An Audience of One

It was incredibly difficult to watch this film and think of it in the context of this assignment and separate my feelings as a parent. Without even thinking about it (for the most part), I help shape my sons' sense of identity and community through our family. I don't give much thought to the language we speak, but if our right to speak in the language of our choice was taken away, it would definitely affect our identity and culture. The same can be said for the clothes we wear or the food we eat - we pass down our values and our culture through choices that are made almost unconsciously. It is not until those choices are made by someone else that we really become aware of how important they are.

As I watched the film, several scenes reminded me of the current debate over illegal immigration. How many times have you heard someone say "we speak English here" or "learn our language"? Was that not one of the first lessons taught to the sisters at Moore River? I recently discussed pending legislation in New Mexico on Facebook and one of the responses I received was, "I'm a softie. I'd forgive them if they stopped waving foreign flags and could carry on a conversation in English." Comments such as these are similar to the ones described in Gloria Anzaldua's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue". She remembers a teacher telling her, "If you want to be American, speak 'American'. If you don't like it, go back to Mexico where you belong" (Anzaldua 78). I don't see much difference in the comment posted on Facebook and the one offered by Anzaldua's teacher. I'm a softie. I'd forgive them if they stopped waving foreign flags and could carry on a conversation in English. I'm a softie. I'd forgive them if they stopped waving foreign flags and could carry on a conversation in English." Comments such as these are similar to the ones described in Gloria Anzaldua's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue". She remembers a teacher telling her, "If you want to be American, speak 'American'. If you don't like it, go back to Mexico where you belong" (Anzaldua 78). I don't see much difference in the comment posted on Facebook and the one offered by Anzaldua's teacher.