I get ya. One of my friends is a 4th grade teacher. She did so well with a bilingual child last year they stuck 6 in her class this year and 3 of them are not Spanish speaking. We really do need an 'official' language here and those who do not speak it should learn to do so before going into public schools. Across the line in Alabama (really close to my house) they have many because they have a large population of migrants who sort of spend a lot of the year there due to the variety of crops and their picking times. It's crazy in some of their schools.

We went through some tension in the '70's when the Vietnamese and Laotians came here. That died down in a pretty fast manner and you don't hear them griping about everything and you do not see them in the WIC office or paying for their groceries with a federal credit card. We have a large community of them here and you don't see them on the streets. They're working. Most are in the fishing industry and that caused some concern in the beginning but they overcame it to be well respected. They never tried to cram any of their language or culture down our throats either.

The point that really sticks with me is there is no real fairness in all of the mess. Everyone has a right to be proud of their heritage. That includes those born with deep roots in the Confederacy. Most of those who fought with the Confederacy had roots in the soil a whole lot longer than some being given preferential treatment now. The BHM is ok as long as there's an understanding that there's others who also have a month to celebrate but the 'powers that be' won't even let that be a teaching tool. That's just wrong. If I need to press 1 for English, I hang up and send an email telling them that. Most companies or whatever call me after the email. I give my phone number but do not state the reason for my call. I just tell them why I hung up.

Pam