An English Only Law for America? I Really Don’t Think So


Growing up in a bi - lingual household, I learned very early in life to appreciate the beauty of both the English and Spanish languages. For example there are at least nine different ways of saying "I love you" in the Spanish language versus only one in the English language. Along with being raised within a bi - lingual household when we relocated to Milwaukee Wisconsin, we lived in a neighborhood that was filled with many different languages. Therefore, I learned to speak a few phrases in several different languages such as Polish, Russian, and German. Although, I must admit at first I thought it was strange to hear so many different languages however; I learned to accept this and the people as my friends and neighbors. I also came to realize that a good number had immigrated to this country in search of a better life for themselves and their children. When I look back on those times, I am glad that I learned to take advantage of the fact I had picked up a smattering of several languages other than English and Spanish. For example, while I was employed by a four star restaurant as a server. On one particular evening, I was asked to work the dessert cart. On that evening, I had one table that the guest spoke several different languages. After describing all of the desserts in English I had to repeat the same description in Spanish and once again in Russian. The guests were so impressed that instead of their server receiving a gratuity they left it with the shift manager with the instructions, "This is for the person who brought the desserts.

However, whenever I think about an "English Only Law for the United States I have to think to myself, "What in the world are our politicians thinking?" The currently proposed "English Only Law will not make use of English anymore official than it already is today. Presently there are many laws governing the use of English throughout America. Most of the fifty states, along with all of the territories, and common wealth's use English as a legally sanctioned requirement for public and judicial institutions. These laws currently regulate court and legislative proceedings, official records and legal notices. In fact most of the fifty states require English language examinations before a person may practice a profession such as law or medicine. The English language is already a civic requirement that still exists for individuals seeking to become naturalized citizens of this nation. However, it took the United States Supreme Court until 1923 to strike down laws in over twenty states, which made "English Official" and prohibiting the teaching of other languages in schools. That such "English only" "legislation was reprehensive to the basic laws of our nation" was made clear by Justice McRenolds, who wrote for the Court in Meyer vs. Nebraska (1923) U.S. 325.

Although, while we still resided in Texas my siblings and myself included were instructed by our parents on more than one occasion "never speak any Spanish on school property whatsoever." To do so meant that punitive action could be taken against us simply because we were Mexican - American. Additionally, Texas history clearly shows that English - only laws had been enacted as early as 1918. This was the norm in Texas public education until June of 1973 when then Texas governor Dolph Brisco signed into effect "The Bi - lingual Educations Act." (SB121)

Here we are early into the twenty - first century and our conservative talking heads have been harping on the need that English should become our national language. For those of us that grew up in what I call the waste state of Texas under what was then called "The Penny Fine Law" and "The Black Square Law" this is nothing new. The United States has a long history of trampling over minority civil rights all in the name of making them more American than they already are. However, and English only law is nothing new in American history for instance in 1780 John Adams suggested that an academy be formed for the pure dedication to the English Language. Fortunately the Continental Congress decided against Mr. Adams idea and considered it to be "undemocratic and a threat to individual liberties." Clearly, the Continental Congress had the wisdom to see that Mr. Adams idea would lead our country into being a mono - linguistic nation.

However, while most Americans seem to think that this is a current necessity, the truth of the matter is that this has been a debate since the United States first came into being in existence. To give you a better idea about this argument, in 1907, United States President Theodore Roosevelt wrote, "We have but room but for one language in this country, and that is the English language, for we intend to see the crucible turns out people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house." It is clearly abundant that President Roosevelt had no regard for the "First Amendment." If we as modern day Americans had the ability to travel back in time when this nation was in its infancy we as modern day citizens would be shocked to hear anywhere between from fifteen to twenty different languages spoken by the individual inhabitants on any given day. When I think of all of the beauties of our country the one that stands out the most is its own great diverse languages that are spoken within her boundaries.

On the other hand, during our formative years along with our primary education we are in fact taught the English language. Additionally, anyone who pursues any type of higher education must take some type of English class. So why do we need to make English our national language? A great number of individuals claim that non - English speaking residents are a drain on local resources. However, these same individuals have not grasped the idea that when a person or a family arrives on our shores from another country that they may do not have the necessary skills or ability to speak English as well as you or I. on the other hand, do they fear that the English - speaking residents of this nation will soon become the minority? I firmly believe those fears are unfounded and without merit. Although I still respect those same citizens and accept them as my fellow Americans.

If any red - bloodied American were to take the time to coldly read our "Bill of Rights,' they would clearly see that an English only law actually violates the first amendment. For those of you who are unfamiliar with how the first amendment is written let me refresh your memory, "Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." When I read the passage "prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech" nowhere within that passage or within the first amendment for that matter do I see that we must speak the English language. Furthermore, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has stated that "English Only Laws" are inconsistent with both the First Amendment right to communicate with or petition the government, as well as free speech, and the right to equality because they bar government employees from providing non - English language assistance and services.

Additionally, English Only Laws and rules are a clear violation of individual civil rights. For instance, presently there is a group of Philippino employees that are currently involved in a civil law suit against the Delano Regional Medical Center for not allowing them to speak Tagalog while at the same time allowing others to speak Spanish or other languages. This is a prime example of the inconsistences of these rules and laws, why would this particular employer state that these employees must speak English only while at the same time allowing other employees to speak Spanish and Hindi? This case is currently under litigation by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, which represents the plaintiffs. Moreover, I have no doubt that if congress and the senate were to pass and English Only Law that the United States Supreme Court will see it as a violation of the first amendment and our Constitution.

Yet the debate continues that the English Language should be our national language, as it would provide a means of communicate freely between all citizens. However, it also raises the following questions. First, is creating this law a real necessity within our nation? Second, is this same law being created out of fear? Personally, I firmly believe that it is being done more out of fear than necessity. My reasoning is as follows; according to the U. S. Census Bureau currently there are twenty - five states with a total of two hundred forty - eight voting districts that are predominately Hispanic. Furthermore, according to these same statistics the Census Bureau predicts that the Latino will become the largest minority group within the United States. In addition we have never given up our Spanish nor will we ever.

The founding father of this nation knew and understood that this country of ours would and should not automatically be a mono - linguistic nation. George Lyman Locke (1835 - 1919), a Rhode Island minister wrote the following words, "Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindred tongues." This quote is only a small part taken from a prayer for our nation. However, when I read these same words it is easy to see how the writer was exemplifying the Latin words found on our currency "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of Many One). Yet many of our current leaders and lawmakers seem to have lost touch with what our early political leaders and lawmakers saw in their time and had the foresight to know that it would still apply to us in the twenty - first century.

An English Only Law will not help anyone learn the English language. Nor will it improve our nation as a whole either. Moreover, it will not lead to more cohesive nation. In fact, it will create a more divisive nation. For example, Senator Marco Rubio has openly stated that he supports the currently proposed English Only Law. With his admission, he has totally disregarded the fact that he was raised in a bi - lingual household and that he himself is also bi - lingual. His support of the currently proposed law has cause a rift within the Cuban - American communities within the state of Florida. This proposed Law is an absolute insult to all those Americans who would like to learn English but cannot for one reason or another.

Legislating an official language will not produce "better citizens" nor will it make them feel "more American" than they are already. On the contrary, the effort sends ethnic communities the message that it is un - American to be actively bi - lingual and the desire to maintain ties to one's cultural and linguistic heritage as unpatriotic. Paradoxically, the stated objective of the "English Only Law" is to foster unity and nationhood by legislating, a common language is in fact having the opposite desired effect. Entire communities have been split on both ideologically along racial and linguistic lines.

Will the great debate over English as our national language end? I seriously doubt that it will. As long as the United States supreme court continues to uphold the First amendment of our constitution this argument will continue for many years to come. Besides when I think of all the wonderful beauties within our nation, I see all of the diverse languages spoken within her boundaries as one of them. In contrast to that same thought, if the ongoing effects to make English as the official language of the United States are successful, English will not be our official language, discrimination will. The "English Only Law is merely the latest form of "linguistic racism" within the United States. Antagonism and discrimination based on language goes beyond race and victimizes virtually every immigrant residing in this country. As long as, we remember that the First Amendment guarantees everyone freedom of speech then maybe we as Americans can move forward in an era where we can look upon our fellow citizens with a degree of acceptance rather than an eye of suspicion.