There is a sign that has been placed in one of the landmark eateries (Geno's) of South Philly. It reads: "THIS IS AMERICA. PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH". It symbolizes a debate that has been going on in this country lately on forcing immigrants to learn English.
The only positive part of Joe Vento's (owner of Geno's) sign is that he has the right to put it up. The First Amendment protects the right to free speech, no matter how mean-spirited, foul, racist, xenophobic and ignorant it may be (which is the spirit of this sign, contrary to Mr. Vento's assertions). I will defend his right to put up the sign, but my support clearly ends there.
First and foremost, Geno's is NOT known for their hospitable and friendly atmosphere. Truth be known, if you want a taste of the bad side of Philadelphia, go to Geno's. This famous eatery specializes in rude and arrogant behaviour. Their cheesesteaks are more like gutbombs than sandwiches (best tasted at 2 A.M. when a drunk wants some munchies and nothing else is open for service). On top of that, Mr. Vento is not a rocket scientist (after you have heard him speak, you will understand what I mean). Fortunately, I have met a lot of good people from South Philly. I know that Mr. Vento is an anomaly. But people like him still give Americans and Philadelphians a very bad name. They use their "patriotism" as a billy club and a bully pulpit.
The debate over making immigrants learn English is not debatable for people who have a clear view of history. It is true that previous generations have learned English and assimilated into our culture. However, what most Americans fail to realize is that it took at least a generation or two (in some cases) before previous immigrants learned the language. My family came to America in July of 1838. As late as the mid 20th century, they could still speak some German. Not everyone is blessed with the ability to become fluent in a language that isn't native to them.
In fact, some of the "Speak English" people have that problem. They can't learn another language. That is part of the reason that they are unwilling to allow immigrants to speak in their native tongue.
Also, I have been told by some people that the immigrants "refusing" to speak English is a threat to our way of life. This is poppycock! America is a melting pot and always has been. Our way of life, as we know it, has come from many different cultures. In fact, our country was founded on some people who immigrated from another country (Britain). So how can a melded culture be threatened by more change? It can't.
I believe that this debate is rooted in racism. The "Euro-Americans" are afraid that the Latinos/Africans/Asians/Arab/(name a non-white ethnicity) are taking over and going to ruin
our country (what will be ruined is never explained). But the FACT of the matter is that this is FAR FROM THE TRUTH! These people will add more color to America, just as our ancestors did when they emigrated.
Last, but not least, I had the privilege of living in two countries where I did not speak the language (Italy - four and a half months, Germany - two months/twice). It was hard enough to get around and try to learn the language. I didn't have the barrier of trying to support a family in that country (in some cases, holding down two or three jobs). I didn't have the barrier of a hostile population (yes, Americans can be a hostile group). I also didn't have the barrier of being in a totally foreign atmosphere (I was deployed to a NATO base where English was the primary language and I could fall back to, as necessary).
To sum this up, there are NO immigrants not trying to learn English. There is a group of people who came to a country thinking that this was the "land of the free". Free to live a life free of persecution. Free to worship and free to live your life. Even to go so far as to be free to learn English or not learn English. I guess that was their mistake. Maybe this country isn't as free as we once thought it was.
