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
