This story has gotten me pretty angry. When 'Nuestro Himno,' a Spanish version of the anthem, debuted last week, Bush said 'people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English'. To me, that is wrong on so many levels. What, we don't count people who speak Spanish as Americans, now? Since when does this country have English as its official language? (Since never, the United States does NOT have an official language.) Have we forgotten the beginnings of this country, its reputation as the great Melting Pot? We accepted people from all backgrounds, and we've embraced that mixed heritage, or so I thought. Why does it matter what language the song is in, if it expresses pride in America, just like the original? Like the original is actually in English anyway; who really says "o'er" anymore? A dispute over words is ridiculous, when obviously it's the FEELINGS that matter.
And Bush should really speak Spanish. He is from Texas.
Comments (4)
I'm from Texas.
El Hombre!
Posted by Dad | May 2, 2006 9:52 AM
Posted on May 2, 2006 09:52
Did anyone ever tell you the story of your Great-grandpa Laurence Koftan when he visited south Texas? They wanted to take him to visit Mexico, beings as they were so close, so they drove just across the Mexican border. I don't know whether they got out of the car and walked around or what, but of course all the people around were speaking Spanish, and Great-grandpa Koftan grumbled, half out loud, half to himself, "Damn furinners. Why don't they speak English?" Someone had to remind him that we were in THEIR country, so WE were the foreigners.
Maybe it all comes down to a matter of courtesy. When you're in someone else's country, you try to fit in and adapt to their way of living. And I'm just throwing this out there, with no backup data or anything, but it seems to me that English is the preferred speaking language of the majority of native-born Americans. Do you not agree?
However, it hardly seems tactful for someone in so public a position as Bush to be saying such things as he has said.
But then, maybe it's beCAUSE he's from Texas.
El Hombre, indeed.
Posted by Linda | May 2, 2006 12:51 PM
Posted on May 2, 2006 12:51
It could also have to do with the whole illegal immigrant dispute going on right now. Ya know, where we have a ton of people from Mexico that really aren't supposed to be here because the sneaky little boogers jumped the fence. Why should we conform the majority to a minority that is partially illegal? Although I say sing the national anthem in whatever language you want, as long as you know the meaning behind it.
Posted by Kristen | May 3, 2006 11:15 AM
Posted on May 3, 2006 11:15
I think everyone who wants to live in the good ole USA should speak English. I remember my grandparents had a hard time learning English but learn it, they did. My grandma Broders once sent my mother to the neighbors to borrow a haka. the neighbor lady didn't know German and they went looking thru cupboards and my mom would say no to every thing that was shown her. When they went outside she found a hoe and that was what she wanted. My mom and my Aunt Margaret used to talk to each other on the phone and they would use some German phrases and then would laugh as they probably couldn't say them exactly right anymore.
Posted by GrANDMA k | May 3, 2006 1:15 PM
Posted on May 3, 2006 13:15