I agree with Anzaldúa’s claim that denying a group their language
is a violation of the first amendment. No matter what language is spoken
respect should still be given towards the individual. Most people might feel
uncomfortable around people that speak a different language around them because
they feel a huge barrier between them and the other person. I was alarmed when Anzaldúa’s Anglo teacher said “If you want to be
American, speak ‘American.’ If you don’t like it, go back to Mexico where you
belong.” My first reaction when reading this was that her teacher was being
inconsiderate. I’ve witnessed situations like this first hand and I've felt
super sympathetic towards the victims in cases like Anzaldúa’s.
I also agree with Anzaldúa’s claim that denying a group their
language is an act of violence. Violence is defined by strength of emotion or
an unpleasant or destructive natural force. Denying a group their language is
damaging to their emotions and ability to feel at ease. Without freely being
able to speak your home language in the privacy of your school or around
friends is detrimental to maintaining your roots. Anzaldúa
had many problems with this throughout this passage because she was brought up
thinking that her language was wrong and that in order to fit in she needed to
act as an “American”. As a result of her childhood she became prideful of being
Chicano and believes that her race is “preserving, impenetrable as stone, yet
possessing a malleability that renders us unbreakable.”
I agree and disagree with you. I agree that people should not be told that their language shouldn't be spoken or denied, but I do believe that there should only be one language spoken in America, if not for the sole purpose of understanding each other and able to get jobs done with more ease. I believe that people can speak whatever language they like, at home or with friends, but need to understand English so that we all have one unifying language. Most other countries to become a citizen you have to learn the language and the history, but for America we try to accommodate all and run into many problems along the way. I am not saying that the teacher was right with what she said, because she wasn't right to tell him that, it was rude, but why should America be different when becoming a citizen than any other country? We can still be the land of the free with one language being the language we all speak and understand. They still have the “freedom of speech” even with a unifying language. They can still use it at home with friends with anyone but I think that we should all be able to understand each other and able to work with each other without a language problem. Again, I am repeating myself I am not saying that they can’t speak their language I am just saying we should all have a unifying language to have basic understanding with each other.
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