LoneStarLizard

This is just embarrassing:

A Texas representative has pre-filed a controversial bill for the next legislative session that would make English the official language of Texas.

Texas Rep. Dan Flynn authored the bill, which would require documents in Texas to be printed in English only, with the exception of those required otherwise by federal law. The measure follows a rejected 2007 bill in Texas that was the first language legislation in more than a decade.

Flynn said the bill will protect the state from wasting paper by producing thousands of extra documents in non-English languages.

Despite the representative’s environmental and economic aims, the measure has far-reaching implications and may color future legislation introduced on a national level.  Thirty states, including Iowa, Utah and California, have already passed similar legislation.

Efforts to make English the official language of the United States dates back to 1780, when John Adams tried to present the legislation. The Continental Congress rejected the idea as an improper role for government and a threat to individual liberties.

This type of legislation is divisive and pointless. Let people speak whatever language they want, wherever they want, and do not place impediments or restrictions on accommodating them, particularly when it comes to mortgages and other legal documents.

“In such a diverse country, not that much unifies us,” Toonkel said. “We have different nationalities, different religions and different backgrounds. The English language is that bond that brings them together.”

Toonkel said some of this issue’s greatest supporters are immigrants and 78 percent of Texans support this kind of legislation.

“Rather than isolating new immigrants, making English the official language melts the difference that keep citizens apart,” he said.

He compared non-English-speaking immigrants to cigarette smoking.

“In a job situation, an employer would say, ‘Sure, you’re free to smoke at home, but you can’t smoke at work,’” Toonkel said. “No one is going to promote that type of behavior.”

First of all, comparing speaking Spanish to cigarrette smoking is extremely offensive. Smoking cigarrettes is an unhealthy habit which claims lives prematurely. Speaking spanish is a means of communication as well as a part of many Texans’ cultural identity.  For some recent immigrants it is their only means of communication. 

It is correct to say that the English language has a unifying effect. But that unifying effect is compromised if you start mandating that people speak English. People living in Texas will learn English in time, but it is more difficult for some than for others. The last thing we want to do is try to force it on people. In fact, it would be much more unifying if those Texans who only speak English would make more of an effort to learn to speak and understand Spanish. Individual results will be mixed, but even a small effort made towards meeting somebody halfway will be received as an act of goodwill. 

According to the U.S. Census, 29% of of Texas residents speak Spanish at home. In El Paso, this number is 74%.  Spanish-speaking Texans are every bit as Texan as anyone else and should be treated as such. It is wrong to propose legislation which would exclude them in any way. 

Here is Texas Rep. Dan Flynn’s website: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist2/flynn.php. Feel free to drop him a note and let him know that this type of legislation is bad for all Texans.