being an AMERICAN in 1907

[miss missy]

This is just too cool. It frustrates me that the cleaning people in my work do not speak english. I can't say how are you today I say thank you when they empty MY rubbish barrel and get a grunt back. I can't even say thank you!!

The year is 1907 . but the speaker knew what he was talking about.


Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here
in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall
be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to
discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or
origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an
American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance
here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an
American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We
have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...
and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the
American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907
Every American citizen needs to read this!

 

[Fitswimmer]

When my great-grandmother came over from Poland-the FIRST thing she did was learn English. She knew that the key to success here was to learn the language, so she could get a good job. Once she married and had children, she wanted them to learn English so they could succeed here. It was important to her to be American. Not Polish-American, AMERICAN. She didn't hang the Polish flag on her house or her car, she hung the AMERICAN flag.
Now, my friend's brother in law from Paraguay has been here for at least 5 years and can barely speak enough English to hold down a job. There are free classes everywhere, but he refuses to go. He won't allow his daughter to go to daycare, he hired a Parguayan girl to take care of her while her mother works. That way she hears more Spanish than English. He doesn't want her mixing with American children any more than she absolutely has to. (of course her mother is American)

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I think there is a fine line between assimilating and taking pride in your heritage and wanting to maintain traditions. I agree with the idea that TR was expressing, but I don't think those words would go over so well today. Maybe it's because our culture has become more "me" centered.

 

[rhanditresmom]

I am always amazed by how accommodating we are in this country. I know we were founded and populated by people from many different countries, but I thought they wanted to become one nation! I am constantly astounded by the lengths we will go to to make sure EVERYONE is happy.

When I was a kid and we moved to a Cantonese speaking country, no one made these kind of accomodations for me or my family. We learned to speak the language so we could communicate with the people we lived amongst. My parents became fluent within a few years. Why is that so offensive here? Why do people become so upset when it is suggested that immigrants learn English? Is it because we have no official language?

I know English is a very difficult language to learn. I know it is not easy to assimilate into a culture. I also know that my grandfather's family came here from Germany and learned English. They became American, not German-american. I do respect the right to be proud of your heritage. I think that is great. We are proud of our heritage, as well.

......maybe I just don't understand.

 

[salmoneous]

One interesting point is that TR felt the need to make these comments back in 1907. There are people who believe the "problem" of immigrants not speaking English is new. It's not.

 

[KimR]

Yes, it is annoying. My DD was complaining yesterday that she doesn't like where sits in her classroom - she wants to sit in the first row with the 'cool' kids. I was surprised that 'coolness' was even an issue in 3rd grade so I pressed her to find out what the real problem was. Well, it turns out that she sits around mostly Hispanic kids who won't (not can't - won't) speak English and she feels left out because she can't participate in their conversations. I'm sorry, but I think this is ridiculous - these kids should be required to speak English in school. I can understand if they were new to the country and didn't know any English, but apparently that is not the case here.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Yes, it is annoying. My DD was complaining yesterday that she doesn't like where sits in her classroom - she wants to sit in the first row with the 'cool' kids. I was surprised that 'coolness' was even an issue in 3rd grade so I pressed her to find out what the real problem was. Well, it turns out that she sits around mostly Hispanic kids who won't (not can't - won't) speak English and she feels left out because she can't participate in their conversations. I'm sorry, but I think this is ridiculous - these kids should be required to speak English in school. I can understand if they were new to the country and didn't know any English, but apparently that is not the case here.

I would complain to the school because DD was hurt by the other children's actions. Then we would see how important the feelings of American children are as opposed to the feelings of the Hispanic children. Is it more important that their feelings aren't hurt by telling them to speak English or that your DD's feelings aren't hurt by being excluded from their conversations?

 

[oxfordcircus]

Yes, it is annoying. My DD was complaining yesterday that she doesn't like where sits in her classroom - she wants to sit in the first row with the 'cool' kids. I was surprised that 'coolness' was even an issue in 3rd grade so I pressed her to find out what the real problem was. Well, it turns out that she sits around mostly Hispanic kids who won't (not can't - won't) speak English and she feels left out because she can't participate in their conversations. I'm sorry, but I think this is ridiculous - these kids should be required to speak English in school. I can understand if they were new to the country and didn't know any English, but apparently that is not the case here.

How cool would it be to learn Spanish by hanging out with the Hispanic kids.

 

[Fitswimmer]

How cool would it be to learn Spanish by hanging out with the Hispanic kids.

True, but why isn't it cool to learn English TOO.

 

[Chloe'sMom]

I find it interesting that so many children are bi-lingual yet it is Americans and British that fight learning a second language. We just assume everyone should speak our language.

~Amanda

 

[jgmklmhem]

Yes, it is annoying. My DD was complaining yesterday that she doesn't like where sits in her classroom - she wants to sit in the first row with the 'cool' kids. I was surprised that 'coolness' was even an issue in 3rd grade so I pressed her to find out what the real problem was. Well, it turns out that she sits around mostly Hispanic kids who won't (not can't - won't) speak English and she feels left out because she can't participate in their conversations. I'm sorry, but I think this is ridiculous - these kids should be required to speak English in school. I can understand if they were new to the country and didn't know any English, but apparently that is not the case here.

That is just as bad as whispering to others in front of someone. They are whether on purpose or not excluding your DD. She probably is even paranoid that they are talking about her. It is just rude to do assuming they know English well.

 

[Luv'sTink]

How cool would it be to learn Spanish by hanging out with the Hispanic kids.

IF they will help her learn and are not just using Spanish as a way of talking about other kids.

 

[oxfordcircus]

I suspect this is directed at our Hispanic friends. First of all, I think fears that Hispanic immigrants are not going to assimilate are unfounded. One need look no further than South Florida and the Cuban exiles to see that Hispanics not only assimilate (even while planning to return home at some point), but Hispanics also prosper here given time. If someone lives here long enough, he will learn English. I'm sure it won't be perfect, and I'm sure 1st generation immigrants will always find comfort and ease speaking their first language, but that would be true of any of us too. Assimilation is a long process, best measured in generations.

One point that conservative nativists miss about Hispanic immigrants: Hispanics are socially conservative, by and large. What's more, Hispanics are quickly becoming indistinguishable from other voting demographics. To put it differently, they are becoming just like the rest of America: split down the middle. While Hispanics used to vote heavily Democrat (except for the Cuban Republican bloc), in 2000 and 2004, the breakdown was much closer to even than ever before. I think in 2004 something like 43% voted for GWB. Yes, there was a Hispanic drop off in 2006, but that's because the Republican congress shot themselves in the foot with a nativist platform. If Republicans can figure out that it may be a good idea to embrace rather than demonize 12 million of our current residents, I'm sure we'll continue to see Hispanic assimilation at the polling places.

 

[DawnCt1]

Yes, there was a Hispanic drop off in 2006, but that's because the Republican congress shot themselves in the foot with a nativist platform. If Republicans can figure out that it may be a good idea to embrace rather than demonize 12 million of our current residents, I'm sure we'll continue to see Hispanic assimilation at the polling places.

What makes you think that hispanics who got here legally feel supportive of those who sneak across the boarder? they too have to compete with jobs for illegals and risk being seen as boarder jumpers too.

 

[Chloe'sMom]

What makes you think that hispanics who got here legally feel supportive of those who sneak across the boarder? they too have to compete with jobs for illegals and risk being seen as boarder jumpers too.

Really good point.

 

[Honu]

How cool would it be to learn Spanish by hanging out with the Hispanic kids.

That's how I started to learn.

I find it so sad that the majority of this country only speaks english. It's not that way in other countries.

 

[DawnCt1]

i can't find it, but i heard that tony blair made a speech a couple of weeks ago stating that immigrants have to be ready to assimilate into british society, learn the language and the culture. the netherlands instituted this policy early this year or late last year. its not unreasonable to expect and require assimilation.

 

[oxfordcircus]

True, but why isn't it cool to learn English TOO.

I already know English, so where's the fun in that?

I'm embarrassed to say that I only recently learned that America is the 3rd most populous nation on the planet. Only China and India have more people. What an amazing accomplishment it is that our country, with over 300 million people, could be so diverse yet still be fairly homogeneous. We are currently experiencing a wave of immigration. Sure some first generation immigrants are not fluent in English. But do we honestly believe that 10 or 12 million people are going to somehow ruin communication for the other 288 million of us? Do we think these immigrants are never going to learn English? That would be a first.

 

[claudia]

to make a long story short...many years ago running my company, one of the ladies I had hired was from Columbia. One day, during a break, we had a conversation about how she was doing in school learning English. She told me that she was doing well and was amazed at how lenient our country was about language. She told me that in her country no one would bother trying to speak with you, or help you with the language...either you spoke Spanish, or you would be an outcast. She went on to tell me that she thought it should be the same here...either learn the language or go back to where you had immigrated from.
.....she became fluent in English and also became a citizen 5 years later.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

IF they will help her learn and are not just using Spanish as a way of talking about other kids.

Because everyone knows they only speak Spanish to talk smack about them despite the obvious truth it would be far more effective to do it in English.