Polimom’s really astounded by the suggestion that the National Anthem can only be sung in English. To support that, one would have to totally overlook our entire history.
Yet the argument is raging nonetheless, which leads me to conclude that folks think they just sprang up from dragon teeth, planted in American soil by some kind of Johnny Appleseed version of mythology’s Jason.
Or perhaps they think that their families learned English by some mysterious osmosis, or from the miraculous American water….?
As it happens, Polimom’s family didn’t manage things quite that way. Some of my immigrant (great great) grandparents didn’t speak English, and even their children spoke it with a very heavy accent.
My grandfather, who was either third of fourth generation American (depending upon which line you trace), was the first generation to speak English as his native language, and he remained fluent in Swedish and German. That’s normal, folks; unless all branches of your family came from England, they struggled with English also.
Yes, I realize there’s a remixed Spanish version of the National Anthem due out in June that adds pro-illegal-immigration language, but do you really see that as more damaging or insulting than Roseanne Barr’s rendition?
Leave a Reply Cancel Reply
Read Next
Houston’s Mayor White has taken a lot of heat for opening the city to the deperate evacuees last year. (One would think there was some other option?) In terms of Katrina, what he did is a testimony to his humanity, …
For purposes of this post, Polimom wants to focus on Mexico. No matter how many ways I look at the illegal immigration issues, and the House v. Senate approaches, I can’t help feeling we’re missing the boat. For any solution …
The other day at the pool, while watching our daughters practice for a swim meet, Polimom talked with another mother — a mom I met last year when our kids became friends. Our daughters swim the same heats in the …
Here we go again with the English language / assimilation yammer: WASHINGTON — American civilization eventually will collapse if government doesn’t do a better job assimilating immigrants into society, possible GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said Wednesday as he urged …
Funny that our American National Anthem is sung in the language of our former oppressors, the English …
I don’t mind it being sung in another language but don’t change the words.