The Struggle Towards a Democratic Nation Essay -- essays papers

The Struggle Towards a Democratic Nation cultivation Position PaperThe Struggle Towards a Democratic NationImperialism of champion sort or another has been occurring for centuries around the world. In the U.S. a ad hoc form of imperialism is in full effect that is less pronounced than the normative physical imperialism. Linguistic imperialism occurs when a dominant group imposes their vocabulary on another, and within the United States this imperialism has been occurring through English. English is the language sink up by the American society to be the dominant ex officio language. America is supposed to be the melting pot of different languages and cultures exactly there is a specific connection between English speakers and self-confidence over non-English speakers. From this relationship a hierarchy develops in which those who are the substitute English speaker in America (Caucasian), are more permit and more accept in society than non-English speakers normally of color . Bilingual fosterage brings this topic to light because it is a governmental supported idea that baseally forces non-English speakers to learn English. As children grow out of bilingual procreation they depend to have two choices move a musical mode from their own culture and assimilate, or retain their culture but dont be recognized by society. Of course these choices arent always so clear-cut and lots the results are varied, but a conflict remains. This topic is explored in Americo Paredes novel George Washington Gomez, when the question is raised, is it possible for a non-white non-English speaking mortal to call on educated in America without losing their ethnic identity. The main book of facts in this book Gualinto explores what it means to be Mexican-American and what that term means to him after(prenominal) being educated. Also my own experiences of the effects of linguistic imperialism and bilingual teaching in the California school system have lent to this paper . in conclusion all this information asks the question Does the dominant white power organize and bilingual education in the U.S. allow non-English speakers, normally of color, to retain their ethnic identity? The migration of the English to America and the even uptual formation of the colonies led to the social organization of ingenuousness as an ideology of privilege and dominance. Literature from this period shows how whiteness became the represen... ...tural identity. The English language and linguistic imperialism attribute to this situation. While bilingual education is a way to assimilate non-English speakers into American culture, English and its place in the white dominant society, creates a possibility of forgetting ones culture or even self hatred. Like Gualinto many students find that the only real way to become upwardly mobile is to completely forget their heritage and become utterly American even if that means becoming whitewashed. Educators and novice minds alike will need to observe data and strive diligently toward a nation not dominated by white elitists but by open-minded educated people intent on the basic tenement of U.S. Democracy Equality. BibliographyWorks CitedBabb, Valerie. Whiteness Visible. New York New York University Press, 19987 April 2002 Mclaren, Peter, and Carlos J. Ovando. The Politics of Multiculturalism and Bilingual Education. Boston McGraw-Hill, 2000. Paredes, Americo. George Washington Gomez. Houston Arte Publico, 1990.United States. Dept. of Justice. Immigration and naturalization Service. Law Enforcement and Border Management. 1999. 1 April 2002.