America's Language Bigotry

Recently, I read an enlightening, but very disturbing piece of literature entitled Mother Tongue. The piece told a story of a woman and her daughter Amy and their struggle with verbalized communication in America. Amy Tan, author of Mother Tongue, told a story of her mother being treated differently by the hospital that conducted her CAT because of the “broken English” her mother spoke. This heart-wrenching scenario was compounded by Tan’s father and brother passing away previously from the same tumors her mother was being seen for. The discriminatory behavior of this hospital was heinous, and their conduct should have been analyzed on a legal level. This kind of treatment is rightfully reprimanded when it comes to nursing homes or daycare so the same level of scrutiny should be exacted in all other medical facilities. The livelihood of someone should not be jeopardized in the very space they are seeking healing, especially for something like speaking a different language natively.

Before continuing, it is necessary for to clearly define Language Bigotry, as this is phrase that is not widely used. Language Bigotry can be defined as a blatant mistreatment or intolerance toward someone who does not speak your language fluently. Stories like the one of Amy Tan’s mother can only be told to us by someone who speaks our language, so it is important to sensitive to Language Bigotry in our personal lives. The innate posture is to deny that oneself could be a part of this problem. Someone could very easily associate something like Language Bigotry with racism. Although the two are closely related, it is possible that Language Bigotry can be exhibited subconsciously. The act of being afraid of what is not understood is nothing new or abnormal. This is compounded by individuals having the ability to display fear in numerous ways. Examples of Language Bigotry include but are not limited to raising your voice or interrupting someone who is not clearly speaking your language due to lack of understanding, not attempting to understand someone because they do not speak your language clearly, or treating people as if they should be speaking your language when you are visiting their country.

I was born in The United States of America and have not been a victim of Language Bigotry. I have, however, needed to develop methods to erode my authentic form of speaking in order to communicate in a way that has been deemed “professional” for academic and occupational acceptance. My Black English, or “Ebonics,” is only allowed in private, where is it remains in dormancy while I work. I have had the luxury to have lived in The United States of America my whole life and can now maneuver between professionalism and authenticity freely. Some people have not had this luxury. It needs to be recognized that it is just as hard for people to come here and update their identity as it would be for any American to leave and become someone new somewhere else. Respect needs to be demonstrated. Kindness needs to be extended. Grace needs to be given. Amy Tan’s experience having to speak for her mom is embarrassing for me to have to explain to her as an American citizen. Her mother’s life being jeopardized, all due to a language barrier, is utterly staggering, and the fact that we only know of this story because Tan just so happened to be good at entertaining us with her fictional literature is heartbreaking. The rest will have to pay their price for their identity. It is not too far fetched to imagine that if any American-born individual experienced the treatment Tan’s mother received, there would be lawyers called, judges seen, and new anchors advised of the situation without question.

It is not helpful to advise of problems without also providing possible solutions. The classification of Language Bigotry as a form of hate crime could be beneficial. Part of anyone documenting themselves as a citizen of this county should be provided with the resources to report Language Bigotry and all other forms for hate crimes. This should be done on an equivocal level of suicide hotlines as far as confidentiality, politeness, and professionalism. Local authorities should also be involved, after all officers of the law pass a mandatory psychiatric evaluation. It would behoove American’s military forces to undergo this evaluation, as well. Especially after being prepared with the readiness to possibly attack other nationalities. A practical step we can take as citizens is the reporting of Language Bigotry to the appropriate resources. Also, personally evaluating ourselves with openness and humility. Additionally, allowing others we trust to tell us when we are demonstrating traits of someone who exhibits Language Bigotry. These are just a few of the many things we can do to come together to help people like Tan’s mother feel unified in the states are have called “United”. This shift could take time, but with enough of us working together, anything is possible.

In conclusion, I strongly believe the appropriate laws and enforcement would help assist with this underground issue. We as Americans have the responsibility to ensure that Language Bigotry does not take place within us or around us. If we believe our rights our important, we need to believe the rights of other have the ability to be important as well. I also would like to again warn against the immediate reaction of exclusion from this issue. The lives of the victims being harmed by Language Bigotry are real lives. They deserve the moments utilized to self-examine your internal mindsets. As stated previously, this is a process that will take a lot of time and grace. There has been a lot accomplished with people coming together. This issue is no different. Lastly, I believe it is the responsibility of the American citizens to make sure everyone here is treated equally. I have hope that Language Bigotry can be defeated once and for all with compassion, patience, and love for our fellow humans.