America: Its Diversity and Language

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“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” (Lazarus). Lady liberty stands towering and majestic with an inscription of Emma Lazarus’ poem, The New Colossus. The “huddled masses yearning to breathe” refers to the dark slums and ghettos that were once found in Europe, and beckons those people to America where they may breathe and be free. Lady Liberty cries out to the homeless and those who couldn’t afford first class and endured a rough journey to America (tempest-tost). The light is always on to welcome refugees day or night as Lady Liberty lifts her lamp beside the golden door. America has been built upon immigration and open arms since July 4, 1776. English should not be declared the official language of the United States in order to let diversity and the Right of Individualism flourish along with the continuation of America’s core ideas of encompassing multilingualism. Except for Native Americans, every ‘American’, is a descendant of foreigners and immigrants. Even the English language originated from England! Brick by brick, diversity has built this country. For instance, the Articles of Confederation and other documents printed by the first Continental Congress were produced in English and German. “By the beginning of the 19th century, Polish, Norwegian, Italian, Dutch, and Czech all had bilingual education programs throughout the country through the National Education Association” (Kuechler, maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu). There is indignation over the very distinctive quality that made America noteworthy. It may be considered hypocritical to laude English... ... middle of paper ... ...the official language of the United States of America. Although the roots may be diverse, Americans unite because they are American. The diversity that has been maintained since the founding of America is a beautiful accomplishment to be cherished, not destroyed. Works Cited Anzaldua, Gloria. “How to Tame a Wild Tongue.” 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology. Ed. Samuel Cohen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004. 22-34. Print. Kuechler, Manfred. Social Sciences. n.d. Hunter College, March 1997. Web. 14 February 2014. Silko, Leslie Marmon. “Language and Literature from a Pueblo Indian Perspective.” 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology. Ed. Samuel Cohen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004. 346-357. Print. Tan, Amy. “Mother Tongue.” 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology. Ed. Samuel Cohen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004. 404-408. Print.

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