I am originally from South Florida and have lived and worked for many years in Miami, Florida, where the street signs are in english and in spanish and much of the population are spanish speaking. There is a lot of spanish radio and spanish signage on commercial establishments. One could definitely get by without speaking a lick of english if they stayed in these areas.
This is an interesting topic that I discussed/read/wrote about extensively in a law school class called "US Races and the Justice System." In that class we talked about so-called "English Only" laws which required that all government documents/street signs/etc. be printed in English Only. The pro is that it saves time/money/resources, and compels people to learn to read and write and speak english. The con is that it disenfranchises (look it up if you dont know what it means) spanish speakers or those who are not proficient in English and can be viewed as discriminatory. It should be noted that many of these people who cannot read/write english ARE US CITIZENS, not immigrants or illegal aliens.
Additionally, in this class we also discussed a theory authored by Neil Gotunda (I think that was his name) called reverse assimilation. Basically the theory of reverse assimilation goes as follows: (1) The first level of immigrants who come fresh off the boat work the hardest, both economically and work the hardest in attempting to assimilate and prove to society that they are a benefit. (2) Their offspring, who are born in America and are thus US Citizens, see their parent's efforts to assimilate as "selling out" thier heritage, see the discrimination and injustice wrought upon minorities in the US, and go backwards towards poverty/drugs/despondency etc...
BTW, unless you're a Native American Indian, you're an immigrant too.
Also spanish speaker does not equal mexican, for all the ignorant people using the word "Mexican" instead of "spanish speaker."
I forget who but somebody posted "even though to be a citizen you are supposed to be fluent in English." This is simply untrue and the U.S. Immigration code states that simply being born in America makes you a citizen. This is the law that our legislature made whom YOU elected.
Also elder, you really need to get past this. I don't see what is so difficult to understand. Many citizens speak spanish and companies would like to make it easier for them too. It isn't any skin off of your back. I dont get what your so upset about? Is it because this is spoiling the sanctity of your "pure" nation? Is it becasue you can only read/see so many things in a day and seeing the spanish is filling up your quota?
Don't get me wrong, I can completely empathize with people in the exceptional areas where they do have a hard time because they cannot speak English. Miami is a perfect example. It sucks and it does give somebody the feelings "Why the (how do you get that shaqfu symbol in your posts?) am I having a hard time here because everybody here is speaking spanish and this is America Damn It!?" That does suck and it is unfortunate but that is not the issue here. You're not complainging about the uniquely cuban ethnic areas of S. Miami, you're complaint is with "Everything in Spanish."
Additionally you asserted that signs in Spanish are everywhere which requires no response because it is prima facie absurd. I've personally traveled America extensively, both coasts and much of the middle. Spanish speakers/signage is the exception, not the norm. As to the automated phone menus, so long as you Press 1 for English and 2 for Spanish I dont have a problem with it. (just kidding, kind of).
Well said !!
ing coast guard commercial is in spanish now.[/quote]
(The illegals anyway.) And I don't care if you're white, black, brown, blue or pink, if you're here illegally, GET THE FCUK OUT.
