English-Only Law Speaks Of Prejudice
On the surface, approval of an English-only resolution by Kootenai County commissioners last week appears harmless. A confirmation of North Idaho’s status quo. But it isn’t.
It’s a cruel action that smacks of the racist, nativist movements of yesteryear that hounded the Irish, Yiddish, Germans, immigrant women, Native Americans, Japanese, southern Europeans and even Finns.
That Commissioners Dick Compton and Dick Panabaker didn’t see a “need” for the resolution, yet voted for it to appease Commissioner Ron Rankin, raises questions about their leadership. That the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations didn’t react to Rankin’s resolution until it was a fait accompli makes us wonder if that once-proud organization is in decline.
This resolution needs to be rescinded now. It’s a slap at recent immigrants who have settled in the Inland Northwest and are struggling to learn our language and ways. It’s divisive. It reinforces our image as a haven for racists.
Consider the hurt it already has caused.
Antonio Arana, a native of Mexico who works at the Harper’s plant in Post Falls, told this newspaper that the commissioners’ ruling “makes me feel bad. They have something against people who speak other languages.”
Hyekyong Schrom, who learned English in her native South Korea, believes Rankin is trying to erase what little diversity this area has. Said she: “This discourages other cultures.”
For some reason, settled immigrants and their offspring routinely have thought new arrivals were slackers. That they didn’t pick up our language and culture fast enough. That they weren’t willing to assimilate. None of this is true.
In an independent survey, 98 percent of Latino parents said they felt it was essential for their children to read and write English perfectly. Latinos, Asians and other recent immigrants line up and fill waiting lists for adult English classes.
In the past, English-only barriers were erected as conditions for public employment, naturalization, immigration and suffrage. Rankin introduced his dastardly resolution in the name of tax savings. He doesn’t want Kootenai County wasting money printing multicultural election ballots.
Good thing the Continental Congress wasn’t as small-minded as Rankin. Our forefathers printed a number of documents, including the Articles of Confederation, in German for the benefit of nonEnglish speaking patriots.
English-only supporters argue that a common language binds us together. But the real bond, as Edward M. Chen of the American Civil Liberties Union points out, is “our shared belief and commitment to democracy, freedom and equality of opportunity.”
, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria/For the editorial board