I think the reason many people’s hackles go up is because more and more Spanish language/culture is being forced on them and or their children. It’s like a parent making a big deal out of eating vegetables, then making the child eat vegetables instead of making it a matter of fact food item. Choices, we want choices not mandates.
With rare exception- Spanish should not be a required language to learn in order to get an education or job in the United States; children should not be forced to learn it. I think it is a good idea to learn Spanish and would help many with their job, business, or social life- but to each his own.
In recent years we have been invaded by illegals and the feeling now is we are being required to learn their language since there are so many here. That is BS and the wrong approach. Legal immigrants need to be encouraged to assimilate, illegals need to return home. We should not be expected to change our language and culture to accomodate them. If we choose to learn their language or culture that is different. Children should be exposed to other languages and cultures, but not by force.
I personally see nothing wrong with Girl Scouts coming up with the new cookie and using it as an opportunity for the girls to learn a little Spanish- some are in defensive mode about the issue, and will see it as another sign of our children being forced to accomodate.
I think with a few people it is prejudice or bias, with most it is a backlash against loosing more freedom of choice- and a backlash against illegal immigration which our government has wrongly allowed/enabled/encouraged. I admit to that feeling myself- when I see an article like this my first reaction is “Oh no here we go again with this crap” but after thinking about it I can usually sort out the forced PC garbage from normal exposure to other cultures.
I know exactly what you mean, Tammy. I have no beef with learning to speak another language, but you’re right when you say that Spanish IS being pushed on us from every direction.
Last summer, I took the boys to a Met game here in NY. As you may or may not know, Shea Stadium was in its last season and I wanted to take the kids again before its destruction.
Little did I know that I’d purchased tickets to “La Noche de Merengue!”
The entire game was called over the PA system in Spanish. “!E en hora...numero cinqo...David Wright!” (Please excuse both my Spanish grammar and spelling. I did not take this language in school.)
I spent the entire evening seething, which was too bad, and is indicative of what you were saying. Why should I seethe? What’s wrong with Spanish? Well...nothing, in and of itself, but this overriding push to include it in every single aspect of our lives is extremely irritating.
Regards,
PS: They DID play the National Anthem in English, but it was the ONLY English besides “There is no smoking anywhere in Shea Stadium.” Many of the graphics on the big screen were also in Spanish.