Newt: Mira mi ghetto

The fear and ugly that spews from people should stop surprising me and making me sad and angry. A few days ago Newt Gingrich was quoted as saying bilingual education is learning the “language of living in a ghetto.” He called English “the language of prosperity.” And while I agree that in our land of great, knowing what someone is saying and understanding documents and law are key to thriving, is there really a need to diss bilingualism? And, aren’t there many languages of prosperity?

Why so much fear?

Once a week I get together with two Latina friends. We habla a little Spanish — not enough — and we watch our girls play and laugh.

Five out of six of their parents were born in the United States.

Their hearts beat to the rhythms created by ancestors who were: Cuban, Spanish, Irish, Scottish, Norwegian, French, Dominican, German, Swedish, African, Native American, English, Mexican and Greek.

Two are bilingual. One is trilingual.

They are America.

And they will thrive.