All Citizens Speak English, according to Latina New Bruns Councilwoman/Mdlsx Freeholder

by: kwilkinson

Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 12:13:33 AM EST

Dual officeholder Blanquita Valenti, New Brunswick Councilwoman and Middlesex County Freeholder responded at yesterday's NB council meeting, when asked why campaign lit wasn't in Spanish and English (after some sotto voce comments from others - council, counsel, administrators or whoever else on the panel - about "them' not being citizens):

If they don't speak English, they can't become citizens.

Um, some people gain citizenship, like I did, by being born here. Truly astounding from the woman who purports to represent the hispanic community in New Brunswick and the county, and who also represents a county with monolingual Korean, Chinese, Hindi, (probably Urdu and Gujarati for all I know) speakers who are citizens, in substantial numbers.

Kudos to the Rutgers student who responded at the meeting, though she missed his point on the education system, resting on whatever laurels she has from back in the day for setting up bilingual education.

Makes me worry about the upcoming nat'l immigration debate.

New Brunswick City Council Meeting Nov 4th: Valenti Says Only Those Who Speak English Can Vote from Daniel Dalonzo on Vimeo.

kwilkinson :: All Citizens Speak English, according to Latina New Bruns Councilwoman/Mdlsx Freeholder

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All Citizens Speak English, according to Latina New Bruns Councilwoman/Mdlsx Freeholder | 3 comments

While I disagree with Valenti's premise (0.00 / 0)

that we needn't provide bilingual voter materials, she is right: to become a naturalized citizen and obtain the right to vote, you DO need to demonstrate proficiency at reading, writing, speaking and understanding English. From the INS website:

"During your naturalization eligibility interview, a USCIS officer will test your ability to read, write, and speak English (unless you are exempt from the English requirements). You will also be given a civics test in English (to test your knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government) unless you are exempt. Even if exempt from the English test, you will need to take the civics test unless you qualify for a waiver. "

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/si...

by: denniscmcgrath @ Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 14:46:25 PM UTC

I'd like to ask her why does she think, under civil rights law, we have requirements to have voting materials in other languages? (4.00 / 1)

Under federal law, Middlesex County is requred to have voting materials in Spanish.

She misses the point. I don't dispute that there is a test, as she says 'it's a fact', but it doesn't mean that people are able to vote on subtly worded ballot questions and/or follow instructions that may or may not be well written in English. And not everyone takes a test to become a citizen.

by: kwilkinson @ Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 17:24:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Let's Face The Truth (0.00 / 0)

There is a very large stripe of ignorance based bigotry and hate in the public, and no shortage of evil shit faced politicians eager to suck up support from the fearful.

The technical truth is indeed as Dennis states; but the actual in depth gut level essential truth is far closer to what kwilkinson is saying here.

The really insideous/clever pols find ways to appeal to bigotry in indirect ways that allow people a sliver of a "rationale" so they don't have to face the ugly truth about what's really motivating them.

There are very very few out and out bigots/racists these days....folks are rightly ashamed to be that out about it..........and I suppose that's some kind pf progress; but let's not kid ourselves, the divides are still there.

It'll take generations to really get this garbage cleaned up (thank God for mortality, eh?) ......meanwhile, let's do all we can to fight it in the present.

by: Nick Lento @ Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 18:05:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]