Andrew Friedman
Bush to Bloomberg - English is Important
Mayor Bloomberg has been making news recently by speaking out on a variety of national issues, from immigration reform to gun control to stem cell research.
President Bush has been making news by beating the drum for the English language. Speaking from Omaha last week, the New York Times reported that the President argued for a single, national language. He said,
One aspect of making sure we have an immigration system that works, that's orderly and fair, is to actively reach out and help people assimilate into our country. That means learn the values and history and language of America.Bush has been too busy preaching the gospel of English to notice that he is fighting a straw man on this one.
Immigrants agree with him that learning English is important. A recent study from the Pew Hispanic Institute reveals that a majority of Latino immigrants (as well as a majority of native-born Latinos) think immigrants should learn to speak English. 57% of foreign-born Latinos say immigrants have to speak English to say they are part of American society, and 96% of foreign-born Latinos say the goal of teaching English to the children of immigrant families is very important.
Bush has failed to move beyond rhetoric, though, towards public policies that would enable immigrants to learn English.
But what about Mayor Bloomberg?
Despite huge budget surpluses, Mayor Bloomberg is slashing funding for English language classes. As Mayor of a City where 25% of the population does not speak English, he is not living up to his reputation as pragmatic, non-ideological problem solver on this issue.
Later today, advocates and members of the City Council will be on the steps of City Hall advocating for the restoration of ten million dollars of funding for the Immigrant Opportunity Initiative. That money was cut from Bloomberg's budget despite the fact that it is one of very few sources of funding for English as a Second Language classes in New York City.
On this one, Bloomberg should listen to Bush - English matters.
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Posted at 11:57 AM, Jun 12, 2006 in
Civil Rights
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