Gloria Anzaldua was a little girl caught between two worlds.
She was most comfortable speaking her native language of Spanish, but was
required to speak English at school. Even at recess on her own free time she
would get in trouble for speaking Spanish to the other children and would
receive three licks on the knuckles with a sharp ruler. She grew up very
unhappy and violated being told to speak a different language then what she
felt comfortable with.
Anzaldua believes that denying a group their language is a
violation of the of the first amendment. She also claims that it is an act of
violence. I disagree with this notion. The first amendment protects what you
say, not how you say it. I agree its bad the way that she was treated but that doesn’t
mean that it violates the first amendment. While some may say “Repeated attacks
on our native language tongue diminished our sense of self.” I don’t believe that
it is considered violent to forcefully encourage someone to speak the primary language
of the country they live in. In the long run it is going to be beneficial to
them. It would be no different than if I went to another country and was immersed
in their culture and language and had to learn the language in order to
communicate. Anzaldua says “For me food and certain smells are tied to my
identity and home land.” I don’t believe anyone was wanting her to completely
lose her identity by encouraging her to speak English. America is a blend of so
many different cultures and that Is one of the things that makes us so great.
It is important for people to nurture their native languages and traditions in
their homes but at the same time in order to be successful in America , It is
very beneficial to learn English.
I’m not entirely in agreement with you, but I do find your statement, “The first amendment protects what you say, not how you say it” very interesting. I like this idea and it’s definitely something more people, throughout the nation, should consider before using the first amendment as protection.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure “encourage” is the right word to use when discussing the process through which Gloria Anzaldua was educated in the English language. She was born in a very different time than the one we’re living in. It is a known that, while being a country established by immigrants, America, as a whole, did oppress different peoples and their cultures. Anzaldua even elaborates on ways that she experienced negativity due to her culture. It was not a process of encouragement.
That being said, I also respect that you acknowledge that Anzaldua and others who did/do not speak English would benefit greatly, while living in America at that time, from learning English. However, our nation was once referred to as “the melting pot”, and I think it is important for everyone to embrace all culture - no matter their background or the country they’re in. Anzaldua’s culture was not embraced and I think you’re neglecting that fact.
I disagree as well. In relation to your comment that the first amendment does not "... [protect] how you [speak]...”, I think the opposite. The first amendment states that “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech”. It protects those who wish to speak their mind (in a non-threatening way), but never specifies a certain language being protected. I take this to mean that all languages are protected under it, even if the language is not English. Also, while “… forcefully [encouraging]…” people to adhere to another countries language does have many benefits, the American ideals do not say you can only be free if you speak English. America was founded on the idea of freedom for all. While they didn’t exactly portray that with the destruction and murder of the natives hundreds of years ago, I still think that the idea of freedom is open to anyone. As you said, “America is a blend of… many different cultures…” and the mix of these cultures is why many people continue to come here. But, we should not force those that want to experience our amazing quality of life to learn English in order to be here. We should be accepting and gently encourage people to learn so that communication can be possible. The use of force is extremely unnecessary.
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