Texas Democrat Gubernatorial Debate is Political Pandering at Highest Level
Statement by U.S. ENGLISH Chairman and CEO Mauro E. Mujica
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As an immigrant from Chile, I must express outrage
at the political debate between Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidates
Dan Morales and Tony Sanchez who appeared on local television last night
speaking in both Spanish and English. By speaking in Spanish for a full
hour of the debate, were Messrs. Morales and Sanchez saying that Spanish
is equal to English in this great nation called the United States?
This is political pandering of the highest level. If these candidates
are so worried about all Texas voters they should conduct their debate
in all 170 languages other than English that are spoken today throughout
the Lone Star State. Why, for example, do these gentlemen think that
Spanish should be put ahead of Afrikaans, Hindi, Tagalog, Japanese or
Slovak - all languages spoken in Texas? Don't citizens other than
Mexican-Americans rate with these candidates? Aren't their votes
important to them?
For those of us living in the United States, which the last time I checked
included the state of Texas, a firm grasp of English, our country's shared
language, enhances our mobility, betters our chances to improve our lives
by finding better jobs, getting an education, and knowing our legal rights
and limitations.
A poll released by U.S. ENGLISH last month, in fact, showed that majorities
of Americans - a full 84 percent - want English to be the official language
of our country. These Americans understand that the English language acts
as our cultural glue. It has the power to put all people living in this
country on the same level playing field, giving them equal opportunity
for success.
Unfortunately for Texans, these two candidates are living in their own world,
where they see Texas divided as two separate nations unto itself - the Mexican
nation, and the American nation. Rather than catering to the public-at-large,
Morales and Sanchez are fine-tuning their abilities as 'professional Hispanics.'
Having important political debates in Spanish sends several destructive messages
to the people of Texas. First, it tells the Spanish-speaking population that
English isn't important, which weakens their incentive to learn our common
language. Second, it says that other ethnic groups living in the state aren't
as important as Mexican-Americans, the group the candidates are currently courting.
Third, it is more segregative than it is tolerant, and builds walls between those
who speak Spanish and those who do not. A government policy that lessens
the importance of English and promotes multilingualism is a wolf in sheep's
clothing - it does immigrants no favors, despite its attractive packaging.
In this age of diversity, speaking a common language: English, is a symbol of
our unity much like the flag and the Declaration of Independence. We sincerely h
ope that Messrs. Morales and Sanchez remember that our shared language, English,
is what cements us together as citizens and residents of the same land.
U.S.ENGLISH is the nation's oldest and
largest 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 now has more than 1.5 million
members nationwide, and approximately 93,000 members in
Texas .
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