official english legislation

[ANNE V. GILBERT]

Jordan:

> Absolutely horrible.
>
> How can anyone vote for this in good conscience?

They can't.  But there has been a movement for "English only" in this
country going back at least ten years, and it is mainly a response to
frustrations about recent immigrants.  Ironically, one of the first things
the immigrants --- almost without exception --- try to do is learn to
communicate in English.  But these bills are directed mainly at
Spanish-speaking communities in the Southwest, California, and elsewhere.
And they have a strong racist element.
Anne G