Unit 4 Blog Post
So far, many issues have arisen in chapter four that seem very one-sided. Part of our RCG course is to take in a wider look at the issue, and look at both sides to it. When reading about the Tennessee Judge telling immigrant mothers to "learn English, or else", I thought about how I didn't agree with the Judge and that the government has no authority to make such a demand. I decided to analyze this closer and look at both sides to the issue. Many people are afraid that English will become a second language in the United States over the years, as more and more immigrants come to the country. But isn't the United States a place where people come to, to feel freedom in their speech? On the other hand, if children don't learn english, the question of 'would they have a successful life in the United States' plays in. There is another issue that derives from this and that is, what is the definition of success? And, is it the same for everyone? I have a really close personal connection to this issue. My pre-school school was unwilling to accept me since spanish was my first language and English came second. This was a well-rounded Jewish school with amazing academic programs that my parents really wanted me to attend. My mom had to teach me the basics of the English language before most of the kids knew how to speak it themselves, just because English wasn't my first language. As a mother, my mom felt a lot of pressure because she had this pre-conceived notion that she wanted her daughter to be the best and the most successful so this is the route she had to take. Was it fair? I think it was beneficiary to me. I have taken honors English for a long time, as it is one of my favorite subjects. I feel this is an ongoing issue that will become more of a "big deal" as the United States starts to become more overpopulated with people who speak English as a second language.
