Arizona's back to the racism.

[KabeRinnaul]

Arizona no longer the Sunshine State, is instead now the Racism State.

I wouldn't think this was actually allowed. Never mind that - despite Arizona's opinions - we do not have English as an official language, this just reminds me of the literacy tests used to keep African Americans out of voting before the civil rights movement. While granted, the article indicates her grasp of the language is exceptionally poor, shouldn't her election be left to the voters, rather than just blocking Spanish-speaking citizens from office?

[SkullKing]

"The ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language sufficiently well to conduct the duties of the office without aid of an interpreter shall be a necessary qualification for all state officers and members of the state legislature," a section of the act reads.

I do not see the problem with this. To be honest seems like common sense.

And what do you mean about not having english as an official language?

even if most people speak primarily Spanish, Arizona is part of a grater whole, and I think it makes sense to say that the government of Arizona need to be able to easily interact with the rest of the whole.

I think that even if you disagree there is a logic to it. And you are pulling the racist card a little to early.

That said, I do not live in Arizona and thus have no idea how widespread racism is there, but this is my perspective as an outsider.

[Daskinor]

On a federal level there is no official language for the USA. So there is not language requirement to hold office, file paperwork, etc..

But in Arizona, they have a Official State law saying English is the official language. So everything must be done in English at an official level. So a DMV test in theory is English Only.

Remember this is a state with a very high percentage of Spanish speakers.

[Greenday]

this just reminds me of the literacy tests used to keep African Americans out of voting before the civil rights movement

Two completely different things. Voting is a right. Holding a political appointment is not.

[Rapscallion]

I would be very wary of this as it's double edged. While they're able to say there's a state official language, when (according to the article) almost 90% of the regional inhabitants speak a language other than English in the home, that official language may have to change to the more common one...

If state officials are required to be able to speak English, why aren't they also required to be able to speak Spanish as so many of the people they serve speak that tongue?

I believe that the ability to speak both French and English is required for public office in Canadalandialand, or at least for certain aspects of it, though I've slept since I was last over there.

Rapscallion

[Andara Bledin]

One thing to be aware of is that despite English not being the official language of the country, it is the only language used in the writing of legislation (barring legalese that is essentially still Latin). So, a member of the government who doesn't have at least a solid comprehension of the language being used seems to be a poor choice, at best, and is more likely to be a detriment in the long-term.

^-.-^

[wraiths_crono]

I remember my grand mother voting to make English the official state language of business, the proponents said it would make it harder for the illegal population to conduct business and would not give them a reason to stay, unless they learned... (Family has been in politics for YEARS so I always have these things engrained since I was.. 10 years old)

I did see this on the news here, and I have to say I agree with the state, if our state law says you have to be proficient in English and she is not, then she does not hold the ability for public office regardless of what is spoken outside of the official post, at home, anywhere else. In all honesty I find it stupid that we make rules and laws then get called racist for not catering to those whom may be breaking them.

[the_std]

I don't quite know how I feel about this one. Like Andara said, the majority of written communication in between offices/branches of government is done in English, and without a solid foundation in that, how would she expect to hold her position in an effective manner? She had a hard time saying where she went to high school in English. It's not like they asked her a very complicated question - something so easy and basic could become a problem down the road.

That being said, I don't know if I agree with the decision to take this to court and establishing a ruling on it because, as was mentioned in the article, there is no precedent or standard for people to be held against. There is no test every public official must take, or bar to be measured to. So that leaves the door wide open to discrimination, and given Arizona's track record in trying to establish racist legislature, I am very uncomfortable giving them any further options to try to do it again.

This is a problem without no good solution.

[HYHYBT]

Voting is a right. Holding a political appointment is not.

Running for office is a corollary of the right to vote. That doesn't mean there can't be restrictions on either, but it is a right nonetheless.

So, a member of the government who doesn't have at least a solid comprehension of the language being used seems to be a poor choice, at best, and is more likely to be a detriment in the long-term.

Many things make certain people a poor choice for office. They often wind up elected anyway

In all honesty I find it stupid that we make rules and laws then get called racist for not catering to those whom may be breaking them.

Surely, that would depend on what those rules and laws are?

[Gravekeeper]

I believe that the ability to speak both French and English is required for public office in Canadalandialand, or at least for certain aspects of it, though I've slept since I was last over there.

Correct, however, we officially have two languages and we began as such. So its a bit different. So while Arizona is indeed painfully racist at times, this one is actually kind of a hard one me thinks. The established system is English even if its not technically the official language of the US. All US politics are conducted in English.

[Rapscallion]

Indeed, but as government serves the people, and many of the people in Arizona at least aren't natural English speakers...

Don't mind me, I find the potential for this hilarious.

Rapscallion

[Gravekeeper]

Indeed, but as government serves the people, and many of the people in Arizona at least aren't natural English speakers...

True, but English has been the official language of the state of Arizona since 2006. The state is, roughly speaking, about 1/5th Spanish speaking ( 20ish % ). But by the same measure about 8% of the population are illegal immigrants from Mexico.

If you can't speak Spanish, you can't communicate with 1/5th of the State. If you can't speak English, you can't communicate with 4/5th's of the state ( and 82% of the country ) and cannot even do your own paper work required by your job. so yes, like it or not, its certainly an issue.

[Silverharp]

On a federal level there is no official language for the USA. So there is not language requirement to hold office, file paperwork, etc..

But in Arizona, they have a Official State law saying English is the official language. So everything must be done in English at an official level. So a DMV test in theory is English Only.

Remember this is a state with a very high percentage of Spanish speakers.

To be honest, I'm behind this one. the fact that there are people on the road who can't read the signs because they were catered to with special driving tests in their native language strikes me as wrong.
For consistancy alone, we NEED a national language that any citizen can communicate in.

[Ninja_Sushi]

Well here is my opinion, coming from a citizen of Tucson, AZ.

I rarely ever hear Spanish spoken here. Rarely. The only people who speak straight up nothing but Spanish are either visitors or illegals. Now there are a few exceptions...

One time I was at a fast food restaurant and needed a translator! All the menus were in English, I mean, it was a common burger and fries chain. It wasnt racism I felt, it was annoyance. I dont want to sound like a bad guy or anything, but unless I go to waaayyy southside Tucson, where restaurants and stores are in Spanish, I dont feel I need to speak Spanish. I mean, Im Japanese/white...But Im getting side-tracked.

Point being, I live in Tucson and besides a very few key locations, 95% of everyone speaks English. Arizona isnt like everyone thinks where you run into Spanish all day. Maybe once or twice a week.

[Greenday]

Point being, I live in Tucson and besides a very few key locations, 95% of everyone speaks English. Arizona isnt like everyone thinks where you run into Spanish all day. Maybe once or twice a week.

Sounds like my area of New Jersey.