Many Americans ascribe to the belief that America represents a “melting pot” of cultures. With so many differing cultures in this country, America would be expected to have a high bilingual population and large support for bilinguals’ rights. However, America is only about 20% bilingual (source). This low bilingual percentage accounts for Americans’ general lack of empathy for bilingual people and their rights. Two bilingual authors, Martin Espada and Richard Rodriguez, portray contrasting perspectives about the issue of bilingualism in America by addressing the meaning of bilingualism, bilingual education, and discrimination against bilinguals.
Martin Espada, author of the essay The New Bathroom Policy at English High School, believes that …show more content…
Espada explains the case of California’s Proposition 187, which according to Espada “would prevent immigrants from receiving basic human services, such as education and health care” (13). Legislature such as Proposition 187 attempts to deny bilinguals access to education and is part of a broader assault on bilingual’s basic rights as Americans. Espada also argues that English-speaking Americans commit acts of cultural aggression against bilinguals in order to recognize English as the most important language in America. When Espada encounters a man expressing hateful views towards the Spanish language, he writes, “The man… was only expressing the same idea… as were those legislators inside the State House who were attempting to make English the official language of Massachusetts, which would then serve as the foundation for legal discrimination against Spanish and against Latinos” (7). This attempt to recognize English as Massachusetts’ official language demeans people who speak other languages and suggests that English is more important than the variety of other languages and cultures present …show more content…
Discrimination against bilinguals manifests in the issue of bilingual education. I support bilingual education and access to it. Lack of access to bilingual education inhibits bilinguals’ ability to learn. I agree with Espada’s position to teach bilinguals in the language they prefer because doing so grants bilinguals a more equal access to education as English speakers. Providing bilinguals with a more equal access to education is essential in bilinguals’ battle for equality. While Rodriguez speaks from his personal experience about bilingual education, his experience can not be extrapolated to all bilingual people. Espada’s arguments focus more on fairness and justice for bilingual people as a
Martin Espada, author of the essay The New Bathroom Policy at English High School, believes that …show more content…
Espada explains the case of California’s Proposition 187, which according to Espada “would prevent immigrants from receiving basic human services, such as education and health care” (13). Legislature such as Proposition 187 attempts to deny bilinguals access to education and is part of a broader assault on bilingual’s basic rights as Americans. Espada also argues that English-speaking Americans commit acts of cultural aggression against bilinguals in order to recognize English as the most important language in America. When Espada encounters a man expressing hateful views towards the Spanish language, he writes, “The man… was only expressing the same idea… as were those legislators inside the State House who were attempting to make English the official language of Massachusetts, which would then serve as the foundation for legal discrimination against Spanish and against Latinos” (7). This attempt to recognize English as Massachusetts’ official language demeans people who speak other languages and suggests that English is more important than the variety of other languages and cultures present …show more content…
Discrimination against bilinguals manifests in the issue of bilingual education. I support bilingual education and access to it. Lack of access to bilingual education inhibits bilinguals’ ability to learn. I agree with Espada’s position to teach bilinguals in the language they prefer because doing so grants bilinguals a more equal access to education as English speakers. Providing bilinguals with a more equal access to education is essential in bilinguals’ battle for equality. While Rodriguez speaks from his personal experience about bilingual education, his experience can not be extrapolated to all bilingual people. Espada’s arguments focus more on fairness and justice for bilingual people as a