These days the words “bigot” and “hate monger” are used frequently to protect the “rights” of illegal immigrants. There are very few public figures who are concerned with the rights of those who have assimilated into America. Construction business owner and Alabama gubernatorial candidate Tim James is an exception. He is quoted as saying “This is Alabama. We speak English. If you want to live here, learn it.” I agree with him.
My primary reason for supporting this opinion is that the nation cannot function in unison when we are not communicating to each other in one language. There is a group named ProEnglish that is promoting the idea of making English the official language of the United States. The group does not call for the banning of other languages being used but does want English to be the only language used in naturalization ceremonies, including the Oath of Citizenship.
In a pluralistic nation such as ours, the function of government should be to foster and support the similarities that unite us, rather than institutionalize the differences that divide us.
Our nation’s public schools have the clear responsibility to help students who don’t know English to learn that language as quickly as possible. To do otherwise is to sentence the child to a lifetime of political and economic isolation. Quality teaching of English and America’s civic culture should be a part of every student’s curriculum. The study of foreign languages, as an academic discipline, should be strongly encouraged.
All candidates for U.S. citizenship should be required to demonstrate knowledge of English and an understanding of our system of government, at a level sufficient to vote in the language of our country English.
Naturalization ceremonies, including the Oath of Citizenship, must be conducted in English.
The right to use other languages must be respected.
I wrote about my views on October 14, 2007. I have not read anything or heard anything that has changed my opinion.
I am a somewhat cranky but mostly optimistic 65 plus who refuses to give up on this maddening world. The purpose of this BLOG is to express my feelings, thoughts.
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