In his piece Speaking a Public Language, Richard Rodriguez described his childhood as difficult, and often scary, when he was unable to speak English. His responses to questions were often mumbled as he was resisting his teacher’s duty to teach him English, a duty to teach him a public language. His resistance persisted, making his education and more burdensome and delaying his learning of societ

Like Richard Rodriguez, I had English problem and cultural conflict when I began to go to kindergarten. I was raised first on Tagalog then English as typical Pilipino would in the Philippines. However, I had a difficult time in school because I couldn’t communicate well. Soon, my public life clashed with my private one and English took over. I got stuck in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes and I was more able over the years to convey myself to the public at the expense of my ethnic language. I did get to keep my customs at home. Now as a young man I can say this was for the best. English is king here in America, not Tagalog or any other language. Dead white males set the standard 200+ years ago and I am obligated to speak it in public. I can do whatever I want in my home and ethnic community; that’s a private matter. For the most part, I am unsympathetic for those who won’t speak English here or impose their culture and complain about not being treated “equally” in public. It’s their own fault for not doing their part to be understood in public or following the social norm. They too are obligated to follow the mainstream Anglo-based culture. They are not a disabled person. These people who complain have the opportunity to fit in without limitations. Disabled people can’t do as much or anything about their problems; they have a legitimate limitation and disadvantage. If anyone should be complaining about fitting in, it should be disabled people.

I think Richard Rodriguez’s dual identity is a great idea, but

Some topics in this essay:
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