Newt: immigrant languages are "ghetto"

[fushigi]

Gingrich decries bilingual education - Boston.com

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich equated bilingual education Saturday with "the language of living in a ghetto" and mocked requirements that ballots be printed in multiple languages. "The government should quit mandating that various documents be printed in any one of 700 languages depending on who randomly shows up" to vote, said Gingrich, who is considering seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. He made the comments in a speech to the National Federation of Republican Women.

Nice.

Although actually I agree with him that Americans should learn English - and immersion is the best method - could he be any more racist?

"The American people believe English should be the official language of the government. ... We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto," Gingrich said to cheers from the crowd of more than 100.

[Compugasm]

What part is racist?

[fushigi]

Quote by: Compugasm What part is racist?

Um, the part where he says Spanish is the language of the ghetto?

[Compugasm]

Oh. I didn't read the source article.

[GHook93]

Quote by: fushigi Gingrich decries bilingual education - Boston.comNice. Although actually I agree with him that Americans should learn English - and immersion is the best method - could he be any more racist?

I agree what a horrible way of putting it. He came off as a racist, when he has a valid point. There was a story on CNN last night and it was great. Bilingual education should not be taught in American classroom.

[tman_ndsu08]

Not in public schools, that is.


If you want to pay for such a thing, you're welcome.

[brien]

A very good example of a message being overshadowed by the messenger. As far as foreign languages being present in the voting booth, where does it end? Does the USA need to mandate that every minority in the country be accomodated in their native tongue in the voting booth? Absurd.

I agree with the concept of learning the language in order to vote. How does one become informed if they can't read or write English? Oh, they can tune into the media that prints or broadcasts in their native tongue, but that is a secondary source as compared to listening to the candidates themselves as in debates. The bigger question here is why would politicians want people to vote who can't speak the language? Answer this and perhaps you will understand why there is support for bilingual ballots.

[fushigi]

Quote by: brien A very good example of a message being overshadowed by the messenger. As far as foreign languages being present in the voting booth, where does it end? Does the USA need to mandate that every minority in the country be accomodated in their native tongue in the voting booth? Absurd.

Damn skippy.

In fact, you could say it was racist NOT to demand kids learn English - as if saying they lacked the mental capacity to do so because of some racial disadvantage.

I remember reading somewhere that Americans who can't speak English have an income that's something like 60% of those who can. Can't find it now, but I did find this:

High-level Hispanic executives use English more than Spanish

[fushigi]

Update:

This past weekend I made some comments that I recognize caused a bad feeling within the Latino community. My word choice was poor but my point was simply this: In the United States it is important to speak the English language well in order to advance and have success.

Little bit late for that. Nice going, buddy - ask any of the Bushes where they'd be now if they'd alienated their entire Hispanic voter base.

It'd be like Obama saying Ebonix makes people sound stupid. Accurate? Maybe. Politically suicidal? Absolutely.

[Hmm]

I believe that there is no official language of the United States, is there not?

[Compugasm]

Quote by: Hmm I believe that there is no official language of the United States, is there not?

[sigh] Hi, welcome back at square one.

[republicantiger]

way to go newt. i cant stand the catering to of people who refuse to assimilate themselves into american society. If these people don't want to learn english they can go right back to where they came from.

[DEEJ85]

I think we should distinguish between two actions.

discriminating or ostracizing people that cannot or have trouble speaking english but have the intentions of learning.

and

People that do not speak English, are not even trying to learn it or adapt to our culture, and expect us to adapt fully to theirs.

[Amolibri]

This whole "official language" issue is a bunch of BS. ENGLISH is and always has been/will be the US language! DUH! Those who emigrate here DO want to learn English! It's their way of succeeding here. All they are looking for is an opportunity to earn a living and provide for their families. Making them villains will not solve anything! They are exploited day in and day out by employers...THAT's who needs regulation.

[Slevin57]

I think he actually meant the languages in the respective countries.. Since he obviously believes the only people that come to America are poor.

Perhaps we should join him to go beat the Irish after the next debate.

[fushigi]

Quote by: republicantiger way to go newt. i cant stand the catering to of people who refuse to assimilate themselves into american society. If these people don't want to learn english they can go right back to where they came from.

I agree that they should learn English--for their own good as well as the country. Of course, I don't think we should discriminate against people who can't speak good English. (Heh, if China did that 90% of the foreigners who live here would get kicked out.)

However, saying that Spanish is the language of "the ghetto" is just not smart. For one, Spanish is spoken in--erm, Spain--a developed European country. For another, it's offensive to Americans whose native language is Spanish, of which we have 45 million. (Not that being offensive is all that bad, but as a potential future president, I'd hope he doesn't alienate 15% of the population.)