Kansas: English-only lawsuit underway

Wed Aug 13 18:37:18 UTC 2008

Not just in Kansas anymore. The comments left on the TV station web  
site are typical sentiments when these issues surface on the web --  
and in addition, the supporters of English only policies often write  
their rants in English that's, to be charitable, a bit too unedited  
considering the point they're making.

DB
____________________
Dennis Baron
Professor of English and Linguistics
Department of English
University of Illinois
608 S. Wright St.
Urbana, IL 61801

office: 217-244-0568
fax: 217-333-4321

http://illinois.edu/goto/debaron

read the Web of Language:
http://illinois.edu/goto/weboflanguage

On Aug 13, 2008, at 11:44 AM, Robert Lawless wrote:

> The comments are a sad reflection on Kansas.
>
> Harold Schiffman wrote:
>> English-only lawsuit underway
>> By Jessica Oakley
>>
>>
>>
>> Story Updated: Aug 12, 2008 at 7:33 PM CDT
>>
>> WICHITA, Kansas, August 12, 2008 – An English-only policy for
>> students, implemented by the Catholic Diocese of Wichita at one of  
>> its
>> schools, is the subject of a lawsuit that got underway in Federal
>> Court Tuesday.
>>
>>
>> A total of three sets of parents have filed suit against the Catholic
>> Diocese of Wichita saying the English-only policy implemented at St.
>> Anne Catholic School in south Wichita violates their children's civil
>> rights. The Diocese maintains the policy had to be implemented  
>> because
>> the students involved with this lawsuit were making fun of other kids
>> in Spanish. Adam Silva, 11, one of the children involved with this
>> suit took the witness stand.  His parents say he was kicked out of  
>> St.
>> Anne last fall for refusing to sign the English-only policy.
>>
>> During his testimony, Adam got so emotional while discussing the
>> discrimination he claims he faced for speaking Spanish, the judge
>> ordered a recess.
>>
>> Clara Silva, Adam's mother, also testified.  She got very emotional,
>> especially when discussing a hate-filled email she says was written  
>> by
>> a student at St. Anne's and circulated around the school.  She says
>> the email told Hispanic students to go back where they came from if
>> they didn't like the English-only policy.
>>
>> The Diocese strongly maintains this is not a malicious policy, only
>> one designed to prevent bullying.
>>
>> More testimony from children involved in the lawsuit is expected  
>> Wednesday.
>>
>> Mary Lou:  I think the English only in the school should be upheld,
>> but I feel that the school should be working on bullying by English
>> speaking students as well as Spanish speaking students. Cindy:  About
>> the Catholic church lawsuit - unless those Spanish speaking kids are
>> in Spanish class, they need to speak English.........this is America
>> and our official language is English.
>>
>> Sheryl & Ron, Salina:   We believe that if you want to live in  
>> America
>> you should speak the English in our school. We don't under stand why
>> our country should bow down to speaking Spanish everywhere; their
>> country sure wouldn't do the same for us if we lived there.
>>
>> Marty, Oxford:  I find it kind of ironic that the Catholic Church
>> takes a one-language policy when so much of the religion is based in
>> Latin....The whole outfit needs to get with the program. We're not a
>> one language society.  It seems ironic that so much of the church is
>> based on another language and then they take this English-only
>> approach.
>>
>> Anonymous:  If English speaking people visit Mexico we are expected  
>> to
>> either learn their language or use a translator. Why should it be any
>> different for them when they come to the United States? It's unfair
>> that Spanish speaking people can degrade English only speaking people
>> just because we don't know their language. We were here first! Learn
>> our language and use it to communicate with us or go back to a  
>> Spanish
>> speaking country.
>>
>> Cori:  I happen to agree with the Catholic school's decision about
>> English-only. The boy that took the stand today speaks English as a
>> FIRST language, and Spanish as a second language. Bullying comes in
>> many forms, and the school's decision to stop bullying in another
>> language was a smart one. If the students can speak English, then  
>> they
>> should have no problem with the rule.
>>
>> Neal: I believe that the English only policy should be held because  
>> of
>> the fact that this is the USA and if you want to speak Spanish go to
>> Mexico.
>>
>> Gloria:  English should be the main language spoken in the US and our
>> schools. I think it is great to be fluent in other languages, but
>> English should be the US and we should be proud to speak it.
>>
>> Sue, Wichita:  I feel that all schools should have only English
>> spoken.  It is time for all to remember that this is America and we
>> should only speak English.  They can speak Spanish at home.
>>
>> Linda, Wichita:  More school districts and businesses should follow
>> suit and apply English only policies. This is the United States and
>> the language is English. you go to any other country to live & work
>> and you learn to speak their language or you don't work...tell them  
>> to
>> get over it and speak English.
>>
>> Misty: Absolutely the diocese should uphold the English only rule! My
>> mother-in-law came here from France not knowing a word of English.  
>> The
>> very first thing she did was learn the language of our country. She
>> was proud to be here and proud to learn the language. Anyone who  
>> comes
>> here and doesn't want to or feel they need to learn to speak English
>> should exercise another of our American freedoms and go back to the
>> country that they are proud to speak the language of!! God Bless
>> America!!!
>>
>> Jenny, Otis: It's a private school and the private schools should be
>> able to set their guidelines and if you want to send your child
>> there.....follow the guidelines! I wish our US public schools would  
>> do
>> this to.  Want a foreign language class?  Offering Spanish, French  
>> and
>> German is common; I guess they could offer English for those that  
>> wish
>> to learn English.
>>
>> Cindy, Wichita:  I agree with the Catholic Diocese of Wichita and
>> their stand on the English Only Policy.
>>
>> Hugh & Terry:  English only.
>>
>> Anne, Wichita:  I agree with St Anne's, this is the United States,  
>> AND
>> a private school where we speak English.  The teachers who watch  
>> these
>> kids at recess, on Church property should not have to learn Spanish  
>> to
>> know that the kids aren't planning a shooting.
>>
>> Amanda, Valley Center:  As long as you live in America, I believe  
>> that
>> you should learn the English language and I agree with the school of
>> having an English only policy. In other countries you are expected to
>> learn their language and there are no exceptions, it should be the
>> same here. Besides you don't know what they are saying and for all  
>> you
>> know they could be talking bad about another student.
>>
>> Cora, Wichita:  I agree with the Catholic Diocese of Wichita and  
>> their
>> stand on the English Only Policy.
>>
>> Steve, Pratt:  I thought we had separation of Church and State? Why
>> should the "Government" tell any Church what policies it can or can
>> not have? If the Government wins this, should the file suit for  
>> prayer
>> in public school???
>>
>> Dave, Hill City:  I think it's about time someone has the guts to
>> enforce a policy like this. English always has been and should always
>> be the one and only language recognized in this country. What  
>> language
>> people want to speak in the privacy of their own homes is their own
>> business, but any other language besides English in any establishment
>> be it public or private should not be allowed. It only serves to
>> segregate people and promote racial intolerance.
>>
>> Janet:  I think that people in American should speak English.  People
>> in Mexico should speak Spanish.  It's that simple.
>>
>> Cecil, Wichita:  This is an English speaking country and in public or
>> school English should be spoken.
>>
>> Shirley, Wichita:  This is a private school and as such certainly has
>> every right to set their rules. If the rule is "English only" spoken
>> within the total school arena, inside, outside and any school
>> sponsored function, then that is the rule. Period. We live in a
>> society where the rules are all for someone else. If the
>> parents/students don't like the rules, go somewhere else. This  
>> isn't a
>> moral right or wrong issue. It is a private school with the rules of
>> the school.
>>
>> Carolyn, Wichita:  I hope St. Anne school continues with the 'English
>> only' policy during school hours.
>>
>> Nancy, Wichita:  I can't imagine why the Hispanic parents think there
>> is anything alright about their children, 6th graders (not toddlers),
>> to denigrate other children in Hispanic or in English.  I also cannot
>> understand why Hispanic people think everyone should learn their
>> language and allow them to be here indefinitely without learning our
>> language.  I wouldn't go to any other country expecting them to do
>> that for me.  It seems to me that in the good old days people who
>> immigrated to our country had to learn the language, know the  
>> history,
>> know the constitution, pass a test, and pledge allegiance to this
>> country to become a citizen, work here and take advantage of all the
>> social services.  What happened to that policy?
>>
>> H.D.:  Good evening, if I recall right a few years back Congress
>> declared English the official language of this country, that to me
>> means that when the Spanish or any other foreign speaking people step
>> out of their house or their car, it's English or keep your mouth  
>> shut.
>> Any more when I go to the store I feel I'm in a foreign country,
>> because I can't understand half of what is being said around me and
>> it's time for it to stop. So yes the school is right to expect them  
>> to
>> learn the language of this land and more power to em.
>>
>> Vicki:  In regards to the Catholic church having an English only
>> policy I think it is great. I am tired of our country bending over
>> backwards to Spanish people. In all the years of immigrants coming to
>> this country we have never had to change our language to accommodate
>> them. If you come to this country learn English like everyone before
>> you had to. I think the church should have the right to decide what  
>> is
>> spoke within their walls.
>>
>> Barbara:  The school is a Catholic school and had first amendment
>> rights not controlled by the government. If they believe that it is
>> important for their students to speak English so they can become
>> successful members of the community then they have that right. If the
>> parents do not like it they can send them to public school where they
>> can speak their language and become a citizen that can not work at a
>> good job. This country was built by immigrants that knew that to be
>> useful and to succeed they needed to become an English speaking  
>> member
>> of the community. My father was taught English by his brother and
>> sisters so when it started school he would be able to success in
>> school. We kept our German tradition at home but did not expect our
>> neighbors to speak German to us but English.  I think that our  
>> Spanish
>> speaking families need to grow up and realize that they are in the US
>> where we speak English not in Mexico.
>>
>> Anonymous, Wichita:  The school did the right thing. They made the
>> rule in response to a problem created by the Spanish speaking
>> children.  The teachers and principal are responsible for what  
>> happens
>> in the school. If they can't understand what the students are saying
>> because the students are speaking a foreign language, then they can't
>> do their jobs.  Also they need to use English more so that they can
>> become more at ease with it and be better able to communicate with
>> others. This is also a private school and you are not forced to go
>> there. As far as the children becoming emotionally distraught I have
>> no doubt that most of it was because the parents put them between a
>> rock and hard place. Instead of teaching their children that there  
>> are
>> rules to be followed and wanting their children to be better able to
>> communicate in this society they chose to teach them that rules are
>> for somebody else and that you don't need to learn how to communicate
>> in English.  The parents are wrong.
>>
>> Jewell, Wichita: This is America-We speak English here-If they don't
>> like it, go to a "Spanish-Only" school! After all, we don't go to
>> Mexico (or anywhere else) and expect them to change everything for  
>> us!
>>
>> Mark, Wichita: The Catholic school has every right to have an English
>> only policy at school (it is The United States).  If bi-lingual kids
>> want to speak Spanish, that is what after school, the weekend and  
>> home
>> is for.  Other bi-lingual kids (in something other than Spanish)  
>> speak
>> their language at home and aren't suing the Catholic Church or school
>> system.
>>
>>
>> http://www.ksn.com/news/local/26886649.html
>>
>>
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>>
>
> <robert_lawless.vcf>

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