News and views from the award-winning author of the novels The Skinny Years, America Libre, House Divided and Pancho Land

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Spanish is not welcomed in Culpeper County

In recent years, residents in Culpeper County Virginia have complained about Spanish-language signs at local businesses. Apparently, the presence of these signs has so offended the native-born population that lawmakers in the county are making sure everyone knows Spanish is not welcomed. In a unanimous decision last week, the county enacted several resolutions to affirm Culpeper's English-speaking primacy.

“We just wanted to clarify that this was an English-speaking county and make sure we reflected that," said Supervisor Bill Chase to the Washington Post. "I think we all came from foreign countries and turned into English-speaking Americans," he said. "But I don't feel a willingness of this particular group to do that. I don't see the willingness to blend into society."

I’m sure the county's new measures that openly discriminate against the Spanish language will make the newcomers feel much more welcome and willing to blend in.

Raul Ramos y Sanchez