Today I had a bad experience with someone at the store and I
was talking Spanish to my mother on the phone. I walked by a few guys, and as
they heard me talking Spanish one of them shouted: "speak English you are
in America". I was really upset at his comment, because it showed how
ignorant he was. I am sure he thought that either I didn't speak any English or
that I was not going to go confront me and let him know that he was very rude
and ignorant for saying such remark. Now I wondered at that moment, why is he
living in a state that very militant and diverse? He should be used to
listening all types of languages. We are surrounded by Philippines, Samoans,
Hispanics and even Germans. So why was he so ignorant to say such condescending
statement? I am not sure, but I wonder if he was raised in a very rural town
which you don't really see cultural diversity. Which leads me to believe that
he was raised to tolerate other cultures but not accept them.
Reference:
Agius, E.; Ambrosewics, J (2003). Towards a Culture of Tolerance and Peace. Retrieved on May 31, 2012 from http://www.ibcr.org/editor/assets/thematic_report/5/2003_tolerance_peace.pdf
I would be angry @ a comment like that as well...it shows the lack of education he has in multiculturalism (and other aspects as well!!!)...this is a great example of why it is a great idea to implement such a program in our schools...children are the foundation of our future and if this is how they are growing up to behave, I don't see much of a bright future...
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