A resident living in a Salvation Army building in North Houston, TX said that management sent her a letter asking her to speak “English Only,” KPRC reports.
The letter said:
“The United States of America is an English speaking country and those who come to the United States or born here should learn to speak the language. It is rude to sit in the lobby and speak Spanish when there is a resident sitting in the lobby as well who does not speak Spanish. The exclusion of the non-Spanish speaking person is unacceptable. As has happened several residents have asked what is being said as they feel offended and left out of the conversation. It is perfectly acceptable for non-Spanish speaking resident to ask what is being said and have the conversation translated. Most of our residents speak English, however the conversation in the lobby and Activity Room is primarily Spanish. This is grossly unfair to the 25% who do not speak Spanish and needs to change.”
The name of the apartment complex is William Booth Garden Apartments.
“I feel like my rights are just being, you know, violated,” the resident Katherine Hernandez told KPRC. “Not only that, but I’m deprived of speaking my native language.”
According to a June 2018 report from Texas Tribune, the Hispanic population is on pace to become the largest population group in the state by 2022.
FYI, the woman who posted the letter? She’s been fired.
How ridiculous! If someone isn’t talking to you, you have no business inserting yourself into their conversation, no matter what language is being spoken. Freedom includes being able to speak in whatever language you want. American has no official language, thank God! ¡Es tu problema si no entiendes español, si quieres entender, pues estudies el idioma!
Amén!
The current place occupied by the United States, formerly belonged to many tribes of truth “American” you, my dear Madam, are a few more immigrants, and yet none of these original tribes asked them to speak their languages, as you dare to to even ask for that in Texas, land conquered by force where Spanish spoke much earlier than English brought by the invaders …
It’s ironic that the letter asking people to speak English contains grammatical errors.
Wow….So basically, they were saying people need to speak english only so it’s easier for people not even involved in your conversation to eavesdrop. Lmao nevermind how rude it is to be so damn nosy. Sounds like someone never learned how to mind their own damn business. Nobody us obligated to include you in their conversation, especially when they don’t even know your ass.