English Only Pennsylvania: The New Political Lumpenproletariat

exfordyThe English-only signs that had me running across the street to Pat’s for a cheesesteak are back. This time they are coming from a place of prominence and importance in Pennsylvania state government.  Representative Scott Perry and RoseMarie Swanger are sponsoring English-Only Bills that they say are meant to unify the state.  Either they are ignorant of America’s inclusive doctrine for growth or just ignorant of our racist history, but these bills are again dividing people over cultural differences and display how out of touch with reality our politicians are.

The whole episode brought the idea of Lumpenproletariat.  This is a Marxist term I have not heard thrown around in a while.  Cynthia Tucker’s The Rich Hold a Special Place with GOP reminded me of its relevance in the political battles of ideology causing obstacles in our democratic system. In Marx’s time it was meant for the lowest class of prostitutes, homeless or drug dealers who would be no help to the working class struggles for equity in Capitalism. Today the meaning runs the gambit to anyone who is outside of the economic realities that create society’s hierarchy. When we hear the word today it is meant for the very rich who continue to amass huge amounts of capital and power regardless of the market, war, or societal unrest. This is very much part of the counter argument to the GOP’s claim that the wealthy help create jobs for the lower classes. The very wealthy care to create jobs as much as the drug dealers.

When politicians make ridiculous statements about amassing unity through language consensus, they are part of the lumpenproletariat. In fact, Washington this week, with its ridiculous argument over FEMA funds resulting in another promised government shutdown, displays how our politicians are the newest definition of lumpenproletariat. When they say things that alienate one voting group against another to ensure political longevity or continue to play the politics of rhetoric while real Americans suffer, they are no longer part of solving the economic and social problems that are tearing the fabric of unity.

But to appease these Philistines, who believe humans should only be capable of speaking in one tongue, I want to just show the benefits of learning another language. I also want the politicians to know that most government documents are available online and at public libraries, and the cost to translate them into Spanish, French, Swahili, or Chinese is just a click of a translate button by Microsoft or Google and maybe one translator to proofread them. This is small price to pay, literally, especially for people who work and pay taxes for the politicians’ salary.  We want all Americans to take an active part in our democracy, regardless of race, gender, and language. This Scott Perry and RoseMarie Swanger is the path to true unity.

But if politicians want to do good for their constituents, please support learning languages in our schools and promote bi-tri-and quad-lingualism in Pennsylvania, so we will benefit from tourism and a heightened sense of hospitality for immigrants looking to start new lives and businesses in America.   

Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Now ask yourself if your politician is part of the new definition of the lumpenletariet. 

Comments

[Patrick Edmonds]

The worst thing my education ever taught me is that English is a superior language and learning a second one was essentially a waste of time.

There's a certain irony that the country that arguably has the most languages spoken is also the country that its natural born citizens are also the least language diverse. Another irony is that other countries that actual have a national language, or at least a regional dialect, are far more likely to force their students to take a second language, usually English, starting in elementary school.

I think there's this fear that another language will somehow replace English as the most important or influential in America. Whereas other countries have had national languages for years, and therefore never fear it being lost no matter how early they teach their children English, America continues to fear the loss of their defacto language.

It's interesting to consider if America simply nationalized English, would we finally move on and accept other languages for their cultural value? Possibly, would we then be willing to start teaching other languages in elementary school as well? In the right hands I think such a plan could work, but I fear the current xenophobia reigning in certain political circles would override any sensibility such an approach might have.

Thanks for the lunch!