Learn to habla or go home.
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.
The bulk of the immigrants coming in today are Hispanic, and this story was about them, they're the ones complaining about Brock's remarks. But no, I expect ALL immigrants to learn English as a prerequisite to becoming a citizen.
First I respond to your comment that there's nothing in the Constitution that makes English the national language, and then you agree with me unofficially it is. So why are you getting so angry at all of us who expect immigrants to learn it?
Guess you should then quit your publicly funded job at UNC, Roberto.
It absolutely does no such thing!!!! The First Amendment prohibits restictions on our speech...it does not in any way shape or form determine what languages may be used or barred. If English were enacted as our official language it would simply mean that all official business of the US gov't would be conducted in English...road signs, tax forms, etc and it would preclude ferderal funding for bi0lingual programs. It would not prevent you from speaking Spaninsh or French or Esperanta to anyone you wanted to. Good grief, do you think High School Spanish classes would become illegal?
Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - Editorial - Denver Post
Country and western singer Chad Brock stepped into the mother of all cow pies in his boorish performance at the Greeley Independence Stampede. His comment that immigrants should learn to speak English offended many Latinos who'd gone there to hear him sing.
They're not the only ones offended: We also take umbrage at this loutish misuse of an entertainment venue to insult immigrant communities on the nation's birthday.
"You are coming to our country," the singer said between sets. "We don't speak Russian. We don't speak Spanish. We speak English here."
Although some members of the audience cheered, many Latinos walked out on the performer. Brock is entitled to his opinion, but the people who went to hear him expected to be entertained - not insulted. (It might be another matter entirely if Brock's schtick were in-your-face banter ala Don Rickles.)
Brock said later that he didn't realize Greeley had such a large Latino population and was sorry if he offended anybody but that he wouldn't apologize for his remarks. "I am not a racist," he said. "I wasn't directing the comments toward any particular group. I was speaking my mind as an American."
Indeed, Greeley's Hispanic population nearly doubled during the 1990s, and some members of the community like Jorge Amaya, director of the Northern Colorado Chamber of Commerce, are demanding that Stampede organizers and Greeley city officials condemn Brock's remarks.
That's an excessive demand, given that spokesman Kyle Holman's comment that the Stampede was "not at all pleased that it happened on our stage" effectively amounts to an apology. And, despite the inappropriateness of the venue, we do not believe it is the Stampede's job, or the city's, to "condemn" the content of anyone's political speech, however misguided.
Brock's lack of manners and sensitivity may in part be explained by the fact that he is a former professional wrestler, and whoever said "couth" and pro wrestling belonged in the same sentence?
Given the ill feeling that the Stampede's cancellation of Fiesta Day already has caused in the Latino community, organizers didn't need Brock's sorry display, and they should take care never to book him - or the horse he rode in on - again.
I'm not Native American, my mother is Cajun and Spanish, her Spanish ancestors were among the original settlers in Louisiana,(and my entire family speak English, although some of the old timers still speak French at home...they don't bother the rest of us demanding bi-lingual education though) and my father's people were at Jamestown...also several years before those Yankees got to Massachusettes.
"Please refrain from telling me what I think. I have made no argument about the legality of the incorporation of NM into the US." from your post #258
"As long as you continue to make up things about me and post them, your postings cannot be taken seriously."
So, what have I made up about you? Are you now trying to deny you said what you did in these postings? All I've done is pointed out is that you're making absolutely no sense, and you apparently side ideologically with the Arabs in Israel. If you can't handle someone analyzing your moronic statements about the "illegal" settlement of New Mexico, then don't post them. What are you a "doctor" of anyway? I hope you're a professor of some sort (that would explain a lot), and not an MD. Sheesh...
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
This doesn't apply to most areas, but it is steadily growing. Chamblee looks like another country, and Norcross is getting that way. Clarkston, Smyrna, Marietta, Forest Park, Lawrenceville, Roswell, Canton and Jonesboro have areas that are little Mexicos (not literally named, but you get the picture).
Granted, at least we have Acworth, Kennesaw, Hiram, Alpharetta, Duluth, Buford, Snellville, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Woodstock, Stockbridge, McDonough, Fayetteville, Vinings, Conyers, Suwanee, Powder Springs, East Cobb, as well as a few other places, that aren't having a problem with illegal immigration.
Regarding Brunswick and the Georgia Coast, I don't think that they've received too many illegals. The Georgia Mountains have a larger population of illegals than does the coast.
You can also take heart in that good ol' southern cookin' is still around.
Hey louie, you want to see some unprovoked attacks? Would you care to see them louie? Here let me give you an example of one of your pathetic post.
To: Joe Hadenuf; Marine Inspector; Jhoffa
Here, I'll prove you wrong. MI, we do not see eye to eye on the issue at hand, yet, while we've had heated arguements, I don't believe that I've ever called you a racist or a bigot, have I? Jimmy, what about you?
386 posted on 6/15/02 3:55 PM Pacific by Luis Gonzalez [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 381 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
You have called so many people racist, they you can't even remember who you called racist. LOL! You have to ask them!!
Care to see more louie?
That chip on your shoulder is making you shame yourself.
Learn to habla or go home.
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