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English Only unites seemingly unlikely allies
It’s not every day that Nashville’s business leaders rub elbows with progressive activists. Hispanic and Kurdish teenagers aren’t always found mingling with Nashville’s most influential movers and shakers of local politics.
But a surprising cross-section of Nashville demographic groups and political orientations crowded together in a Loews Vanderbilt Hotel event room Thursday to celebrate a shared victory. Far from an unholy alliance, this group celebrated together the defeat of the English Only ballot initiative. Volunteers said Nashville is a better place for having grappled with English Only.
“Councilman Eric Crafton did something that I think was amazing. Through something so divisive, he more than any other individual brought this city together,” said attorney Gregg Ramos, a prominent immigrants’ rights advocate and outspoken opponent of the English Only amendment. “The people that are here, they’re from all backgrounds. They’re so diverse. This is the broadest-based coalition that I think this city has ever seen.”
The ballot initiative, spearheaded by Bellevue’s Crafton, would have changed Metro’s charter to require that all official government business be conducted in English. Opponents of the amendment say the amendment would have sent a message about Nashville that a variety of citizens found unacceptable.
The coalition of English Only amendment opponents was led by Mayor Karl Dean, and included the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, immigrants’ rights advocacy groups and faith-based organizations from across the mid-state area. The coalition raised in the neighborhood of $300,000, according to its campaign finance disclosures.
Ralph Schulz, president of the Chamber, said Tuesday that the victory over English Only is an economic boon for the city. Leaders of large local employers including HCA Inc. and Ingram Book Group sent company-wide e-mails urging workers to vote, but also explaining the arguments of the amendment opposition. Schulz credited Chamber supporters — as well as the volunteers who phone-banked and walked door-to-door — with making a big difference.
“The turnout was probably double what people thought it would be in the beginning. … The joy you see around this room is earned,” Schulz said Thursday evening, just after election results were announced. “From an economic perspective, it’s really important for this message to get out, for people to see what we stand for.”
Overton High School sophomore Sal Aljabbary said Thursday that he was drawn to become active due to concerns for members of his family. Aljabbary said his father moved to the United States 20 years ago and has graduated from college and secured a good job, but many in the city’s Kurdish, Hispanic and other international communities haven’t learned to speak English. An English Only amendment could have jeopardized their ability to access crucial services, he said.
“One of my aunts barely speaks English,” Aljabbary said. “What if she calls 911? Her kids have medical problems.”
Aljabbary is no stranger to activism, and volunteers with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC). In opposing English Only, he said he has worked for months, gathering signatures, hanging signs in shops, knocking on doors and placing phone calls urging voters to mobilize. He worked — and on Thursday, celebrated — alongside a group of volunteers he considers diverse.
“We didn’t see each other as [being] from different places. We’re all from the world,” Aljabbary said.
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So....once again the almighty dollar reigns supreme. American Way of life is slowly go to die off (not immediately as it has taken this long to get to this point, but the process will surely speed up.), but as long as the economy is okay...everything is hunky dory!Btw, Sal.....under the amendment your Aunt would be able to get an exception made in the case of public safety or a health emergency (clearly stated in the voting booth explanation). This amendment's purpose, which was actually about getting people to unify rather than continuing to diversify was flipped into some garbage about "alienating immigrants".
Cable network news outlet people where applauding the English Only but see the folks of Nashville have no idea nor do they care what Country they are living in. This is course includes the Mayor and Gov. How un-American the voters are.
This really sends the message just how much Nashville IS a sanctuary city. Guess next, Dean & cohorts will start a bus run to the border for all hispanics that want to come here (legal or illegal). Free, of course, because taxpayers can pay for the trip.
The coalition of English Only amendment opponents was led by Mayor Karl Dean************************************Yes his oposition and actions certainly cast a doubt about the integrity of the election.He can be assured he will not get my vote again.
Vos populus es misellus. Repo tergum sub vestri silicis quod licentia ceterus nostrum in century unus!
Well, it's not real Latin, but I get the drift.
Now it's a matter of money? Gee yeserday this was a done deal, no way it get defeated because sooo many people are for it. Did the opponents get paid to vote? I don't think so, but common sense prevailed and the bitter old guard is left to ponder their future. Not much leftfor those Phil Valentine,Rush Limbaughs to do. People are on to that BS in a big way and spewing hatred is no longer an option. You are proving to be irrelevant and as we witnessed on both the local and National stage this week, HOPE is the new mantra. Deal with it...
We spend $350,000 of taxpayer money on an election for a law that is already in place. Please read below... Conservatives & Liberals should be furious at this waste of money at a time of significant budget cuts. Nashville has spoken so lets put this issue to rest and move on! TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED, THROUGH 1993 SUPPLEMENT Section 4-1-404 –English and Legal Language (1984)English is hereby established as the official and legal language of Tennessee. All communications and publications, including ballots, produced by governmental entities in Tennessee shall be in English, and instruction in public schools and colleges of Tennessee shall be conducted in English unless the nature of the course would require otherwise.________________________________________Source: Charles V. Dale and Mark Gurevitz, Legal Analysis of Proposals to Make English the Official Language of the United States, Oct. 17, 1995, Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service.
HOPE for what? Do you know what you hoping for?A country where free speech is promoted as long as that speech doesn't include Jesus Christ, there being only one correct standard by which to live, and desiring others to live by that standard? Diversity (differences in people) is now being promoted over unity (similarities in people). Selfishness is being promoted over selflessness. This country will slowly destroy itself by embracing multi-culturalism as an "American" ideal. Eventually, we will have no ideals to stand on or to unify us because the only thing people will believe in is selfishness and individualism. That is the standard by which this country promotes as the one correct way to live by now.Just watch "300" again. It explains the culture of Western Civilization by which this country was founded and why it is worth defending.
Eric Crafton: “Those people who voted for it, like we did, we need to come together with the people who voted against and basically double our efforts for the upcoming issues like the failing education system and the budget crisis. We need to take this talent and energy and we need to energize on the issues.”I think that the approx. $300,000 spent by Nashville Metro to run the charter amendment vote has served to worsen the budget crisis and could have been used to fund the failing education system Councilor Crafton. Furthermore, these are current issues, not upcoming ones.
My question is why were the opponents talking about hurting the economy and "alienating immigrants" in their campaign if the state law already does what the proposed amendment was going to do? Why weren't they campaigning against the silly redundacy? Surely, there must be some difference in wording or something for there to be such opposition over something that's already been legislated.
A total colossal waste of money, time and effort. I voted against just because of the mere stupidity of the special election and because the amendments were absurd. Nashville has to get its head out of the sand once and for all. It is a big bright world out there and it doesn't revolve around this city!!!
What a tragedy and shame. As an American and a taxpayer, Mayor Dean, I'd like an immediate tax rebate when an official document is created for official business or when the salary or hiring of another translator is effected. Or should I call the Loews and ask for my free luxury suite? Or better yet, to save time, why don't I just apply the credit to my NES or property tax bill.The only losers here are the poor immigrants. You folks high on your pedestal Nashville For All lost the battle; the battle of helping a human life. These immigrants will remain in bondage because no one at the corporate level is helping them to learn English. The employers would much rather have the immigrant "dumbed-down" so they can still be taken advantage of, tricked into signing any paperwork, etc.The other innocent souls who will suffer the most are the immigrant children. ESOL doesn't work folks. How is it and how can anyone on the Nashville For Us All side (dark side) actually sleep at night when my neighbors child started ESOL in the 3th grade and is still in ESOL. By the way, he is in the 7th grade. That's the true crime. That's the true injustice!So a valiant attempt to mandate the use of English while conducting official business. Too bad it wasn't during the General Election when more, most people voted for President.Campaigns are dirty, people. The Dean side knew who to target. They had money from HCA, law firms, PR firms, Lowes, etc...The Dean side just targeted those voters, many of whom run businesses and no doubt, hire immigrants. Let's not get into legal/illegal for now. Gee, Dean, why doesn't your band of wealthy contributors donate the same amount of money in the next couple days to a not for profit that can teach English to the same number of voters you and your dark side targeted in the Get Out The Vote effort?Oh wait, you and your dark side are too elitist to do that. David Fernandez, an American citizen, born in Argentina.
Nashmusic, Of all the daft comments I've read yours was without a doubt the most bizarre.
Well Hoppesm,Do you understand English?It was very straightforward.Or are you implying my English is bad?
AT LEAST we FINALLY voted on this thing!! We can thank Mayor Dean and his continegency for finding the technicalitiy that forced this to cost us taxpayers $300,000 to have a special election for this. We could have voted on this during the presidential election. Like the gay marriage vote in California failing, this measure here in Nashville would have PASSED had we voted back then. Either way, I am happy that we at least voted on this...not happy about the result, though. Here is the foxnews.com story on it: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,481707,00.html
nashmusic,Please explain how English Only would have any effect on immigrants in this country? Your friends are attempting to learn the language, that is good. Most people would like to help them learn English. I tried to learn Spanish in school. Some stuck, some did not. It was not the governments fault I did not learn it, it was mine. Were your friends trying to watch and learn English from the once monthly Council meetings on local cable? I really do not understand your point. Should we have an immigrant only job fair? What is it you want, immediate access to becoming a CEO? You can and so can anyone, start your own company, that is what makes America great. That is why your friends (and mine) are here.
Yea producer2, but the key you have failed to detail is to get to a CEO level or any for that matter, requires English. Wasting my tax dollars to provide translators, documents is not an effective means. It begets laziness. As my neighbor and another friend from Russia told me. "When you make it easy for us to walk in and do something in city hall in my language, it takes away the drive or incentive to learn the language." So stop the ambivalence and hand-outs. English Only or as it should be stated, English First, is the way to go. I'd like to propose a study funded by the Dean side to actually see the value of providing multiple languages when doing official business. I just returned from France. I bought a book to help me with French. I knew the basics of the road signs, how to converse with a French citizen. I didn't need to go to city hall in Paris; so I am not sure if they offered English translators or paperwork.You really don't want to get into a debate about ESOL with me; trust me.
This initiative was little different than the unreasonable and irrational discrimination which has occurred against many different groups during the history of the United States. These range from the 1860's NINA signs (No Irish Need Apply) to the internment camps in the United States during WWII. This campaign of propaganda was disguised as "making English the official language." Are there really people in Nashville who think that something than English is the official language? For those of you who think that English is not already Nashville's "official" language, I know of a lovely bridge in San Francisco which is for sale.We do not need laws which state the obvious. Up is up; down is down; grass is green (usually). Do we need laws to affirm these? Fortunately, the Civil Rights Act would have invalidated this if it had been passed. Thank goodness that enough Nashvillian's wanted to stop stupidity in its tracks.
BTW, that's by the way in English text...Are you an immigrant? Are your parents? Are your grandparents?If we're going to discuss the validity of the argument, then let's compare apples to apples.I am an immigrant born in Argentina. My parents one from Argentina and one from Italy. I came to the US at 10 years of age. Learned fluent English by 11 years of age.And your background?
taxpayer:just b/c For those of you who think that English is not already Nashville's "official" language, " official language would mean and require that IT IS THE ONLY LANGUAGE OFFERED WHEN DOING OFFICIAL BUSINESS. Do some of you need to go back to school or something?By virtue that other languages are OFFERED is makes your point of official language moot.
You know what, I have clients to tend to. I don't have the ability to continue a debate with people who think they are doing immigrants justice when some of them aren't even immigrants. Don't tell me what it was like or is like if you aren't in my shoes or walked in them.Go on with your life and send your $5 to your mission, or your church or your fav 501c3 and think that they are helping immigrants.Until immigrants learn English, no matter how long it takes, federal laws already protect them re police, health, courts.I say to be fair and equal, as you Dean suppoters espouse, let's require that each day our General Assembly or council convenes, that they pick out a foreign language from a hat and conduct that day's business in the language. For you Dean supporters who won't understand, too bad.....Be fair and just, learn that language.....!Have a good weekend!
Well for some it obviously is a difficult concept to grasp. Many come here and don't want to work, don't want to learn, don't want to assimilate. I say either put up or shut up...You failed to answer my direct questions earlier. Are you an immigrant? By what basis are you qualifying yourself to speak on what an immigrants knows, feels or experiences?I am an immigrant, but American.
We are all either immigrants or descendents of immigrants. I am not first or second generation so in your context, no I am not. Obviously you have figured out how to get ahead and I am not here speaking for immigrants. By what basis are you qualified to decide what is best for anyone, immigrant or otherwise? Is conducting the Metro Council meeting in English (which it is ) in English going to make anyone a better citizen or grasp the English language? Do you know what the ammendment would require that is not already being done? When someone makes the statement "you make it easy for me to do something" I see an unmotivated person. We are not in the business of guearenteeing anything, this country is here to provide opportunities. You either take them or you don't. Stop with the downtrodden stuff. Everyone starts somewhere and some will always be more privaleged than others. This has no bearing on whether you are an immigrant or not, it is just fact. Some will never make it out of their situations and that is not a good thing but a reality that so far there is not a good awnser for, but English Only or English First is not and will never be the difference maker. Only hard work and perserverence will decide that. We all strive for the "All Men are Created Equal" world but so far it is not a reality. But if you are watching, it is getting better every day. I hope you keep fighting for your friends but don't create enemies where there are none.
Hey producer, all the hard work one effectuates is moot if you still require a translator to get by.And yes, I figured you aren't qualified to speak on, for or about immigrants. I was born in Argentina. My parents decided a better life for me, for them was in the US. We came through a VISA program. Worked hard, learned the culture, the language. Now I am an attorney. My parents own their own business. Through their church they help other immigrants learn English.SO yea!, I am qualified to speak about immigrants and their struggles. The suppression that employers exact on them by keeping them down, dumbed-down. I'd like to see all the Dean supporters give equal amounts of money to set up training centers for immigrants to learn English.So, with all due respect. This is a subject you have no bearing to discuss and certainly no personal experience about.
Where the heck is that attorney Ramos to defend immigrants when their employers Loews, HCA suppress them?Where are you Greg?You sit high atop your downtown view office and spout out how bad it is to make immigrants learn, assimilate?Now and then, everyone needs a little push out of complacency. I am sure your Mexican parents at some point wished someone would say, "Hey, get up! Do something about it!I don't agree or support making it easy by providing languages to soothe or make it politically correct. America is GREAT! But it takes blood, sweat and tears!Go back home if you can't adjust or fit it. We have enough domestic problems.!
I have a new client from Taiwan. They speak English among three other languages. But with all the discussion about English here, he wants to go to city hall and file some paperwork. Is there someone there who speaks Taiwanese?He wants to do business in his native language.Hey Karl Dean, he also wants a meeting with you to discuss economic development and possible investments in blighted areas, but wants to conduct the meeting in Taiwanese. He also wants to see how dedicated you are so he's asking that the conversation be had between just the two of you. No translators.You want to support and espouse diversity and how open you are to others~ I suggest you brush up on your Taiwanese.David F.
in the past immigrants thought it an honor to learn to speak the language of their new country and a privilage to be here. now people move here and set up pockets of their own people and try their best to not conform. drive thru "their" parts of town and if you only speak english you wont be able to read a sign. this says "we dont want english speakers here". they just want to come here and make money and either send it home or be non conformists. how did they even hear about the vote? someone who actually gives a damn about them and learned english? you want the truth? i think if they are americans or even have a green card and want to someday BE americans then i welcome them. but if we cant communicate it makes me feel uncomfortable so i probably would avoid being around them. i would love to stop in and try their food or see what kind of interesting things they have in their shops but i feel like im not wanted or i dont belong. its unfair to me to have to feel that way in my own country. if i went to another country and didnt learn their language i would be out of luck,if i complained i would probably be arrested.if their countries are so great why are they here? their governments dont give a damn about them.it may have been their home and they may miss it but they are here now and there was a system already in place that worked just fine. if you change the rules enough nobody knows how to play the game anymore.i hope someone can translate this since i only know english.
hey nashmusic, wouldnt it be cool if we could set up a system of classes where immigrants and the rest of us could "trade" languages? not just learn one but we learn theirs while they learn ours? most colleges only teach spanish or french and maybe german. but they should focus on those languages of the immigrants that come here most. it would be cool to have a class of half english speakers and half ...well anything else in the same room helping each other.course thats just my opinion...
Not sure how that would effectively work though, Sir.I think they do that now and it's called ESOL. But from experience, it doesn't work. All it does is dole out federal dollars, that are used discretionarily and in the end, students are not improving their language skills. My neighbor's kid has been in ESOL since the 3rd grade and he's in the 7th grade now. Attempts have been made to immerse him in FULL English classes, but the school rejects the attempt.Poor kid will always be speaking literally at half of his ability. He's been conformed to mediocrity by the system.What a shame. But hey, if he needs to do official business in Nashville, he can request a translator to get it just right--even though English is the official language. LOL
Let's require that each day our General Assembly or council convenes, that they pick out a foreign language from a hat and conduct that day's business in the language. For you Dean supporters who won't understand, too bad.....Be fair and just, embrace diversity, walk-the-talk and learn that language.....!
Hey as a Latino, I am wondering---[attorney Gregg Ramos, a prominent immigrants’ rights advocate]What has Gregg done to defend the rights of immigrant children who are held hostage in a non-productive ESOL class? Gee Gregg I just remembered reading about in Nash Scene of the Year...Why did you Americanize your first name?Was it to fit in more in our culture?
nashmusic,You answered your own question about the class system and hard work. "My parents decided a better life for me, for them was in the US. We came through a VISA program. Worked hard, learned the culture, the language. Now I am an attorney. My parents own their own business. Through their church they help other immigrants learn English."Every other point you make is mute. Good luck to you
Hey producer, obviously from your writing, you are a candidate for an English refresher course.Mute is the speech impaired. I think you mean, moot!As re my point; yes it is hard work. So if an immigrant doesn't want to work hard, then either don't come here or better yet stay where you are.I am tired of working, earning a living and it being doled out to support the lazy.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious. You are correct that I did not put the correct verbiage in my last post. As yours move forward I start to understand your thought process. How is it linked to English Only is a stretch in my estimation but if it works for you so be it. Then again we dole out plenty of money to people who speak perfect English.....
I know a lot of people that voted against the English Only Admendment just because Eric Crafton was the one who proposed it. It may have pass if it were someone other than Eric Crafton that proposed it and backing it. I think Eric Crafton and Jason Dumbpower are either one and the same or quiet possibly were separated at birth.
I heard the Big Buffoon from Bellevue's twangy whine this morning on the radio. "wail, ah guess if Naishvul wants to become the San Francisco of the south...".Give it a rest, Eric. Go home and dream up some other hateful, polarizing nonsense issue to exploit and waste our time and resources with. Fortunately you'll have to wait three years, hopefully by then you'll be gone from public life.Kudos to Nashvillians for not endorsing the petty self-important hatefulness that made up the basis of EO.
And for the record, Crafton's own district in Bellevue voted AGAINST English Only.
Did you guys know nashmusic was born in Argentina, SO WERE HIS PARENTS!