get in the way - raising children, running a business, assisting other family. They are hard working, honest, law-abiding, tax-paying, citizens of this country who positively influence their community. Are they any less American because they primarily speak Spanish?

Chew on this hypothetical: Say this law is passed and all government documents were only made available in English. If an unforeseen catastrophe would befall my grandparents and cause them to turn to their government for assistance, would that mean that a trailer-park-dwelling, never-held-a-job-for-more-than-a-week, high-school-dropout, drug-abusing, deadbeat who knows English would be more deserving of government help than my upstanding grandparents?

An extreme example, true, but one that is not at all unlikely. It points to discrepancies that could amount to discrimination. What about US residents who are part of the proposed guest worker program? Further limiting their options while in this country, on top of being able to be deported at the say-so of their employer, turns them into nothing more than indentured servants.

Citizenship exams, like the ones my grandparents took, require the applicant to answer questions regarding American history and laws in English, as well as recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This is fine. In fact, I'm very happy that this is a requirement for citizenship. But for English to be overtly declared the official language and the nation's "common and unifying" tongue, crosses a line on what this country was founded: a unifying and malleable culture whose ability to evolve is paramount to its ability to thrive.

The legislators can fight their windmills, but the fact remains: declaring a national language won't change what this country is - a mosaic spotted with wide-ranging cultures, each contributing to the fabric of society in its own unique way - and the Spanish-speaking spots on that mosaic will continue to steadily grow.

Instead of passing these pointless and impractical laws, perhaps it's time to invest in some Spanish classes.

Sería prudente, ¿no?