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Singer's remark riles Hispanics -- Greeley debates 'English' comment
Denver Post ^ | July 9, 2002 | Michael Riley

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.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Mexico; News/Current Events; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: donutwatch; englishlanguage; illegalimmigration; immigrantlist; michaeldobbs; pc
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To: Joe Hadenuf
"I don't know where anyone would get this impression..."

Simple, from race-baiting liars such as yourself and White Horse.

441 posted on 07/10/2002 10:37:51 PM PDT by Luis Gonzalez
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Hey louie, lets hear your chant again, how does it go? Oh yeah, "Its one two three four, let the border be no more, five six seven eight, we want more to immigrate!
442 posted on 07/10/2002 10:42:01 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Simple, from race-baiting liars such as yourself and White Horse.

That's okay. The LAX shooter's wife is calling everybody a racist also.

Who cares.

443 posted on 07/10/2002 10:44:13 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse
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To: Luis Gonzalez
The Associated Press, July 1, 2002 MEXICO CITY (AP) -- The Mexican government is expecting to issue more than one million consular identification cards in the U.S. this year as part of an effort to help more than three million undocumented immigrants get increased access to public and private services.

The card is also accepted at drivers license offices in Michigan, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana and Iowa. In Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota recognize the "matricula" as an official ID.

444 posted on 07/10/2002 10:46:53 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: He Rides A White Horse
That's okay. The LAX shooter's wife is calling everybody a racist also.

Who cares.

LOL! She is just another America hating SOB.

445 posted on 07/10/2002 10:49:47 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: Joe Hadenuf
Come on Jesse Jr., put up all those posts where I argue in favor of illegal immigrants voting.

The total lack of self-respect that you continually exhibit is astounding.



446 posted on 07/10/2002 10:51:43 PM PDT by Luis Gonzalez
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To: Doctor Stochastic
I have never advocated fragmentation. You have claimed so twice.

Advocating official multilinguilism in a nation that already has one dominant, unifying public language is cultural fragmentation per se. So is the Libertarian "open borders" concept that defies established law. Your stated positions support cultural and legal fragmentation. Are there any other positions you hold that require my help for you to understand?

447 posted on 07/10/2002 10:52:09 PM PDT by Bernard Marx
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Luis Gonzalez/race-baiting liar
448 posted on 07/10/2002 10:52:54 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: Joe Hadenuf
Hey Jesse Jr...you really think that I am the Mexican government?

Where are those posts where I advocate illegal immigrants voting?

449 posted on 07/10/2002 10:53:31 PM PDT by Luis Gonzalez
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Come on "race card louie", you can do better than that.
450 posted on 07/10/2002 10:54:05 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: subterfuge
Let me state that I agree 100% with your assessment.
451 posted on 07/10/2002 10:54:26 PM PDT by dougherty
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To: Joe Hadenuf
Hey...you made the claim that I support illegal immigrants voting, you can't put up one single post of mine that proves your claim.

That makes YOU, Jesse Jr., the race-baiting liar.

452 posted on 07/10/2002 10:55:05 PM PDT by Luis Gonzalez
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Where are those posts where I advocate illegal immigrants voting?

Want proof of your position on illegal immigration? It's every single immigration thread you show up on. Take your pick Jim.

453 posted on 07/10/2002 10:56:02 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: Joe Hadenuf
Show me the proof Jesse Jr...you lie just like your Daddy does.
454 posted on 07/10/2002 10:56:52 PM PDT by Luis Gonzalez
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Louie, LOL! you may fool some in your little clique of followers, but there are a few of us out here that know who you are chum.
455 posted on 07/10/2002 10:57:57 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Anyone that cares can look up "Race card louie", check every single immigration thread you show up on. It's no secret who you support louie, LOL! No need to hide from it louie. Get real
456 posted on 07/10/2002 11:00:37 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Mexicans Say Southwest U.S. Belongs to Them; Shouldn't Need Permission to Enter U.S.

Americans for Immigration Control, Inc | June 11, 2002 | Robert Goldsborough

Posted on 07/09/2002 5:14 AM Pacific by Risa

Americans and Mexicans have widely divergent views of border issues, according to a new poll by Zogby International.

Zogby found that a large majority of the Mexican population believes the southwest territory of the U.S. rightfully belongs to Mexico, and that Mexicans should have the right to enter the U.S. without first obtaining U.S. permission.

By contrast, Zogby's survey of Americans conducted within a few days of the Mexican poll shows a large majority supports reducing immigration levels and wants the military deployed along the border to protect the U.S. from illegal immigration.

Zogby's poll found that 58 percent of Mexicans agree with the statement, "the territory of the United States' Southwest rightfully belongs to Mexico." Only 28 percent disagree, and 14 percent are unsure.

A similar majority, 57 percent, agree with the statement, "Mexicans should have the right to enter the U.S. without U.S. permission," while 35 percent disagree. Seven percent are unsure.

The survey has a margin of error of 3.5 percent. The Mexico portion of the survey was conducted in Spanish between May 25 and May 26 among 801 adults chosen at random throughout Mexico.

457 posted on 07/10/2002 11:03:42 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse
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To: FreedomFriend
Now, there are Mexicans all over the place. Furthermore, Spanish signs are popping up. Spanish billboards, etc. In Marietta, up until recently, you'd have daylaborers walking up and down

That sounds like Houston as well. This invasion has spread all the way from California to Georgia. How much longer will it take until it reaches Washington D.C.?

458 posted on 07/10/2002 11:04:18 PM PDT by dougherty
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To: He Rides A White Horse
Zogby found that a large majority of the Mexican population believes the southwest territory of the U.S. rightfully belongs to Mexico,

Maybe we should all just move out, I am sure we will all feel better, and they can have back what is rightfully theirs....

459 posted on 07/10/2002 11:06:22 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: FreedomFriend
Most of our ATMS are in English & Spanish.

Even the self-checkout at Kroger is in English and Spanish. God forbid they not understand the command "please place your item in the bag", lol.

460 posted on 07/10/2002 11:09:16 PM PDT by dougherty
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