America: this is why you "not."
I don't usually tread in political waters, I keep my opinions to myself (because I don't want to give you the opportunity to tell me I'm wrong) but I can't just shut up about this. It's typical facebook bullshit, but in many ways facebook is the townhall of 15-25 year olds. It's our "main street" and on some levels Facebook offers a cross-section of society. Or a chance to snoop at people, but either way I'm outraged.
I can't even sight/cite all of the shit that pisses me off in this comment section. First of all, are the spanish-speakers in Cornelius, Oregon from Spain? NO. So please, refer to them as "hispanic" or at the very least "mexican."* Are you "English" people? Then don't embarrass yourself, govna! That billboard that is in "Spanish" is there to advertise to the people who have immigrated to the United States from "Mexico." Simple as that. And if it is your "pet peeve" than why don't your learn how to speak Spanish?
What part of "The United States has never declared a national language" leads you to believe that "we" (who is this magical entity?) can make people learn English? Why should they? Are your ancestors Native Americans? No? Oh, then shut up because you're the descendant of immigrants as well. Oh, you ARE Native American? Then you must be pissed that all of us whites were never MADE to learn your Native tongue.
Take a look outside yourself and your experience. Imagine coming to another country, trying to better yourself, and having an upper middle class white girl complain about the fact that she has to press a button on a phone menu. What a hardship.
What a hardship.
*Because it is less ignorant to assume that Spanish speakers in Cornelius, Oregon are from Mexico than it is to assume that they're from Spain. Which, by the way, is in Europe. The way that you portray yourself on Facebook leads me to believe that you may not have a firm grasp on basic geography.**
** I am not a genius, and I can't point to every single country in the world on a map on command, but I behave with common decency and I do not complain about pressing a button on a phone because we welcome people from other countries with open arms. Pressing 1 for English is the least I can do.
The very least.
Also... how would we save money if we forced everyone to learn English? I'd like to hear her science behind that one.
ReplyDeleteThe New Colossus
ReplyDeleteNot like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus, 1883