Thursday the Nashville's Metro Council will vote on a resolution offered by Councilmember Ronnie Steine asking voters to not sign a petition seeking to make English the only language of city and county government. If successful, the petition would put the issue before voters in November.
Steine's resolution also asks voters not to approve the measure if it makes it onto the ballot.
It's important to act today and ask your council member to support Steine's plan.
The effort to make English the only language is being led by Eric Crafton. Others involved have not come forward, nor will Crafton identify the those funding the effort. The secrecy is disturbing.
Even more disturbing is that this effort is just mean. It does nothing to make the community better -- it simply makes life more difficult for those whose native language is not English. What good can come of that?
It also makes life more difficult for our government because it makes communications with those who don't speak English more difficult. That law, if enacted, might make it illegal to prepare forms in languages other than English and might make it illegal to hire translators to help in the courts and public hospitals.
Like it or not, there are large numbers of people in the city who don't speak English. They are here legally, they pay taxes and they are good citizens. Why on Earth would a government that is supposed to serve ALL the people, deny services to taxpayers simply on the basis of language? It's unthinkable that government would discriminate on the basis of race, religion or ethnicity, so why should language be considered acceptable.
It's important to tell the world that Nashville's government is modern, forward-thinking and inclusive. Councilman Steine's resolution is an effort make it clear that Crafton does not speak for the city.
Contact your council member today and urge him or her to support Steine's resolution.
-- Jim Grinstead
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