"THE TRUTH"

BY: FOREST LEWIS, PH.D.

FRIENDS OF "THE TRUTH"

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Are you like me, after purchasing an item, you look for the instructions on how to operate the darn thing, but, you encounter a language problem. That language problem is "Spanish".

It seems that everything that we "As Americans" buy today, is in Spanish. The last time that I checked, this was still the United States of America, not Spain, Puerto Rico, Panama, etc. Yet, we are being forced to assimilate within the Hispanic culture, not the other way around. This galls the hell out of me.

I speak Castilian Spanish. This is like speaking the "King's English". Nonetheless, I have been finding myself asking, if we as Americans went to Spain, would that European country make life easier for us by placing everything from television viewing to items that we purchase, in english? I rather doubt it. So, why are business leaders in this country selling out America?

I know, it has to do with filthy lucre. However, when the Italian and Polish people came to America, they had to learn english. There were no special priviledges accorded to them. The same thing happened to every other ethnic group, save, Hispanics.

These people will never assimilate into "AMERICA'S MELTING POT," as long as Hispanics make life similar to their native countries. Each morning, I watch "Despierta America". Loosely translated, Despierta America means, "Wake Up America". It's like the english version of, "Good Morning America, aired on ABC. The four hosts of Despierta America are "American Citizens ". They appear to be nice people. However, their english is "Atrocious". I have watched this show for years. Yet, the hosts ability to speak english has not improved one iota.

Why should they learn how to speak english when everything is given to them on a silver platter. Stores accomodate them. And cable and DirectTV are there at their beck and call: providing them with information in their native tongue.

These folks remind me of many inner city blacks who bastardize American English. If and when they are in a group of intellects, who happen to speak flawless english, they will be embarassed, to say the least. Enough said for the proponents of "Ebonics and SpanEnglish".

In my opinion, Hispanics who refuse to learn english have "Zero Investment In America". They are only here for a better way of life. It is as simple as that.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, no stranger to controversy, recently said that it was the duty of all immigrants to assimilate into British society. No sooner had the words came out of Blair's mouth, when he was charged with not being "Tolerant".

Prime Minister Blair is faced with the same kind of argument proffered by the left in this country, from gay rights to the debate on immigration. However, the Brits have someone who is speaking out on controversial issues, unlike our leader in the White House. George Bush is silent on issues of immigration, gay rights, abortion, and so forth. While it is good that he focus on Iraq, the man is viewed as being obsessed with that Middle Eastern country.

Tony Blair has not only called on immigrants to assimilate within British society, he also announced that funds going to faith based groups would be more carefully monitored in the future. If a faith based group is not promoting "Understanding," the Prime Minister said that group would be cut off, as far as funding goes.

Blair hit the nail on the head when he declared:

"When it comes to our essential values--belief in democracy, the rule of law, tolerance, equal treatment for all, respect for this country and its shared heritage-then that is what we come together, it is what we hold in common".

The Prime Minister appears to be saying, "You Can Not Have A Country Within A Country". This is what many ethnic groups want to create. Small enclaves within the United States.  One can not say that he or she is an "American," and at the same time refuse to join the larger society.

I recently visited my baby sister in Brooklyn, New York. It was disheartening to see in one section of her Coney Island neighborhood, Arab signs, and a few blocks over, Russian signs. Having pride in one's ethnicity is one thing, but wearing your ethnicity on your sleeve is another. Whatever happened to your allegiance to the United States of America?

I doubt very seriously if many recent immigrants fully understand how this country was forged together. The blood, the sweat, the tears that those who came before us had to spill. Not to mention the thousands of lives that were lost due to diseases, wars, etc. Those dear people paid a heavy price for all of us to enjoy the liberties that we have today. Yet, there are millions of people who don't appreciate the price that was paid.

To be an American is special. An American is grateful that he/she was born in the land of the free. An American is grateful that he/she was allowed to immigrate here, and become a naturalized citizen.

I do not believe that one can fully appreciate being an American until he/she is of a third or fourth generation of Americans. By then, the roots of being an American have been nurtured and carefully groomed.

To the people who are in love with their ethnicity, and not the country that has opened her doors to you, thus giving you and your families a better life,  at least show us a little respect by learning to speak our language, which is "American English".