I really appreciate everyone's feedback on my last post: people's comments were thoughtful and insightful. One main idea that my aunt Linda brought up, as did Kristen, was the idea of conforming to the social majority. But a few ideas might be considered. First, the mentality that non-Hispanic whites have been and will always be the majority. It is true that most of the population speaks English right now, but that could change. As of 2005, Texas' non-Hispanic white population made up less than 50%, with other Southwestern states experiencing similar demographic changes. If or when Hispanics become the majority, what will English-speakers do, if the Spanish-speaking majority decides to be as authoritarian and exclusive as their predecessors? They'd be screwed, because what goes around comes around.
Linda said that learning the language of the host country is a matter of courtesy. I do agree with this. If we say that English is the language of the US (even unofficially, even temporarily as I've discussed above), perhaps it's right that those who come to live or visit here should learn it. Americans are notoriously lacking in this regard as tourists, often loud and largely ignorant of local customs and languages. That aside, I don't think immigrants should have to give up their own native language and culture, even as they celebrate the new one. Nuestro Himno would be a way to universalize the praise of the US. If that's the purpose of a national anthem, I see no problem.
Second, and maybe this is my bleeding-heart liberal side showing, but what is so wrong with letting Mexicans (or Central or South Americans or Spaniards) in, in the first place? Why are people lobbying to build a big, stupid wall in between us? Illegal immigrants are only illegal because we say they are. They come here because they want to work here. What's so bad about that? Are we afraid they're going to take all our jobs? There might be some displacement at first, but I read an article in the Economist recently on this very subject. While a bigger labor supply might initially put downward pressure on wages, it also must be considered that most immigrants would be working in low-skill (and thus low-paying) sectors. Lower wages means that firms have money to invest elsewhere -- in building new factories, for example. And they need people to work in these factories. Labor demand adjusts, wages level out. Here's a graphical representation:
Third, people should be able to sing in any language they like: I believe freedom of speech covers singing, as well. While I don't think Bush is contesting this right, he has been making some inflammatory statements that could be construed this way by a few hot heads.
I'm aware that this jumps from one facet of the argument to another, kind of unrelated. If you guys see any holes in my arguments or just want to shout back more, I'd be delighted to read more stories about hakas and furriners (thanks Grandma and Linda).
