Testimonials

Growing up in North Florida, in Jacksonville, I never fully realized the extent of the changes to South Florida (Miami) until my move there in August of 2000. It is my belief that the Spanish-only speakers here are disenabled not to speak English. 

It so very sad that companies of all sizes have decided to use Spanish advertisements. Realizing that they too must attract their various customer bases and target their markets, however, by NOT using English only advertisements, they in fact, disenabled these people to not speak this language. In other words, why should the Spanish-only speakers have to learn the language because as long as they stay within Miami-Dade County they DON'T HAVE TO speak English. Billboards on the Palmetto are printed in Spanish. There simply are too many establishments who hire Spanish only workers. There are too many places in town where Spanish only speakers can complete their everyday business and never have to mutter a word of English. 

In fact, my own personal mother-in law and her mother both have lived in this County for well over 30 YEARS and DO NOT speak English. My mother-in-law works for a nationally known children's clothing store and because it is located on Bird Road she doesn't have to use any English to carry out her job. I think this example alone proves the disenabling point. 

Not speaking English means many things. For one, this will mean that this group of people will inevitably have to stay in South Florida and will not be able to maintain the same lifestyle should they wish to venture thought out our country. The migration of the Cuban people will only take place once they realize they MUST learn ENGLISH. Secondly, it divides the city into what can sometimes become dangerous misconceptions. Third, By not learning English, many professionals, businesses, and otherwise frustrated English only speaking parties have been leaving the area in droves. I for one will be joining them very soon as I find it extremely upsetting that as a person with 2 Master's degree's that I am frequently told that I need to speak Spanish to be hirable this town.

P.S., Florida

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