Welcome to America

I'm trying to relate to this piece of writing without bias but I think that is impossible with my identity. This author was difficult to read and even more difficult to relate to in my opinion. I find the majority of this passage to be viewed as a debate. My great grandfather came to this country and forbid us to talk our native language. He didn't want us to use any part of it (even the cuss words). He said "We are Americans now, and we will act like it!" I guess it boils down to what you believe an American is and what you believe was the intention of the Constitution and the amendments that followed in the eyes of the people who wrote it, not the legal system that interprets it as they see fit.

"Attacks on one's form of expression with the intent of censor are a violation of the first amendment" is a statement Anzaldua makes in summarizing her requirements at the Pan American University to take two speech classes to "get rid of the accents." I would have to conclude that the university felt that the accents were not good for business or getting a job during the interview process. When you own a business, you want people who represent you professionally that can also get their point across through effective communication. How many folks have called for computer technical support and received help from someone they could barely understand due to a strong accent? Isn't that so annoying and frustrating? What about those amendments? Do you think our founding fathers ever dreamed that we would have people in this country who refused to identify with our culture? Why join the tribe if you don't want to take part in it?

She also says "For people who are neither Spanish nor live in a country in which Spanish is the first language; for people who live in a country in which English is the reigning tongue but who are not Anglo; for a people who cannot entirely identify with either standard (formal, Castillian) Spanish or standard English, what recourse is left to them but to create their own language?" She makes this statement to support her defense more to the Spanish speakers but to the English as well for the fact they both look down on Chicano's for their choice in language. The English don't just do it to them though. When I read this, I think of inner city slang. It is almost its own language anymore but we associate it with lack of education and ignorance. I can see how the Spanish speaking folks could see the same in their language. Is she saying that her people can't learn a different language? Is she saying that they can't accept American culture? I don't think she flatters the Chicanos at all in this statement.

Pride is something you earn in yourself or in the group you are with through accomplishment. With the statement, "Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself", I feel she doesn't have a lot of self esteem to begin with. It is like saying I can't take pride in myself until I can be accepted as an equal after failing high school. It is an accomplishment to a group of drop outs to fail but not to those who put forward the effort to equal or exceed the standard. Creating your own language because you don't want to accept the standard is not an accomplishment. You can show your culture through your work, morals, belief in God, art, etc., but you can't do that if you refuse to communicate. Without effective communication, your ideas will diminish along with your culture.