Posted on 07/09/2002 10:43:24 AM PDT by Tancredo Fan
Singer's remark riles Hispanics -- Greeley debates 'English' comment
By Michael Riley
Denver Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 09, 2002
A country western singer who told his audience at the Greeley Independence Stampede that immigrants should learn to speak English ignited an emotional debate in a community that has seen an influx of Hispanics over the past decade.
Warner Brothers recording star Chad Brock said Monday that his comments were meant to express his "pride in being American." But Hispanic leaders said they were racist and the failure of Stampede organizers to condemn them shows the refusal to embrace newcomers.
Brock stepped on stage Friday to belt out hits like "Lighting Does the Work," but he salted his performance with some sharp opinions.
In a speech between sets, Brock said he was tired of having to adapt to the widening influence of the country's newcomers. "You are coming to our country. We don't speak Russian. We don't speak Spanish. We speak English here," Brock told an audience of 7,000, according to the Greeley Tribune. While many Hispanics in the audience walked out, people who attended the event said many non-Hispanics cheered.
Brock, a former pro wrestler, said Monday that the comments came out of an honest patriotic fervor, inspired in part by a recent court decision declaring the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional.
"I'm not a racist. I wasn't directing the comments toward any particular group. I was speaking my mind as an American" during the Fourth of July holiday, Brock said.
"But I had no idea there were so many Hispanics in Greeley," he said. "I didn't mean to offend anybody."
Hispanic leaders said "offend" doesn't even begin to cover it.
"His comments were bigoted, inflammatory and hateful," said Roberto Cordova, a local college professor.
The issue goes deeper than Brock, said Jorge Amaya, director of the Northern Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce. "The problem isn't what Brock said. The problem is that our community leaders didn't step up to condemn it."
At a news conference Monday, the Hispanic leaders demanded an apology from city officials, the event's corporate sponsors and Stampede organizers. They said this isn't the first time the Stampede has offended the city's growing Hispanic population.
Citing poor ticket sales, Stampede organizers last year canceled the fiesta section of the annual event.
Stampede marketing director Kyle Holman said organizers wanted to make the fiesta more inclusive and renamed it Family Night.
"Mr. Brock has the right of free speech just like every other American," Holman said. "But his opinion aren't necessarily the opinions of the Greeley Stampede."
But some here said they share Brock's sentiments.
According to census figures, Greeley's Hispanic population nearly doubled in the 1990s, as immigrants, many with limited English skills, took jobs in the region's meat packing plants and feedlots.
As the ethnic makeup of schools and neighborhoods shifts, some residents say they feel left out. Language has become both a divide and a flashpoint.
"If we're going to communicate, everybody needs to speak the same language," said Billie Messner, a patron at a local coffee shop.
Greeley City Manager Leonard Wiest said the city is working to accommodate newcomers.
Brock said Monday that while he's sorry if his comments offended anyone, he won't apologize.
"I had the guts to speak out, but I think a lot of people feel the same way," he said.
I don't care how people speak in their own homes but when they expect drivers tests and road signs to be changed so they can get around then I have a problem.
As for work, an employer has every right to ask that they speak in english while working and on the premises. I very much doubt that other languages would be allowed in a gov't workplace but not spanish. Show the proof of that one.
It is always the self appointed, hypersensitive leaders and activists who get the publicity. I wonder if average immigrants are embarrassed by these hair balls?
Oh, you mean like President Bush's plan to give amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants?
Go over to DU where you belong.
HUH??
What in the world are we coming to??? Are we the United States of America or Los Estados Unidos del Norte America??
Has EVERYBODY lost their cojones (not English) in this country??
What do you know? A grandstander!
My honey's first language is Tagalog, and the vast majority of Tagalog speaking people assimilate into American culture quite well.
Will you be joining Aztlan in the next 20-30 years senor? I'll be glad to forward your comments to his official website, if he has one that is.
I believe he did:
Brock said Monday that while he's sorry if his comments offended anyone, he won't apologize.
"I had the guts to speak out, but I think a lot of people feel the same way," he said.
What language someone speaks in private is there business I fact I would encourage this around a family children so they become fluent is both languages.
However what language someone speaks in public is different if someone is fluent in both.
It can be rude to speak at length in a foreign language in front of a non speaker.
It is a way of talking “behind someone back” in front of someones face.
I know many non Hispanic that speak fluent Spanish and you would be amazed at what is said in front of you and about you when it’s assumed you don’t understand
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Unless the INS, Congress, the President, or whoever in government takes seriously what is happening in our country, expect us to be the Yugoslavia of the Western Hemisphere in the next decade or two.
Someone needs to remind skeeter that this statement is totally false. Get a grip skeety!
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