This judge's ruling is an outrage...

[kcass1954]

I'm confused - how does not speaking English make you a bad parent???


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-english14feb14.story

LEBANON, Tenn. — A judge hearing child abuse and neglect cases in Tennessee has given an unusual instruction to some immigrant mothers who have come before him: Learn English, or else.

Most recently, it was an 18-year-old woman from Oaxaca, Mexico, who had been reported to the Department of Children's Services for failing to immunize her toddler and show up for appointments. At a hearing last month to monitor the mother's custody of the child, Wilson County Judge Barry Tatum instructed the woman to learn English and to use birth control, the Lebanon Democrat newspaper reported.

<snip>

"The court specially informs the mother that if she does not make the effort to learn English, she is running the risk of losing any connection — legally, morally and physically — with her daughter forever," reads a court order from the hearing, according to Jerry Gonzalez, the Nashville attorney who represents the woman.

<snip>

And several local people interviewed said the flap over Tatum's orders has not hurt his reputation. "That was his way of helping and her child," said Jane Stroud, 67, who works in a Western wear shop.

[punpirate]

1. "That was his way...

... of helping her and her child." More likely, it was his way of saying, "Go back to Mexico where you belong."

[angstlessk]

2. This is very upsetting. They went out looking for a white racist.

"who works at a western wear shop" I wonder how long they shopped for a person who agreed with this judge? I am sure they questioned hundreds of people who disagreed then found out that the local 'western wear shop' also hired KKK members, and viola, a person who agrees with the judge. A parent can be abusive in english, but just do not talk to the child of love and empathy and self respect if you use a different language than the one the judge speaks?

[Rush1184]

3. I am schocked that a judge in Tenn. told the women to use birth control...

Seriously, arn't thses the people who are usually against it?

[Erika]

4. Learning English is important

But...what if this woman neither had the time nor the resources to learn English? The judge showed no kindness whatever.

My great grandmother went to her death here with a very limited knowledge of the English language. As a farm woman with a large family she had other priorities. Should she have had her children taken away?

This is just more of the right-wing garbage.

[seabeyond]

5. and if the parent is illiterate......take away child

and the parent has a lower than average iq.........lets just keep going. the parent has the right to learn or not learn, regardless of how important someone may feel it is she learns english. it is not a birthing obligation to know hte language