As I sat reading this thread in response to Zdenko J. Bergl's Coming to America (Letters to the Editor in the Kansas City Star), I found myself riding the fence. Initially I felt from my family's own experiences that what Bergl was saying was true--why should one ethnic group change the way America is? How is this fair to other ethnicities who have taken the time to learn English? Yet simultaneously, my sympathies lay not with Bergl, but with immigrants in general and the struggle that is called "living in America".
Then I thought to myself, put yourself in the immigrants shoes--the modern ones that is. I'm sure someone can tell me their family's personal story of rags to riches that may prove otherwise, but I personally believe that post-WWII immigrants had more to work with than modern day immigrants on the basis of being West European (that in itself is another discussion). Not saying there wasn't racism towards both groups; however modern immigrants are concerned with the survival of their family: feeding, clothing, and housing them to the best of their abilities. This means menial jobs that require hours that most Americans wouldn't dream of working. This differs from post-WWII immigrants in degree of contemporary poverty levels--most modern immigrants would be in my opinion below the level of poverty corresponding to 1940’s immigrants.
And where in these priorities does learning a new language lie? It isn't a choice for them; they are too busy--whole families working in horrendous factory conditions--to learn a new language. Yes, perhaps their priorities are misguided, but poverty and starvation will always override any other action.
Yes…I know, I know—I feel like I can hear a thousand voices simultaneously shouting, “SO WHAT?! My family came to America and we learned English!” Yeah, and so did mine. But wouldn’t life have been a lot easier for yours and my families if someone had allowed us to retain our mother tongues, in order to survive everyday living? In order to give our sick children, proper doses of medication? In situations like the latter, if not for translations in Spanish we’d be talking about “Bad Parenting on the Rise in Hispanic Populations”—or something of the sort.
I think all I’m trying to say is have pity—tender mercy—upon others. Yes, it isn’t fair that we don’t have German, Italian, or Russian (and especially don’t have many African languages) translated all over America, but perhaps its better we don’t let history repeat itself. Perhaps we’re being progressive—so let progression occur in peace. One thread said what I feel best and I'll leave at that:
Then I thought to myself, put yourself in the immigrants shoes--the modern ones that is. I'm sure someone can tell me their family's personal story of rags to riches that may prove otherwise, but I personally believe that post-WWII immigrants had more to work with than modern day immigrants on the basis of being West European (that in itself is another discussion). Not saying there wasn't racism towards both groups; however modern immigrants are concerned with the survival of their family: feeding, clothing, and housing them to the best of their abilities. This means menial jobs that require hours that most Americans wouldn't dream of working. This differs from post-WWII immigrants in degree of contemporary poverty levels--most modern immigrants would be in my opinion below the level of poverty corresponding to 1940’s immigrants.
And where in these priorities does learning a new language lie? It isn't a choice for them; they are too busy--whole families working in horrendous factory conditions--to learn a new language. Yes, perhaps their priorities are misguided, but poverty and starvation will always override any other action.
Yes…I know, I know—I feel like I can hear a thousand voices simultaneously shouting, “SO WHAT?! My family came to America and we learned English!” Yeah, and so did mine. But wouldn’t life have been a lot easier for yours and my families if someone had allowed us to retain our mother tongues, in order to survive everyday living? In order to give our sick children, proper doses of medication? In situations like the latter, if not for translations in Spanish we’d be talking about “Bad Parenting on the Rise in Hispanic Populations”—or something of the sort.
I think all I’m trying to say is have pity—tender mercy—upon others. Yes, it isn’t fair that we don’t have German, Italian, or Russian (and especially don’t have many African languages) translated all over America, but perhaps its better we don’t let history repeat itself. Perhaps we’re being progressive—so let progression occur in peace. One thread said what I feel best and I'll leave at that:
"I see it somewhat differently. My grandparents were also from Sicily. My grandmother lived in an Italian enclave in New Jersey and spoke only Italian. My father spoke both English and Italian. And I speak only English. Give the Hispanic people three generations, and I suspect it will be the same for most of them. Why make a big deal about a problem time will solve?"
-"Joe Barone"
~1~
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2 comments:
You make a really fine point that for many immigrants, learning the local language isn't really a simple matter of choosing to do so! The difficulties in finding and maintaining often arduous work and supporting a family make it impossible for many to actually learn the language. Do you think the government has a responsibility to help legal immigrant workers learn the native tongue (if they desire to do so)? Would this type of legislation be productive? What are the risks?
Well written article.
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