1:17 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Bilingualism|Immigration|language|Nevada
13 Apr 2007
English-only measures are popping up all over the country in an effort to create more barriers for undocumented immigrants. One of the latest proposals comes from Sin City, Las Vegas Republican State Senator Bob Beer and when it was presented before the Government Affairs Committee, the proposal wasn’t met with open arms.
“Your proposal is racist in intent and is being proposed to divide Nevadans at the cost of the rights of Hispanic Nevadans,” said Rene Cantu of the Latin Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas, adding that Latinos make up one fourth to one third of the state’s population.
“You’re not Hispanic and you apparently don’t understand what the Hispanics are up against in this community,” testified John Mendoza, a long-time public servant who has served as a judge and district attorney.
Via / Colorlines
VivirLatino is a daily publication published by Mamita Mala Media, dedicated to featuring all the latest politics, culture, entertainment of interest to the diverse Latin@ diaspora.
About | Advertise with us | Contact | Twitter
3 Responses to Nevada Wants to Go English Only and Gets Called Out
Jan Sturgill
April 19th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Could someone please explain why Latinos find Americans who would like their own language spoken in THEIR country so offensive. All other immigrants have had to learn English. Asians come here and within 1 year are speaking perfect English. Don’t Latinos know that it is considered very rude to speak another language to someone in the presence of others who do not speak the language. I had Aunts from Italy who would never speak anthing other than English when around those of us who spoke only English. They said it was out of respect for their new country, which they very much wanted to be a part of. I think that is the difference. Mexicans only want our money, not to be part of this great country,
Ken
May 7th, 2007 at 6:40 am
I agree latinos should speak english.But think about history. Before english was spoken there, spanish was the language of the zone. Look at the name of the state “Nevada”(snowed),for instance. Other inmigrants come from other parts of the world but mexicans,etc(spanish-speaking people) belong to this region for centuries. I think this makes a difference or not?.
I too suggest you change “nevada” to snowed. Pure english!!! Y que la fuerza os acompañe.
Mario
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:34 am
Countries with Spanish as an official language
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Spain
Uruguay
Venezuela
This list speaks for itself.