English Only foes hope to lull Eric Crafton to sleep, then deliver a knockout punch
by Jeff Woods
Pssssst. We'll let you in on a little secret. Foes of Eric Crafton's English Only initiative are waging a campaign to defeat the Jan. 22 referendum and save the city from yet another national embarrassment.
If you didn't know this—and not many people do only 16 days before early voting begins—then the game plan is working.
It's a rope-a-dope strategy, with the city's so-called progressives playing the tricky Muhammad Ali to Crafton's hapless George Foreman in the famous Rumble in the Jungle.
In the rope-a-dope gambit, as all boxing fans know, one pugilist puts himself in what appears to be a losing posture, laying in wait with a surprise knockout punch.
To this point, progressives are certainly playing their part well. Like Ali on the ropes, they look like big losers.
That's intentional, they say. They're actually working quietly in the trenches to win the referendum on whether to force Metro to conduct all business in English.
The idea is to lull the city's many xenophobes into a false sense of security so they stay home while everyone else pours to the polls to seize victory for a better day.
This strategy, risky as it may be, has the added benefit of being the cheap choice. To wage a full-blown campaign with TV ads and rallies, etc., would have cost much more than anyone wanted to try to raise.
Grizzled veterans of Nashville's political wars are scratching their heads over whether it'll work. Here's the question: Can a gang of lefties and hippies actually manage to pull their heads out of the clouds long enough to find enough votes to beat a referendum?
The English Only opponents originally envisioned some kind of grand public education campaign involving love and hope and harmony.
But at one early organizing meeting, an insider recalls, "A few of us old campaign farts started wandering into the room and the first thing we said was, 'Look that's all great, but most people don't like immigrants. Most people think every immigrant they see is here illegally taking their jobs and raping their kids.'
"So we said, 'Unless you've got millions of dollars for a major public education campaign, you're going to lose. Instead of trying to change the world, why don't you just get out there and find enough votes to win?' "
At this point, some twentysomething do-gooder raised his hand and offered this bright idea: "What we should do is make Crafton think we're disorganized."
"That won't be hard to do," one old fart thought.
Since then, instead of making speeches about the evils of intolerance, hippies at Nashville's Peace and Justice Center have been staffing phone banks in search of supporters. They hope to raise around $200,000 to send some mail. They've mounted a surprisingly successful effort to round up help from Nashville's churches. More than 100 ministers have signed a petition against English Only.
"We come from a variety of religious traditions," the petition says, "but we are united in our opposition to the English First amendment. We consider it to be unjust, inhospitable and detrimental to the well-being of our community. We urge our fellow Nashvillians to defeat this measure once and for all."
Even some evangelicals, not typically touchy-feely on immigration, have joined the cause. Fiscal conservatives have good reason to oppose English Only because the special election is costing Metro at least $350,000.
"People are coming out of the woodwork to fight this thing and show that Nashville is better than this," says one organizer, attorney Gregg Ramos. "Eric Crafton is trying to drive a wedge into the city. But in a perverse way, he's bringing good groups together. Churches, unions, big business, the Chamber of Commerce—we're all pulling together."
Ramos is probably overstating his support. But turnout is certain to be low, so it won't take many votes to win. If opponents are better organized, they have a realistic chance of pulling this off.
The city's leaders are predicting all sorts of dire consequences if the measure passes. In a speech to the council, Mayor Karl Dean warned it would hurt the economy.
"Under the charter amendment," he said, "if Nashville wanted to communicate with a foreign-based company to encourage them to come to Nashville—and the recent announcement of Volkswagen in Chattanooga is a good example of the significance that could have—if we wanted to do that communication, whether it's a letter or conversation in person in the company's native language, we wouldn't be able to."
Luckily, English Only is clearly unconstitutional because it discriminates against people based on national origin, as the Metro law department has opined. It wouldn't take a judge too long to toss it out.
Comments (22)
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This bill isn't about english only. Its really about xenophobia. While I do agree that English should be our official language, I cannot support this bill because of all the racisim and hate behind it. Unfortunately a large percentage of voters who support this bill are only signing it to oppose immigrants.
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This is the USA. When people come here to live they need to expect to learn the ways and the language. As a nation we have bent over backwards long enough to accomodate everyone else. Let them make an effort to learn the ways of their "new" homeland. If I chose to live in another country I wouldn't expect them to cater to my every whim, I'd either learn the language or go back "home", or better yet, I'd stay "home" to start with.
I don't think it is too much to ask that we not have to learn a dozen other languages in order to help the citizens of our state.
Most people are not against immigrants, but the ones who come here illegally are a problem for everyone in this country. Or any country where this happens. If a person is here legally they have to have a working knowledge of the English language at a third grade level and a few other requires. So why should we as citizens have to hire people to speak another language to do business with them. This hurts smaller businesses because it causes their payroll to increase and insurance rates and all that go with business. We have to print signs in their language etc, etc, etc. So if the person does not or will not speak English they are probably here with proper papers. I work for a company that has had to hire translators because of the volume of illegals. One case in point, I was talking to a young male. He asked if anyone spoke Spanish. I stated no they were at lunch. He said ok, he needed to see a doctor. I asked if he had insurance, he states no. I asked if he had a social security number to register him, he states no. So I asked to see his drivers license or his green card for proper ID purposes. He said he did not have them either. So I asked who brought him or did he ride the bus. He states that he drove. This is not the exception to the rule, this is the rule! They have flooded the TennCare program to the point that our citizens, who need the care, cannot get it because of the illegals who are getting the money for free healthcare and prenatal and delivery care for their children being born here. Illegals are killing our healthcare systems all across the country. So the ones here who do not speak our language and who do not respect of values and way of life need to go back to their countries and clean them up instead of bring our country down to their level. They need to at least show an effort that they want a better way of life then the way they were living in their countries.
The english only initiative is very reasonable as it just requires those who want to come here and be a part of American society to learn our language. Those who dont obviously dont want to be a part of American society and just become a drain on it. My ancesters came over and had to assimilate by learning the language, they were given no special concessions and they were not catered to, they worked hard learned the language and became true Americans that fought and were proud of their country. You called them xenophobes (name calling really does you no good) which is incorrect, if these immigrants had no ill will towards America then they would have no problem coming here legaly and learning the language and being proud to do so. Those who protest are illegals or supporters of illegals who come here and become leaches upon society, and they could care less about America. They drain our resources, destroy our schools, undercut our wages and bankrupt our hospitals. Over 9000 Americans are killed each year by illegal immigrants. That is like three 911's a year. Wouldnt it be wonderful if we could stop this plague upon the American people. English only is a start. We must purge society of the illegals who hurt it. They are all criminals by the very first step they take into America, and they continue their criminal activity every day they are here. They steal our idenities and credit cards. They destroy our neighborhoods by bringing gangs, drugs, prostitution and crime. Every second they are here they endanger all of us. Those that come to America the legal way enrich our society, their first act is to show that they want to be good law abiding citizens by doing it the right way, the American way. They are cheated by those who dont do it the right way. So you continue your campaign against english only and against the American way. We will continue ours to Safegaurd American lives and to enrich the lives of all American citizens and our legal immigrant brothers.
I think this story mischaracterizes the opposition to the English only amendment. Rather than being driven primarily by (God love ‘em) the Nashville Peace and Justice Collation, the powerful push against the backwards bill is coming from some very square places, including the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, which is only mentioned in an off-hand way at the bottom of the piece. Mayor Dean who is a democrat, but has never to the best of my knowledge had dreadlocks and hasn’t recently sported a braid or unkempt beard, is also in strong opposition. The fact is, lots of very mainstream people think the bill will cost the city money, damn the human rights. I think being an open culture is a good idea, but that won’t be the force behind a possible defeat of the misguided amendment.
English Only, is not only a good thing, but a vital thing. A country that has more than one common language, cannot stand for very long. Think about it, if all immigrants to this country demanded to use their own language, where would we be right now? We'd be speaking German, Spainish, Gealic, Scott, Polish, Swiss, you name it. A country must have a common language, period. There will be no end to the demands for uses of foriegn languages if it it does not stop here, and now. In this day and age when communication is vital to national security, we must all be able to speak and understand on the same level. Wake Up America!!!
Since this charter amendment is unconstitutional - and anyone with any knowledge of the law knows that - it's clear that this campaign is about "sending messages". Let's all line up with Eric Crafton and prove to the world that Nashville is as backward as the national media thinks it is.
I think if I was going to live in another country I would learn to speak their language which is just common sense. I belive strongly that if someone moves to the USA that they should be required to speak English our native language since they chose to live here. I do not think it should be a requirement of US citizens that were born here to learn all these other languages. I think the immigrants should be proud to be here in the first place and there are so many organizations now that teach English that they it is a good day to learn. If they are here illegally go away.
This bull...English only will win. People who come to Amercia need to learn our language.. Go spread you crap someone else.
I came here when I was 15 from Europe and did not know a word of English. The first thing I did was LEARN ENGLISH! As an immigrant, it makes me sick to see people come here and not bother to learn English. If you've been here for at least a year, and don't know how to communicate or even bother to learn, then GO BACK TO THE COUNTRY YOU CAME FROM! No one can tell me I don't know what it's like, because I do. I've been there. I learned. I think it's insane that we should even have to spend money to make a law to make English the official language. What country is this? United States! We speak English, correct? How does this need to be a law? Why should we spend money creating literature, and hiring people to speak to people in other languages because they're too lazy to learn. If you don't want to learn, that's fine. It's your right. But then, don't expect anyone to communicate with you or help you when you need it. You want to isolate yourself, be my guest, as long as I don't have to pay more taxes to support your lazy butt! People who can't speak English should not be able to get a driver's license, get government help, or medical help. I did it. Thousands of people immigrate legally and correctly in this country every year. Let's welcome them. For those who don't, I have no pity. Sorry, I worked hard, and expect everyone else to do the same. Get a life, or go home! Period
We need English only so this dam country doesn't turn into some dam bananna republic. Hasta La Vista me.
the entire country should be English why let these filthy blood $ucking cockroaches get special privileges?! they are here illegally ! if we are going to allow Spanish then I want Russian Chinese Japanese French German Italian...every language to be implemented on every phone service every box of food every toy every damn Bank! as well as every document in every gov and public building. it makes me sick what you liberal scum are doing to this country and what you are doing to bow down to these criminals just to gain a vote press 1 for this
I am neither a xenophobe, nor anti-immigration. As a matter of fact, I am the product of a union between a Spanish-American mother and German-American father. I speak English and Spanish and married an immigrate from Europe who has been a legal resident here since the mid 90's. My son is the product of a rich and diverse heritage of American, European, and Spanish. Eric Crafton's English First initiative is not contradictory to any heritage, race, religion, country origin or preferred language. It is a move to bind our community by providing a common language for everyone doing business with Metro Government. Having one language first make us stronger and guarantees that we have a common understanding of one another. It is a step in the right direction to help those coming to America to better achieve the American dream. This is why I support English First as a citizen of Nashville and a decedent of proud American immigrants. "Language tethers us to the world; without it we spin like atoms." Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld
In the long run, it is very costly for governments to provide separate instructions etc,in different languages for a lot of reasons, ie, printing costs, seperate immigrants forming enclaves that don,t learn the language of their adopted country, and inhibiting the assemilation into the nation. Doing what seems to be the easiest way,eventually winds up being extremely more expensive for the country and restricts the unity of the country.
this country is known for freedom . that should be in any language you want to speak.
If you live in this sountry, you speak our language. I spent a week in Mexico, knowing only emergency words. This is my opinion,
I am sorry the bill die not pass...If you live in this country, you speak English! That is my opinion! God Bless You!
I am sorry the bill die not pass...If you live in this country, you speak English! That is my opinion! God Bless You!
I am sorry the bill die not pass...If you live in this country, you speak English! That is my opinion! God Bless You!
I am sorry the bill die not pass...If you live in this country, you speak English! That is my opinion! God Bless You!
I believe that the English Only amendment failed because voters were not well informed about the vote (I only heard about it the day before the vote) and those who were did not understand what the true objectives of the English language movement are (or at least what I understand them to be since I only found out about the movement about a month ago). People who are against this movement spread it about that it is all about intolerance and exclusion. It is actually the opposite. From what I understand, this movement is not in any way a fight about intolerance. The people who support this movement believe that anyone of any race, color, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or age who follows our immigration laws and who wants to become a productive, law-abiding, patriotic citizen is welcomed to become a fellow American. A part of this “welcoming of new members” process is teaching new people about our ways of doing things. After all, that is at least part of why many, many people want to become citizens of the United States—because our system of government and our society has been largely successful. Tolerance is demonstrated in giving new citizens time and resources to learn our language, laws and customs. Tolerance does not mean that we must change many of our ways to accommodate new people, especially only one group of people. We invite people to learn about our customs, to learn our language, to become one of us. This is no more or less than what we ourselves would be willing to do if we were to request to become a citizen of another country. In addressing the issue of tolerance I use the example of a family adopting a child. In these situations, tolerance is demonstrated in the use of understanding and patience while the new member adjusts to the family’s customs and rules. The family adjusts to make room for the new member and makes adjustments for any special needs of the new member, but in the end the new member is expected to learn the ways of the family and to adjust to those ways while retaining his or her own individuality. In this way, he or she becomes “one of the family”. Also, it is my understanding that the main objective of this movement is to decrease divisiveness in the United States and that one of the things that is currently dividing our country is differences in language. Language can be a very definite, strong barrier between people. By affirming once and for all that English is the only official language of the United States and that every citizen must know English, they are attempting to remove a damaging force in society. They are not trying to exclude. On the contrary, they are trying to include. They want to include all citizens into the American culture, to expand the feeling of national identity.
