Wednesday, July 12, 2006

"This is America, please order in English."

Joey Vento of Geno's Steaks in South Philadelphia had the audacity to put a sign in his establishment's window that simply said "This is America, please order in English." Since when did it become a hostile act to express that you prefer to conduct routine business in English? Why is it that simply suggesting it would be better for all concerned if we spoke the same language such a major controversy?

Could it be because many of today's immigrants are coddled into believing they don't need to adapt to their new country's ways, customs and language? After all, they are taught in bilingual schools. They listen to radio stations in their own language. They watch television programs in their native tongue. The crux of the problem is that there is no urgency for assimilation, even though it has been proven over and over again that without assimilation only limited success is achievable in any culture.

In another time, no one would have thought twice about such a sign. Then again, in another time, the sign would not be needed. Only in America.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I find nothing wrong with people wanting you to orderr in english it not like here in St. Louis where a Mall said that people wearing do-rags are not welcome. Because it is the young blacks that wear them, so its like saying that you dont want them in the mall.