La Opinion
(Editorial)
September 8, 2015
Nothing
enriches people and countries like the richness of languages and
cultures they represent. Yet Spanish is still being used
as a political and demagogic weapon in the US, where it sometimes seems
that only English is understood and only what is said in English is
heard and seen.
Learning
and becoming fluent in English is essential to obtain success in the
U.S. It is a matter of common sense recognized by
both immigrants and natives. Equally, speaking a second language is a
powerful tool to stay competitive in the global economy. However, what
could be a virtue becomes a flaw, as presented in the Republican
presidential primary.
It
is fair to acknowledge the fact that the Republican National Committee,
as many of its members do, recognizes a politician’s
capacity to communicate in the language of the electorate and have his
or her message reach them effectively, especially if it is the size of
the Latino constituency.
While
candidate Jeb Bush’s bilingual capabilities should score points in his
favor – as when he responded in Spanish to a question
posed to him in that language, – he got a remark from Donald Trump
saying that Bush “should really set the example by speaking English
while in the United States.”
Trump’s
criticism is part of his strategy to relentlessly attack every step
taken by Bush, who is considered to be the preferred
presidential candidate among the GOP establishment. It also belongs to
the anti-immigrant message he is catering to a nativist, white base that
sees foreigners as the root of all evil. To these voters, the mere
mention of Spanish in this context refers them
to an idea of immigrants as people who refuse to learn English and who
wish to impose their culture on the U.S., a picture that awakens
nativist fear and resentment.
However,
the reality is very different. Schools teaching English to adults are
at full capacity serving the scores of immigrants
wanting to learn the language. As the percentage of Latinos who speak
English increases, data from the Pew Research Center and the Bureau of
the Census state that 8 of every 10 Latino youths speak both languages.
The
problem is that Trump is holding the reins at the Republican debates
and, aside from Bush, no other contender dares to contradict
such outbursts for fear of offending that sector of the Republican
base.
By
way of anti-immigrant stereotypes and backwards values such as
linguistic nationalism in the midst
of the globalization era, Trump’s stridency and his front-runner spot
at the primaries are obliterating the Republican goal of attracting
Latinos. But this raises questions about the future of the United States
as a global society where multicultural diversity
and the ability to understand, think and speak like others is a major
competitive advantage in globalization. Nationalism, whether linguistic
or based on exclusivity, have a place in the new world.
For more information, go to: www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com
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