Letter to the Editor: Official English movement is not racist
U.S. English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica submitted the following letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun, responding to a news story they published perpetuating false beliefs about the movement to make English the official language of the United States.
March 16, 2012
To the Editor:
As an immigrant who supports the unifying role of the English language, I am deeply offended at the way in which the Baltimore Sun presented a recent “news” story detailing what was twice referred to as “racist” legislation to make English the official language of certain county governments in Maryland. The piece was strong with antagonistic undertones, serving only to perpetuate false beliefs about the Official English movement.
The mission of the Official English movement is simple: to create a national language policy with English as our common language, to ensure effective communication, equality of opportunity and national stability and unity. The movement does not have an underlying political message. It does not impact the freedom of individuals to choose the language they speak on a daily basis. It is simply meant to ensure that immigrants are placed on equal footing to reach the economic level of native English speakers.
Currently, if more than five percent of a voting-age population speaks a particular foreign language, localities are required by law to print voting ballots in that language. Rather than perpetuating this culture of exclusion, Official English leaves citizens with the ability to speak whatever language they choose—but sends the message that in order to fully participate in American society, you must speak English.
Sincerely,
Mauro E. Mujica
Chairman
U.S. English, Inc.
NOTE: To read Chairman Mujica's letter on the Baltimore Sun's website, please click here. To read the original news story, "Maryland counties seek to make English official language," please click here.
U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. () now has more than 1.8 million members.