Did we forget that we are all immigrants? After reading the comments on the LPGA language requirement, I was surprised at the ignorance that still exist in this country. Frankly, I am embaressed for those people who found it nessesary to go as far as to tell those people in the UNITED States to either speak the English language or go home. I felt extermely sorry for the person who made a comment in the area of, why do Mexicans come to the United States anyway, gas is less expensive and everything is cheaper...are you kidding me? Just to clarify, people come to the United States for many reasons, primarly because of their countries economy. I could not speak for all countries, but I could touch a bit on Mexico. Many, if not all, Mexican immigrants that come to the United States, come to this country to better themselves and their families. They are hard working indivisuals that are unable to make a living due to the economies infrustructure. The average pay rate for a work day in Mexico could be compared to the average hourly rate in the United States. Sound appealing, I think it does. Why not come to the United States and make eight times your pay rate in a day. That's the mentality that the immigrants have. Sadly, it is American companies that encourage Mexican workers to want to leave their country. Companies, such as Wal-Mart is one of those companies that have opened their doors to cheap labor in Mexico and their support system is the United States (does anyone remember NAFTA). After NAFTA, did anyone other than me notice that almost everything we see and or wear has a label that states, Made or assembled in Mexico. That's right, lets take advantage of the cheap labor in a nieghboring country in order to make the most profit possible. Once in the United States, language is one of the last things in an immigrants mind. Why? Let me put it in perspective to those Conservatives blaming immigrants for the downfall of this country. Once in the states, those immigrants have to take upon those jobs that are set for the reserve labor force (for those of you that don't know what that is, pick up a book on globolization) and find themselves working long hours with little pay. It is not uncommon to pick up extra shifts and or a second job in order to make ends meet. Is there anytime for night classes, maybe not. That makes it close to impossible for an immigrant to learn a second language. This proves to be true in this day in age, where people with graduate degrees are struggling to stay afloat. Now just imagine someone with no education or specialized training. Now back to sports, what does language have to do with sports? What if a person was deaf? What would be his or her requirement? "That's good son, you just shot -16 below par, but um, um, you have to sit this one out cause you can't communicate with the sponsors". Doesn't that sound simply stupid. In my life time, it doesn't matter what language you speak, as long as you could play better than everyone else, you are going to be followed by sponsors. Honestly, are those sponsors looking foward to having a discussion with the athletes or cashing in their bonus checks. Remember, dollar signs and numbers are a universal language that everyone understands (even the blind and deaf). In retrospect, this new rule is sheer ignorance and a proven fact that someone's ego has been damaged and the most reasonable way to go about it is using the immigrant as the scapegoat, why not, it works. For those of you that find the need to belittle a culture and or country, please make sure you do not pass judgement because the only thing you are doing is painting a picture of what American culture really knows. Thank you.
Okay, I see your point. However, it's late here in SE TN because I get up each day at 4:30 AM. I'm a middle class, hard working American. I pay all taxes and I pay Social Security, which is being used by illegals and I will never get back what I've paid in to the system. My money won't be there for me because it is being used for illegals and low class scum that won't work, pay taxes, and pay into the Social Security System. My home phone is out of order because of excessive rain. I've tried for two days to report it to AT&T, but I can't speak to a person that speaks English. My Verizon cell phone has a problem and I can't contact a person that speaks English clearly to talk about the problem. I'm too tired to cook, but I have to do so because I can't go to a fast food place and place an order to a person that speaks English. I could go on, but I'm not sure that you work, pay taxes, and speak English. If you don't like it that is your problem. I've taught public ed for over 30 years. My kids from Bosnia, Korea, Japan, China, and other countries were more than willing to learn to speak English. I, as an ESL teacher had problems with children from only one country--Mexico. Now, do you get my point? If you want to live here and reap the benefits from this country, then, yes you should speak English and work and pay taxes and provide your own benefits. Have a good night. Best wishes to you and yours.
Last edited by volfan69 on August 28th at 7:42 PM.
Because this blog seems full of intolerant people without the ability to discuss any issue that differs however slightly from their own, I don't know why I bother thinking someone might actually take into consideration a differing opinion but I'm determined to find all those people.
First of all I am someone who is white and can speak some Spanish and learning more. I understand why they come here and would do the same if I were in their position. Do you understand why they do? Not because of "more money". Many are STARVING in Mexico. They breed like rabbits and there are NO jobs in many areas. NONE. So I do understand why they come here.
Now let's talk about the poor Mexican working his life away for no benefits and low pay in the USA. I work every weekend at a local Flea Market and most of the people are Non English speaking Latinos. They will argue a 5.00 item and expect to get it for 1-2.00 max and curse you in Spanish if you refuse. If they purchase anything virtually everyone opens a wallet or purse and flashes wads of money that I have never had. Literally dozen's of hundred dollar bills. They all have cel phones, they all wear nice clothing and they all have 3-4 kids or more. So they are not starving here as many are at home.
There is nothing wrong with demanding a univeral language in a country. Are the Mexicans going to allow you to do business in Mexico in English? Not likely.
Over the years of working at the Flea Market I have met and learned to enjoy and they seem to enjoy back many Mexicans of both sexes. We laugh and joke and have learned mutual
Maybe I have it wrong, but from what I understand, it's all about business. I has nothing to do with your status as a citizen or your ethnic background.
In any field of endeavour requiring more than one individual, there's a need to assign tasks and meet goals. This requires a common understanding. If you don't speak the same language, you are bound to fail.
Now, when I say 'speak the same language', I'm talking a comprehensible process-related terminology and not necessary a particular ethno-centric language, like English. The perfect example is military battle-langauge, which for the most part in non-verbal. Everyone involved must understand the 'language' or people may die. This is an extreme case.
A closer, more related business example, is when Dell Computers moved their technical support services overseas. Having a list of English phrases wasn't enough because of the significant difference in between a real world event and the limitations of the elements in the list. Remember, Indians are speakers of English...not American English.
And, sometime at the end of 2003, Dell brought back technical support because having it elsewhere EFFECTED THE BOTTOM LINE!
As I said, as I understand this, this is about business.
Now, your choice as a player is to learn English or not play in the LPGA. The key to the other side of a business, labor supply, is that if you are good enough and demand for services of the type you offer are in demand, that's the perfect opportunity for a competing firm, possibly running their business in a different
While I don't believe English should be a requirement for golfers, it would be nice if immigrants in general would learn to speak the language of their host country.
If I chose to move to Zimbabwe, China or Mexico, I would learn the native tounge...it only seems prudent.
Despite what some may think, I believe the assimilation of immigrants to American culture is what makes this country great...not multiculturalism.
UNITED we stand.
I have no problem with immigrants celebrating their heritage, customs or even speaking their native language, however, English is the language of commerce. Here and abroad. And I also have no problem with immigrants declaring their heritage, the problem, in my eyes, is the order in which it's worded.
The word American should supercede the country or continent of origin as a sign of respect to the country that welcomed them to BECOME an American.
Rather than being a Latin American or African American, they should be simply an American.
If they choose to honor their heritage they should call themselves Americans: of Japanese descent.
... (maybe better) way, to come into the market and 'purchase' your services.
The old AFL and old NFL, the WFL and the new NFL, and the European NFL and Arena football with the current NFL are perfect illustrations of that last point.
The beauty of being a human being AND being in THIS country is that you always have a choice. It may be a hard one, but you still have a choice.
DF
Ps. We are all immigrants everywhere. Humanity is not that old. The Native Americans can say they were here first and therefore the only non-immigrants, but the western world was uninhabited 13,000 years ago (it keeps changing). The point is 'immigrant' is always a time perspective. And so is citizen.
I think it shows just how this white elitest arrogant country of ours has come to demand that we are the owners of all, and speak our language in our elitest sport, or else. I really think there are ways to get over this, but not by totalinary stances that the rich impose on everyone.
In emergency rooms and hospitals, in schools, in working envoironments and many other things, I see the need for a uniform language. I just have a problem with rich elitest groups like the pro golfer tour. Come on, no wonder the world wants to slash our throats. We need to be more tolerant and accepting. They do have tranlators don't they.
If there's real problem here then it's the id*iocy of the LPGA and the fact that in marketing their sport. They make one mistep after the other. And this may well be their biggest blunder of all.
This is afterall a sport we're meant to be talking about here.
And if the sponsors are infact so peturbed by this all wouldn't they have made it public. This is nothing more than the myopic hierarchy of the LPGA not knowing their as# from their elbow.
And when it comes to immigration had Congress wanted to address the situation before. Then they'd have been more expedient in dealing with the issue. Now that it's become a political hot potato that's when they choose to step up to the plate .
A nutcase like Tom Tancredo talks about building a wall across the country's southernmost border.
Who's he going to get to build it ? Raoul and his colleagues ?
Congess like this administration is completely bankrupt of ideas. And neither side of the political aisle has any idea how to address the real issues at hand.
Great post and great stance. As a multilingual blogger who respects his multi-cultural, ethnic background and celebrates diversity in its various aspects, I've always felt that mandating our language upon others is essentially racist.
Yes, it's our native tongue and yes, people should make the effort to learn it. But what of the elderly Cuban lady who's come to this country and is a perfectly respectable citizen in every other respect. Are we going to deport her because the only words in English are 'Happy Birthday to You?'
I think the LPGA shot themselves in the foot with this one. Furthermore, if Michelle Wie had any sac at all, as an Asian-American, I think she should speak up and call this move for what it is: racist.
You've seen my notes and like I said, I may be wrong.
Now, I'm not saying anyone is wrong here as we are just expressing what we know and/or what we feel. But, here is my point: since the LPGA is using a business/economic point as their "rule", what better way to respond than in a business/economic way?
The old joke of someone bringing a knife to a gunfight applies here. Calling the act racist, calling the organzation racist, calling the managers of the current political environment corrupt or incompetent while givng individual release, does nothing as it does not apply to the "excuse" that the LPGA is using.
The way, and not just the American way anymore, is to repond in kind to the LPGA, that is economically:
The affected golfers can band together and form a union or at least act in a colleagial fashion. They can:
a. boycott the LPGA;
b. speak out against the LPGA, not to call it
names, but to pressure fans against sponsors;
c. form their own league with their own
sponsorship.
When people/organizations use economic weapons against you, either as an individual or a group, that is what should be used to defend yourself as that may be the only thing they can hear.
Ichiro? There's a player's union. And the MLB is big business.
Yao? There's a player's union. And the NBA is big business.
The LPGA is relatively trivial.
Actually, global business is a fraud. It a continuing one-sided, multi-national rip-off of underdeveloped nations, of both their labor and their resources, and a silent destruction of the ability of large group of people to basic reasoning such that they are willing to give up there soul for a hope of something that doesn't exist.
