One thing is certain on this board; if you have strong opinions of controversial subjects (and sometimes not so controversial subjects), you will get flamed. Period. It's best not to take the "responses" too personally. Take a deep breath and remember it's most likely not meant as strongly as it comes across.
As far as language goes. After four years of taking Spanish in school (straight A's and I used to tutor other students), and losing much of my ability to speak it because of years of neglect, I am attempting to brush up on my skills again. My main motivation is I have started working at my son's school and most of the staff is Mexican. Well, being the Caucasian girl that I am (I hate the term "white") I am given the cold shoulder by much of the staff. The assumption being that I am some privileged white princess that doesn't know hardship or prejudice. I shared this with one of my Mexican coworkers and she agreed. Because she is very lighted skinned, she was also treated with an arm's distance until they found out she was Hispanic. So, she understood where I was coming from.
Little do they know that I grew up in a racially mixed neighborhood with lots of Mexican friends. I dated several Mexican men before I got married. My sister-in-law is Mexican and my two nieces are half Mexican. I worked with Hispanic bosses and had Hispanic subordinates. In short, I am very comfortable with, and have much knowledge about, Mexican culture (for a white girl, anyway). Oh well, I'm not going to sell myself to them. I'm just going to start talking Spanish like a MEXICAN. heh heh
Can you say...¡Buenos días, las Damas! ¿Cómo usted es? ¡Soy fantasic!
Do I think that people that come to live in the US speak English? Yes. There is no larger barrier than the inability to communicate. We may all be Americans, but if we can't communicate there is tremendous misunderstanding and suspicion. We are truly united by language. We may come from all parts of the world, but we come together by a common language. One may only glance to our northern neighbor, Canada, to see how polarizing this issue can be. Quebec was damn close to declaring itself it's own country with the primary disagreement being language.
I see this issue becoming more hotly debated in the future. As one of the hispanic students said to me, "My Mom doesn't speak English, and she doesn't wanna learn". I think that it's as much as a debate about culture(and possible loss of)as it is language.
And one more thing. When I can't understand someone because their English is heavily accented, I'm upfront and honest with them. "I am having a hard time understanding what you are saying because of your accent". I have never had anyone be offended yet. They usually speak a little slower and I listen a little harder. No big deal.
Andee