Retain your cultural heritage--it is important. Learn to speak English because that is the common language of the USA. People want to live here for some reason and that reason should be sufficient to want to become an American by assimilating. Prior to the heavy increase in Spanish speaking immigrants it was expected that English would become the
second language of immigrants. My forebearers learned even though German was spoken at home. Irish, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese all learned thre common language in order to become truly American
Pat in NC | Homepage | 10.18.05 - 7:02 pm | #

Hello again, my friend - been a few weeks!

Great article, as always. I am always struck by your positive attitude, and when you criticize immigrants who have attempted to assimilate or learn English, you generally point out why that is....as in this case, in California it is HARDLY NECESSARY.

Having said that, many Americans who go abroad are guilty of the same attitudes - because they find that English is spoken pretty much everywhere. Fine for when you visit, but I would still encourage folks to learn the language if you live there for any length of time. It helps in so many ways, not least of which it helps you understand the people!

Come back and visit again some time, Josue!
Timmer ~ Righting America | Homepage | 10.18.05 - 8:15 pm | #

Are the 'ChinaTowns' around the country any different. Why should anyone be surprised then when another group comes over here and retains their culture? Time will be the factor here as the children and children's children will inheret the culture of Norte America.
Latino Pundit | Homepage | 10.19.05 - 8:34 am | #

I agree with you that learning English is important not only to the vitality of an individual in this country, but also the cohesion of this country.

That being said. I can't count the number of friends I have had that have lived and worked in foreign countries (mainly Europe) and never bothered to learn the language.
dingo | Homepage | 10.19.05 - 8:37 am | #

I think cultural enclaves, like a China town, or little Italy, or Pequeña Havana can provide a transition place for immigrants in the process of assmilation. The problem is when they get stuck there.

I highly recomend the movie Spanglish. It illustrates the challenges and reality of assimilation--the good and the bad.
Josue Sierra | Homepage | 10.19.05 - 9:20 am | #

I may be automatically biased against your post, Josue, simply because of the fact you willingly label yourself "conservative". But it seems to me, that there is a bit of unnecessary groveling here to a mythical "American culture".

America is a land of opportunity, not always because of those American-born people who came before, but oftentimes despite them. America is a land of opportunity for many complicated reasons, including a strong corporate finance core (American stock market), land which was re-appropriated from Native Americans, respect for a system of laws, Puritan values, an influx of the smartest and hardest working professionals from Europe and Latin America for decades, and the list goes on and on...

But we live in a dynamic world. You can't spend your life looking back. You have to know the past, but look to the future, build your own American dream. And if the culture in your hogar is warmer than that which is across the street, you keep it. If the language you use in your business and you use when you watch TV is more poetic, and more expressive, why discard it for another?

Because you think we should be stuck to the past and cannot look toward the future?
Jerome Wiley Segovia | Homepage | 10.19.05 - 9:46 am | #

In no way am I saying "stay stuck to your past." Actually, I advocate the opposite. But, for a people to move forward into a better future, you must know your past.

The past has a lot to teach--good and bad. To keep a knowledge of my culture only ads knowledge, whcih I use as I learn, grow, and take on all those opportunities America has to offer.
Josue Sierra | Homepage | 10.19.05 - 11:06 am | #

Abuela is a perfect example! lol!
NEVER learned to speak a word of English after living in Miami for so long...

I agree with learning the language of the country you live in... whether here in the USA or anywere else.
JJ | Homepage | 10.19.05 - 12:27 pm | #

In California, as in any state in the union, English is a language of great importance to learn! Anybody who denies this, is not living in the real world. Bilingual Ed in California was voted out by the voters and now they will probably find another proposition that will have to be voted on regarding the 'dual language' idioticy that is now in use in some school throughout the state. It was proven that bilingual ed caused too many latinos to drop-out of school in this state. Since it was eradicated, the number of drop-outs has decreased and more and more latinos are enrolling in college. If this 'dual language' mentality continues, we will see many dropping out of school again. For those who think that english is not important in this country, they will be in for a big surprise when they find themselves not able to progress for lack of good english skills.
LaLinda | 10.19.05 - 6:52 pm | #

Great comments LaLinda. This is one of the many strong arguments against bilingual education. It is a diservice to the immigrant community and a huge barrier to assimilation.
Josue Sierra | Homepage | 10.20.05 - 8:46 am | #

Illegal aliens have always been a problem in America. Just ask any native Indian.

California seems to me to be an exception in language. I liken it to Quebec with French. California was heavy populated by Mexicans before it was handed over to the U.S., so there is a lot of Spanish history, culture and language.
I also don't agree with bi-lingual teaching in our schools.
BJC | 10.20.05 - 1:35 pm | #

Why do many insist that one has to give up their culture simply because this country prefers assimilation??? Why can't we have the best of both/all worlds? If becoming proficient in English is going to improve MY plight and maintaining my culture will also, where is the dang problema??? Why do so many of you think you have to make a choice? For pete's sake, stop with the mentality of division. It's not US against THEM nor THEM against US. Am I missing something here??? And this thing that 'we were here first' or the one about 'what THEY did to the native americans' does NOT pertain to ME! I was NOT here first nor did I do anything to the native americans so spare me the guilt trip!
LaLinda | 10.24.05 - 1:23 pm | #