posted on June 9, 2006 04:26:19 PM new
Amen.......
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A sign in a landmark Philadelphia restaurant asking customers to order in English is sparking controversy in the metropolis known as the "City of Brotherly Love."
The owner of Geno's Steaks said on Thursday that the sign, "This is America -- when ordering speak English," is intended to encourage immigrants to learn the language and assimilate into U.S. society, but one Latino activist said it's racist.
The controversy comes amid a national debate over immigration in the United States. The U.S. Senate passed an immigration bill last month that includes a provision which would make English the national language.
"They should be glad that I put the sign up. I'm trying to help them to speak English," said Joey Vento, 66, whose grandparents moved to the United States from Italy. "Without the English language, they are going to have a lot of problems in this country.
"There is nobody who can say they are turned down because of the language," he added. "They can point if they want to."
The sign, which Vento posted at his cheese steak restaurant about six months ago and says he has no intention of removing, has made some people angry.
Roberto Santiago, executive director of Philadelphia's Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, said he was "appalled" by the policy.
"I think what's coming out of his mouth is racist," said Santiago. "He is saying, 'I don't like these brown faces in my community and I will do everything I can to get them out of there.'"
Santiago said he has urged Latinos to boycott Geno's Steaks, a fixture in South Philadelphia's Little Italy neighborhood which has seen an influx of Hispanic immigrants in recent years.
Vento denied that anyone would be refused service if they ordered one of the sliced beef-and-cheese sandwiches, a famed bit of cuisine in the Quaker-founded "City of Brotherly Love," in a language other than English.
Tony Luke, co-owner of competitor Tony Luke's restaurant, said Vento has taken "too much of a hard line" with non-English-speaking customers.
"You can't be expected to learn English in a week," he said. "We will be a lot more tolerant than that."
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
posted on June 9, 2006 05:16:49 PM new
The Santiago guy's gone overboard in his racist comments, that's for sure. On the other hand, the restaurant owner is trying to do business in a neighborhood that's undergoing ethnic change. Seems logical that if he wants to stay in business without moving, he'd do well to avoid pissing off the locals. His sign's just sending them all to the taqueria that's sure to open on his block any day now.
This is America. He's got a right to post that sign in his place. His customers have a right to eat someplace else, too.
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Now We Know... Uninformed People Elect Uninformed Presidents
posted on June 10, 2006 10:27:35 AM new
It is simple, speak English. This is our English speaking country and we are not mind readers. BUT you have to also work with understanding other languages as we ought to be a hospitable place to visit. Just like if we went to another country not knowing the language we would need tolerance or there would be no visiting other countries if all were as intolerant of our language. This is for visitors not residents who should at least try and learn the language enough to get by. So you see it can be a sticky situation either way you go.
That owner of restraunt has a right to put up any sign he wants free enterprise. That Santiago has a right to say what he wants , freedom of speach. But calling it racist is just another race card thrown in and I am so tired of hearing anything is racist. If things are racist it is all in the offended one's head. I am sick and tired of someone thinking things are racist because they are black or brown when they don't get their way, or job, or think they had to overcome the cotton fields or climb a tall fence or swim a shallow river. Don't take me wrong there are things that are true racism. This is America, home of the brave, and free and prosperous and many cultured nation so get over yourself and your self imposed racist reversed racist attitude and get along with your fellow American like the free to improve yourself person you should try to be. Not blaming others for your problems......... We ALL have problems work them out.
**************
I married my wife for her looks...but not the
ones she's been giving me lately!
posted on June 10, 2006 10:48:56 AM new
I betcha he doesn't get many people ordering his steak sandwiches with green chili and a side of beans anymore.
posted on June 10, 2006 08:28:34 PM new
I have been to Geno's 4 or 5 times. Best Philly Steak Sub anyone could ask for.
In Puerto Rico I saw a sign in a well known bar restaurant that says "THANKS AMERICA BILLIONS OF TIMES" Talking about the billions of dollars we send there every year. LOL
posted on June 10, 2006 10:23:49 PM new
The Hispanics who live and work in our little mountain town are all learning English. It's great to hear them working on it as they talk in the shops and restaurants. I really believe most of them want to speak English as well as possible. Our little library has ESL classes every Thursday night, and our international arts academy here has ESL for the students from all over the world--mandatory for the first year. By the end of the first year, they're writing essays that are pretty darned good--charming sometimes, too.
Unfortunately, some international parents have their kids audition to attend our academy just so they can stay for a year and learn English! I guess I can't blame the parents (who are willing to pay $25K for that year. But we hate to see them go.
posted on June 11, 2006 08:47:58 AM new
Sorry, but I don't disagree with the business owner in the sense that it is his business. It may not be a nice thing to do, but he doesn't have to be nice. IT'S HIS BUSINESS, not Santiago's.
Santiago, IMO, is just making it harder and harder for people to accept hispanic immigrants especially with the immigration debate going on right now. And people wonder why some (like me) feel they way they do about the issue.
posted on June 11, 2006 09:17:08 AM new
Canada used to have ONE official language, the language of the majority, English.
Canada has one Province where the majority are French speaking, one province out of of ten.
They, Quebecois, threatened to separate from Canada. Canada bent over and changed the laws of the Country and made Canada officially Bi-lingual, English & French. All official government will be in both languages.
Quebec then took it a step further and made the official language of Quebec French with English secondary.
Now if you live in or visit the Province of Quebec, you are expected to speak French and you will be served in French and all business will be done in French.
This is a good example in my opinion where allowing one small sector of the population the rights of their Mother tongue has changed the entire structure of the Government.
posted on June 11, 2006 10:12:07 AM new
mags, do you speak french?
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Now We Know... Uninformed People Elect Uninformed Presidents
posted on June 11, 2006 10:19:20 AM new
I speak French badly. But I can make myself understood. My children are tri-lingual and speak English, French and Spanish, fluently.
posted on June 11, 2006 10:33:44 AM new
good for your kids...I don't know how old your kids are, but regardless of one's position on immigration or official languages, it's clear that kids who only speak one language will be at a significant disadvantage in the future when it comes to employability. Like it or not, that's the way it's going to be. When we get Mexican kids here, I require them to speak english in class as soon as they're able, but encourage them to keep spanish and keep it well. It'll be an economic boon to them later.
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Now We Know... Uninformed People Elect Uninformed Presidents
posted on June 11, 2006 10:41:07 AM new
It was easy for us, Profe, their daddy is French, I am English, and we have relatives in Mexico and Costa Rica. Total immersion in French schools when they were young, time spent with family in Mexico and Costa Ricca gave them their Spanish, and English in the home. I taught my husband to speak English, he already spoke Spanish. It is a great benefit to speak several languages.
posted on June 11, 2006 12:36:37 PM new
I see more Mexicans in Southern California trying to learn English than vice versa. I agree that a second language is essential for all schoolchildren coming up through the ranks. Our daughter and husband first taught their baby at about 4 months some American Sign Language so he could signal to them when he wanted more, was through eating and wanted no more food, could say thank you and please, etc. Cut 'WAY down on the crying.
And they both speak fairly good Spanish and have used that along with English for their little boy. One set of grandparents is Japanese, and he's learned some Japanese, too. He's a very smart little guy, 4 1/2 now, and I know for certain that the Spanish he's been learning will be valuable for him in the future.
