When you hear or see an ad for a proposition what is the first thing that comes to mind? I think of an immediate change for the better and would otherwise believe what is being said about it.
But....
But....
That all changed when i became familiar with Proposition 203, an older proposition that was easily passed about 6 years ago. Basically, this is a proposition that set out to minimize the amount of Spanish spoken in schools K-12th grade. It is also a proposition designed to diminish the threat of another dominant language in Arizona. So, when Proposition 203 was passed, it basically banned bilingual teaching in public schools and made English the dominant language.
Now, besides the obvious, what is wrong with this proposition being passed in the state of Arizona?
Well, for one, this new law ignores the long terms affects of eventually abolishing diversity in classrooms. It is also is not as specific as would be necessary to enforce it properly. A few examples of this are the facts that it doesn't address standard American Sign Language or the 21 Native American languages that have been spoken in Arizona for many generations. This law was put in place for reasons that can only be described as ignorant. For example, it was purposefully misleading to the public because of actual reasons behind it being implemented. This could have also been the reason why it was actually passed in not only Arizona, but, California as well. As if that's not enough, this law doesn't give parents to opt out of it like its some kind of program. It's a statewide law that forces Spanish speaking students, who may not understand English as well as they should, into all English classes where the teachers may not instruct in any other language.
So, the state of Arizona allowed Proposition 203 to be a law and lead people to believe in this decision because they said that these programs were wasting tax payers money. Because our politicians don't waste our money that we pay in taxes at all, and we probably wouldn't want to allow there to be any kind of waste of the states hard earned money. I actually think that this interesting idea is one of the best ,because students usually learn better when their education and rights are stripped form them because they fall into a certain stereotype. Don't you agree?
My idea for change was to keep the bilingual programs, but, actually put time and energy into them and get the kids speaking English fluently at a younger age. That way it will be easier for them to transition into all English classes and be treated like their fellow peers while being submerged into the English language slowly.
My whole point of this was to express my feelings about the topic of Proposition 203 and allow others to stop and think about long-term affects of their decisions. Not only the effects of the decisions, but, WHO is being affected. If not you, then who? Because someone is feeling the negative repercussions of the passing of this law. I would also like to show that not all things are the way they seem. Spanish being spoken in primarily English schools won't necessarily hurt any of the students, but instead, will allow them to experience different cultures other than their own. Also, the full truth of this proposition was not expressed to the public, and as a result it was passed under misleading pretences. It's like this wire fence. Alone it is nothing more than plain metal keeping something out. But, with the presence of ohter things such as plants and flowers it becomes more than a barrier.
It's too bad that my sarcasm can't reach more people who have control over laws like these. Also, it's unfortunate that the residents of Arizona feel so threatened by another language that they think this law will help rebuilt the perfect bubble that they live their lives in daily.
-Noel
Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you have any ideas or opinions please express them in the form of a comment.
