Photograph By Jim Young

I am dumbfounded or at least, wish I were.  America has once again proved itself xenophobic!  I awoke to the news, “Senate Votes to Set English as National Language.”  Apparently, on Thursday, May 18, 2006, the Senate agreed to declare English this nation’s official language.  The debate, prior to the formal poll was passionate.  The word “racism” was tossed about.  Nevertheless, the bigoted belied what they know to be correct and voted overwhelmingly to impose English upon all that enter this land.  The final vote was 63 in favor, 34 against.

However, ‘moments later,’ the voice of reason filled the room, Senate members altered their stance slightly.  They again voted, and this time passed a less powerful amendment.  English would be titled the “unifying language.”  I ask how a divisive dictum can unify rather than divide.  Sadly, I am certain I will not receive an answer that I can comprehend.  According to Democratic Senator Harry Reid “Although the intent may not be there, I really believe this amendment is racist.  I believe it is directed at people who speak Spanish.”  Mr. Reid, I trust that is true.  America has become focused on Mexican immigrants.  This nation wants the “Brown” out!  
Our countrymen want to forcibly rid this nation of color, if they can.  Any method that might work will be initiated.  Though there are some voices of reason, Speaking of the situation, Alabama Republican Senator Jeff Sessions, a leading opponent of immigration legislation stated, “The Senate should be ashamed of itself.”  There are also reluctant vocalizations within the Senate.  Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Republican from Tennessee, and potential Presidential candidate, declined to state whether he intends to vote for the plan.  He was willing to offer, “It’s [his decision is] certainly moving in that [the affirmative] direction.

Should the Senate approve and House sign on, the President, our Emperor will need to accept the legislation.  Baby Bush is conflicted.  White House press secretary Tony Snow said, ‘‘What the President has said all along is that he wants to make sure that people who become American citizens have a command of the English language.  It’s as simple as that.”

It is as simple as what?  Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, speaking on the subject added to the confusion and complexity.  Gonzales declared, “The president has never supported making English the national language.”  The Attorney General then spoke for himself, ”I don’t see the need to have legislation or a law that says English is going to be the national language.”  However, Congress does, or is pretending to in order to please their constituents.

The prejudiced population in this country presupposes that the English Only imposition is not enough to deter entrants’ citizenship.  Therefore, the formal standards will be made more stringent.  A working knowledge of the English language will not be acceptable; proficiency will be expected.  Congress also added other stricter regulations to the bill.  Mastery of United States history and government theory will be required.  There will be little consideration for competency.  An applicant will pass or fail, become a citizen or remain an “alien” because Americans are running scared and Congress is running for re-election.

It is for this reason, that the Senate, for the first time in its history has passed such an amendment.  Sadly, states have engaged in similar restrictions for decades.  In America, English only has long been increasingly made the standard.

For decades this nation and its “silent majority” have spoken.  Subtlety, though significantly, America, has passed restrictive language laws.  Of course, each of these specifies, “English only.”  Nationally English Only legislation first appeared in Congress in 1981.  A constitutional abridgement titled the, English Language Amendment was introduced.  This proposal was never ratified.  Had it been, English would already be America’s exclusive language.  Federal, state, and local governments would have banned all others.  The measure was not voted upon, even in Committee.  Now times have changed; we are more openly discriminating.

However, it is important to note, since 1981, approximately thirty states have adopted English only legislation.  Four states had approved policies barring the use of other vernaculars prior to 1981.  Hawaii’s is officially bilingual, as is, Alaska.  Arizona attempted to prohibit the use of other forms of speech; it voters passed English-only initiatives; however, these were declared unconstitutional.  In 2002, Iowa became the twenty-seventh state to ratify an English only law.

Division within the country called for such measures in local elections and now nationwide we will visit the idea.  Currently, citizens are in a tizzy.  They fear for their jobs.  Pensions are being pulled; health care is a privilege.  Outsourcing is the standard.  Life is not as stable as it once seemed to be.  People are apprehensive and nervous; when they call American companies, the voices on the telephone are foreign.  Here at home, the population is changing; neighbors no longer look as they once did.  White has taken flight or is merely out-numbered.  People feel great trepidation; they fear strangers.  Chauvinism and intolerance are on the rise.

People are seeking solutions; they have explored many.  Logistically, America cannot deport the eleven to sixteen million immigrants that entered this country illegally.  Laws requiring employers to report questionable documentation are not enforced and therefore, do not work.  Homeowners sponsor illegal entrants by offering them jobs.  Trafficking is profitable, and thus the “problem” continues.  Imposing a language on the “illegals” seems to be the only or best response to a growing quandary.

However, interestingly, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, English is widely spoken among immigrants.  

Research studies show that over 95 percent of first generation Mexican Americans are English proficient, and that more than 50 percent of second generation, Mexican-Americans, have lost their native tongue entirely.  In addition, census data reveals that nearly 90 percent of Latinos five years old or older speak English in their households.  [And]  Ninety-eight percent of Latinos surveyed said they felt it is “essential” that their children learn to read and write English “perfectly.”

Among these non-natives, education is the lost link.  Desire is strong, active attempts to acquire the English language stronger.  There is a shortage of English as a Second Language classes.  Few states offer such an option.  The states that do, receive little support.  Communities are reluctant to serve those they want out.

Children of European descent think “Immersion” programs are best; no programs at all would be better.  After all, their parents learned to speak the language, or at least some did.  In years past communities were different and people learned, as they do today, based on need.  Their progeny forget or reject this.  In the last fifty years, “Language Acquisition” has been studied.  Experts offer various theories; however, all maintain fluency in a second language can be a challenge.

The consensus is it takes approximately seven years to truly achieve fluency.  The first two typically involve listening more then use.  Private speech develops first.  Societal situations, circumstances with a given community, and the history of each individual influences what is learned and exhibited.  It is far easier to achieve expertise before the age of twelve.  Is that not the reason for the amendment, at least in part?  Eliminate entrance into America; require English proficiency.

There are other motives for such a measure.  Eliminating the “Brown” is but one cause; elections are another.  Members of Congress want the support of their constituents.  Daily they receive a barrage of mail, electronic and snail.  Calls are placed and the voice of the voters is influential, more so than the voices of immigrants.  There is ample anxiety expressed.  “Who are these aliens and why are they living in my country?”

Congress answered.  In December, the House passed the Sensenbrenner Bill and the nation exploded.  This law cut to the core; in country of eleven to sixteen million immigrants of questionable status, many were directly affected, or would be were this amendment became law.  The legislation would make it a federal crime to live in the United States without written permission.  Millions of immigrants that have long worked and resided in the States would become felons; they would be barred from ever obtaining legal status.

According to this initial proposition, individuals who assist or shield undocumented migrants would be subject to prosecution.  Regardless of their title, an offender, be they a priest, nurse, or social worker, could face a five-year prison term.  If convicted of such a crime, authorities would have the legal right to seize a portion of the individual’s assets.  Spouses, and the employers of such émigrés would not escape judgment.  They too could find themselves in jail for an extended time.  Any association with an “alien” could be considered criminal.  

This proposed law spoke to the people that thought it worthy.  It also screamed to those in the helping fields and those actually working in the fields of this country.  This agenda spoke to the millions directly and indirectly affected by this plan.  The immigrants themselves stood up, shouted, and insisted they be noticed.  They were.  Millions of them flooded the streets, carried flags from their countries of origin [along with the red, white and blue], and they sang the American National Anthem in Spanish.  Sigh.

If those that entered this country without certification thought they were being mistreated before, and in my opinion, they were, after these displays, further wrath would befall them, and it has.  Thus, we have the latest proposal.  English will be the official language in America.  The “melting pot” will no longer be fluid; the ingredients will congeal and separate.

In decades past, signs were posted, “Whites Only.”  Assuming this measure becomes law, might we expect banners asserting “English Only.”  What this means legally is still in dispute.  What it signifies ethically is unquestionable.  Racism is rampant and we are a reactive society.  

In this nation of immigrants, we want none.  We want to remain pure, white, and bright.  Thus, we accept émigrés that will advance our brilliance.  We permit the highly educated to reside among us.  Whites are always welcome and if an individual can verify by our own subjective standards, they are not tainted, we might consider their entrance, temporarily.  They can work for us, be our guests.  These barely benign can clean our homes, hotels, and offices.  They can bend over in our fields; they can be our guests, for a time, as long as we are able to ensure that they never learn to speak English.

We want the Mexican migrants here and we do not.  We want them to work and pay taxes; however, we do not wish to support their needs.  We want no evidence of their permanent presence in our neighborhoods.  We are willing to hire these immigrants for a day or an hour.  Then we put them out as refuse.  We have them in our homes; still, they are not in our hearts.  In a nation founded on freedom, there is little for those not native born.  Yet, less than a few centuries ago, few of us were.  How quickly we forget.

“We’re [also] a nation of immigrants, and we must uphold that tradition, which has strengthened our country in so many ways.”
George W. Bush, President Bush’s Address to Nation, The Washington Post.  Monday, May 15, 2006

For your pleasure. Please peruse.

Betsy L. Angert Be-Think

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