Big Man Blogging

   Nothing like a Presidential Election and the Independence Day Holiday coming up to stoke the fires of patriotism.   I know folks who politically wrap themselves in the Red, White and Blue around this time of year…the political discourse has only added to that.

One of the things I hear so-called Patriots and even some of my friends say often out of frustration is a pronouncement of how they want an “English Only” United States.  Comments usually triggered by a 10 second misunderstanding at a convience store or a phone call with someone on the other end with an accent but it doesn’t change the fact that in our melting pot, a nation of immigrants, wants “English Only.”

I must tell you that I could not disagree more.  I was an exchange student and lived in Brazil for a year, studying and learning Brazilian culture through the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program.

I had to learn Portuguese from scratch at 16 years old.  I’m still fluent and learning another language has been one of the more enriching experiences of my life.   My Portuguese has helped me Personally and Professionally.

You can’t be a reporter in North Texas and not run into some neighborhoods where English is not the first and only language used.  While I only can speak “get by” Spanish (I’m working on it) I can understand it perfectly because I’m fluent in Portuguese.

Young Latinos growing up Bilingual in our Nation will have a marked advantage in securing the Jobs of the future precisely because they aren’t “English Only” citizens.

Canada seems to get by just fine with English and French.  

Growing up in Ohio and Pennsylvania (Great Lake States) you’ll find many classically ethnic neighborhoods where Polish, Slavic, German and other European Languages are actually the norm over English.  My point is, we’re not weaker as a Nation because our citizens speak different languages, that’s a strength, and we’re stronger for our ability to work to communicate with each other despite our different backgrounds. 

Still some of you, don’t see my point or any merit in my argument so I will concede you this, I’ll hold my nose and support your “English Only” initiatives but I’ve got another one for you, another “only” rule I want your support for in return.

As we celebrate our nation’s Indepencence this week, I only want to see “American Flags Only.”  I do not care to view, celebrate, memorialize, re-enact, pay tribute, or honor in any way the Confederate Flag.

As far as I’m concerned the Confederate Flag is like a Terrorist Flag, it’s certainly not symbolic of anything Good or Great about the United States of America.

For those who say the Confederate Flag is part of Southern heritage, I remind you the “South” you live in is still in the United States!  South America is Below the equator.

I don’t mind State Flags, I think the Lone Star is cool, I like my “O” shaped stars for my Native Ohio but I can think of no reason why Americans and  Patriots would fly the Confederate Flag especially around Independence Day.

Read your History, the Confederacy tried to Destroy America, the Confederacy wanted it’s own corrupt, violent nation where enslaving Americans was legal and Justice was definetly not for all,  the Confederacy lost and Old Glory Won!  The Flag we pledge Allegiance too is not the Confederate Flag! 

Two separate Flags did to our nation what two languages could never achieve, War!  Families vs. Families, Neighbor vs. Neighbor, Border vs. Border. 

So there you have it proponent’s of “English Only”  I’ll support you (not all that enthusiastically) on your issue if you support me on mine of “American Flags Only” or are we not speaking the same Language?

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging!