I'm Proudly Bilingual And Your English-Only Movement Will Not Erase My Culture
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I'm Proudly Bilingual And Your English-Only Movement Will Not Erase My Culture

I am tired of having to defend the people I love because you are so intolerant to my culture and my language.

249
Bilingual Protest

Dear English-only advocate,

We have been discussing the power of culture in my communication classes. Along with this discussion, we have explored the importance of language. Did you know that language is actually an essential part of many cultures in the United States? If you didn't, now you do. I guess I have to agree with them. Spanish gave me an entirely new world and standpoint. It has allowed me to communicate with people across the world whether it be family or friends. I am a first-generation college student so this topic is very real to me in my everyday life.

I have walked into buildings and translated/interpreted for my mother or my aunts. I have seen your stares as my mom talks to me in the grocery store. I see your heads turn when I say hello to my friends. I see the scoffs you throw my way when I am on the phone. I watch as you nod your head no to my Spanish music.

The English-only movement doesn't simply take away my language, but it takes away a part of me and who I am. I understand the concept of wanting English to be the official language but I don't agree with it. I don't agree with the erasure of my history. I don't agree with imposing people like me to be monolingual. Of course, the movement isn't saying to not speak another language but rather simply condense the language down to one. But we both know that it will ultimately result in erasure. The months will pass, the documents won't be in my native language anymore, I won't be allowed to speak it in school, and pretty soon it will slowly fade away. It has happened to so many languages already.

I do not understand your drive to erase my history. I do not understand the privilege you think you have to tell me what to speak. The funny thing is that even when people do learn, even when people like my mom put their best foot forward to communicate, it isn't enough. It will never be enough. It is all ultimately a ripple effect.

Ultimately, what you are advertising is a monolingual society. I guess no matter how much of a first world country we are, our history will always lead us back to sameness and assimilation. Isn't that right? It is either assimilating or else. We either conform to English or we fall through the cracks. Now I understand why we call ourselves the melting pot, it is because by creating a melting pot you assimilate all the rest of the cultures into one.

But I won't allow it. I won't allow the beautiful languages of the United States of America to be lost. I will not allow you to tell me not to speak my native language. You can belittle me, yell at me, scoff as you walk past, and claim I am unamerican. You have the freedom to do that. But please be advised, I also have the freedom to respond.

I am so tired. I am tired of having to explain myself to the world. I am tired of being treated as less than. I am tired of having to defend the people I love because you are so intolerant to my culture and my language.

I am proud to be bilingual. I will not allow your movement to erase my culture.

Sincerely,

A bilingual speaker

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51679
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33190
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956133
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181050
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments