Tennessee "English only" requirement racist?
Even though people of many races speak English? The amendment says that all city business must be conducted in English.
"Too many have been quick to label anyone who supports the amendment as racist and xenophobic. At best, proponents are called ignorant and insensitive. To be sure, Nashville has its share of people who are hateful and cruel, judging by the ugly online comments to news stories related to immigration. But with their dismissive attitude toward anyone who has a different point of view, many opponents of English-Only can hardly claim the high road.
Yet, as an ESL teacher who promotes assimilation, I believe in encouraging a common language and culture. I have problems with driver's license tests being offered in other languages, and I want to know why students can take the GED in Spanish or French when they're required to know English to be eligible to take the test. I would welcome better thought out and more narrowly focused English policies that are more likely to have a practical impact and limit the number of unintended consequences.
Source
5 comments:
What's the problem? The amendment failed by a vote of the Tennessee electorate. What else do you want? If the amendment's backers failed to articulate the reason for and the need for passage and allowed their opponents to re-frame the debate in terms of racism and intolerance, it's their own fault.
Do you realize that more people speak English "outside" of America than do here? It's a language that's not only accepted, but widely used in many, many countries. Any wonder why we've become an international joke?
"Que Sera, Sera amigos!
I'll bet if you went to France, China, the Ukraine, or any of a huge number of other countries, you'd be required to take tests and complete forms in THEIR native languages. Whatever happened to us wanting to fit in with the global community?
"...likely to have a practical impact and limit the number of unintended consequences."
Any legislation passed should consider this statement. The majority of bad legislation fails because of what the writers call'unintended consequences'. Sadly, the opposition is usually on record of noting these 'likely' consequences.
Prime example is the TARP and the latest 'stimulus' plan.
-darko
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