For the most part, I try not to flaunt my redneck self too often. I know some of my views, thoughts and opinions run counter to those of my liberal friends, and I’ve learned over the years it’s easier to leave things unsaid than start unfinishable (and unwinnable) arguments. (On the same note, I sometimes leave liberal things unsaid amongst my conservative friends.) But every now and again something really chaps my ass and I can’t leave it alone no matter how hard I try.
Over the weekend, Adam and I went to the grocery store. Among the items on the list were shampoo and conditioner for my crazy, curly, bushwoman hair. Last time I bought Sunsilk shampoo and conditioner for curly hair, and it worked okay so I looked for it again among the Sunsilk products. In my search, there were several bottles I couldn’t easily identify, and I picked them up for closer inspection. The bottles — front and back — were completely in Spanish. Suddenly, my redneck began showing, and Avenue Q’s “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist Sometimes” began playing in my head.
While I don’t have all of the issues many people do, insisting everyone should speak nothing but English in our country, as it turns out I do have an issue with things being completely in a different language. To become a citizen in the United States, you must have a certain level of English profiency. Maybe you’re learning, and having something — like a bottle of shampoo — with both languages may help you learn. But what is something completely in a foreign language teaching anyone? What is it encouraging? Come to America and never bother to learn its official language! Never mind that pesky citizenship test, we’ll cater to you anyway! Would I feel the same if the shoe was on the other foot? Maybe, maybe not. But it still irks me.
When foreigners first came to this country, Native Americans were quickly herded unto reservations and forced into English schools to learn not only the customs, but also the language. They were forced to cut their hair, leave behind their tribal dress, and, soon, forget their native tongue. Many of those languages were lost, and with them many stories. While I don’t wish to see immigrants — legal or illegal — treated this way, I do think there should be an attempt to teach them the languages and customs of this country. It is possible to respect and celebrate both.
I put the bottles back on the shelf, and purchased a different company’s products.
3 responses so far ↓
jairyhunter // Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I tend to agree with you on the need to have everyone speak a semblance of English (hey, you know us rednecks don’t always speak the King’s….). I would point out, however, that the shampoo company doesn’t really care who speaks what, just that they sell as much shampoo as possible. If that means they sacrifice some patriotism, well so be it–they might not want to be the standard-bearers for US protectionism or whatever anyone might call it (I’m putting words in someone else’s mouth, which is always a dangerous thing–putting things in others’ mouths). Just a thought.
Quentin Ergane // Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I’m not a patriot.
I’m glad that in SC there are shampoo bottles completely in spanish.
We don’t have an official language.
And if I am not mistaken, you don’t have to be able to reproduce a whole lot of English to be a citizen, just understand it well enough or have your kids be translators.
Your view is very mild compared to the folks I met in Tucson. There was a radical school that opened there where only spanish was taught and people flipped out.
If our educational system wasn’t so UScentric which is to mean English-speaking ruled, we’d know more than English and thus wouldn’t feel so threatened.
Munz // Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:03 am
now im no red neck.. but i agree with “I do think there should be an attempt to teach them the languages and customs of this country. It is possible to respect and celebrate both.”
this goes with all not just spanish.. i love all even though all dont love back[no regrets].. i see flags of many countries rasied proud in the usa which is fine because we are a pot of many.. i just wouldlike to see our flag rasied by them aswell, i mean you are here and not there, and there is a reason for that.
peace to you and your blog its a good one.