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Was this High School Student speech wrong?

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by Salty, Jun 13, 2012.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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  2. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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    I don't think it was wrong, as in did it break any rules or was it sin. But it was definitely inappropriate. We, as Americans, accept anyone as they are. But in return, they should seek to assimilate themselves into our culture. Be proud of your heritage. Be proud of where you came from. But realize that you aren't there anymore. You're in America. Be American.
     
  3. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Yes he was wrong as well was the school for allowing it. The thing is all those who were upset could have, and should have in my opinion, got up and walked out.
     
  4. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    He could have "honored his parents" more, by speaking the language of the country that took them in.
     
  5. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Here’s my thinking – for what it’s worth.

    The article said that the school is in a community where both Spanish and English dominate. The student asked to give his speech twice – once in Spanish and once in English. He was told there was no time and that he would have to choose one language only. He chose Spanish and apologized to the English speaking part of the audience. He wasn't trying to make a political statement.

    Graduation should honor the graduates. There is sometimes way too much pomp and circumstance that doesn’t involve honoring graduates at high school graduations. Why couldn’t the young man have given the speech twice? He earned that right by being at the top of his class. What about people in his family that might not have understood English as well as Spanish? What was wrong with giving the speech twice?

    Certainly, if this were a community where a second language was NOT prominent and someone gave a speech in a foreign language only as a political statement would be in poor taste and not allowed.

    But that’s not what this was.

    Perhaps the people who were angry over this (and some of the comments posted on the article were ignorant and hateful) should go there and volunteer to teach English at a local center.

    In that community, he should have been allowed to give the speech twice.
     
  6. targus

    targus New Member

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    If he wanted to give a speech twice he should have cut the speech in half.

    There is a lot more going on at graduations that the validictorian speech.

    He earned the right to give a speech in the time that was alloted - not twice the time.
     
  7. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    That would have worked fine.
     
  8. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    The question is not whether the student was wrong. The school was wrong. This idea of multiculturalism pushed by the leftists is destroying this country; their goal!

    Historically people who came top this country learned English. That was a requirement for citizenship. Apparently no longer. the oppressive Federal Government is forcing the printing of ballots in several different languages.

    It is difficult for different cultures to engage each other. If they can't speak the same language it is impossible.
     
  9. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    If they are in the United States, then they should be learning English.
     
  10. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    ..........................................
     
    #10 Scarlett O., Jun 13, 2012
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2012
  11. Robert Snow

    Robert Snow New Member

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    He could have given his speech in English with some Spanish included. This would have honored his heritage without angering those who don't speak Spanish.
     
  12. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    And where is the law that states English is the official language of the USA?
     
  13. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    Everyone else understands it's not about the law.

    Why do you not understand that? Do we need to draw you a picture?:tonofbricks:
     
  14. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    There is no law as far as I know but there should be one.. The law does state that ability to read, write, and speak English is a requirement for naturalization. So why are ballots multilingual?

    Eligibility Requirements

    If you are a green card holder of at least 5 years, you must meet the following requirements in order to apply for naturalization:


    Be 18 or older

    Be a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

    Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application

    Have continuous residence in the United States as a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application

    Be physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application

    Reside continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization up to the time of naturalization

    Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).

    Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law

    http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=86bd6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD
     
  15. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Suppose the speaker was a science major - and his speech was totally in science lingo - would anybody have a problem with that?
     
  16. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Apples and oranges, there is no comparison.
     
  17. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Sometimes hablo in ingles, sometimes hablo in espanol, sometimes hablo in American Sign Language, sometimes hablo in Mexican Sign Language and sometimes hablo in all four in the same conversation, depending upon the people that I am speaking to.
     
  18. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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    The difference here is that he wasn't a Spanish major, it was a high school graduation. I would have no problem with him using a few phrases in Spanish, and then saying, "What I said just now was...". I wouldn't have a problem with him doing it all in Spanish if it was a predominantly Spanish speaking school, or if it was a Spanish class graduation.

    But, since none of those were the case, it should have been done in English. Again, when a foreigner comes here, they need to assimilate. Same as if an American went to Europe or Asia. For me, I have already told my wife that if we ever get stationed in Germany, we're both going to learn German, and teach our daughters, too. No one should ever go someplace and expect the locals to bend to them.
     
  19. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Woody,
    I spent 8 years ( 2 long - 1 short tour) in USAEUR. One of my biggest regrets is I did not learn German. My second and third tours, I lived in base housing - and being in a line unit - there was very little interaction with the German nationals. How I wish I had taken some German classes. I totally agree with you! Be sure to immerse yourself in the German language and culture should you ever get assigned there!.

    As far as the apple vs oranges in regards to the science major - the point is that some of the graduates would understand the speaker - but not all. A common language should be spoken. Since this is the United States - as Woody said above -
    "...foreigner comes here, they need to assimilate..."

    Hey, Woody, I am going to start a "military language" thread - will you join with me?
     
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