My husband immigrated to this country in 1963 from Mexico legally, and he set about learning English. My father came here from France in 1933, and he learned English immediately.
What really upsets me the most right now is the Spanish version of the national anthem. The United States has one national anthem. It was written by Frances Scott Key. There is no hoop-de-ha that goes along with our national anthem. It is solemn. It's a big deal to get it right, and so many have burst into tears over messing it up at ball games. It is sung in English and only English. It's a tribute to our country. One doesn't change it. It all comes down to respect — respect of America and Americans.
I think that if the people who want so much to become citizens would learn our language and respect America and Americans, we wouldn't have this problem. We have our culture, American culture. People shouldn’t try to change us or our national anthem to suit them. They need to become more like us, not us more like them. I shouldn't be forced to learn another language. They came here, just as my father did. He learned the language. So can they. My husband learned the language. So can they.
Respect us. We will respect them.
— Denise Gamboa, Camarillo
Leave a comment