Principal Suspends Spanish-Speaking Boy

[DaveColorado]

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/NEWS/512100432/1039

Principal Suspends Spanish-Speaking Boy

By T.R. Reid
The Washington Post

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Most of the time, 16-year-old Zach Rubio converses in clear, unaccented, American teen-speak, a form of English in which the three most common words are "like," "whatever" and "totally." But Zach is also fluent in his dad's native language, Spanish -- and that's what got him suspended from school.

"It was, like, totally not in the classroom," the high school junior said, recalling the infraction. "We were in the, like, hall or whatever, on restroom break. This kid I know, he's like, `Me prestas un dolar?' (`Will you lend me a dollar?'). Well, he asked in Spanish; it just seemed natural to answer that way. So I'm like, `No problema.' "

But that conversation turned out to be a big problem for the staff at the Endeavor Alternative School, a small public high school in an ethnically mixed blue-collar neighborhood. A teacher who overheard the two boys sent Zach to the office, where Principal Jennifer Watts ordered him to call his father and leave the school.

Watts, whom students describe as a disciplinarian, said she can't discuss the case. But in a written "discipline referral" explaining her decision to suspend Zach for 11/2 days, she noted: "This is not the first time we have (asked) Zach and others to not speak Spanish at school."

-more

[DaveColorado]

1. Attacks on Latinos

As a person of Mexican and Spanish decent, I have become alarmed at the recent escalation of rhetoric and attacks on Latino/Hispanic people in this country on everything from immigration issues to incidents like this one. I believe the Republicans will use racism and fear against Hispanics to attempt to attain victory in 2006. It is what they are best at – appealing to people’s lower natures.

I also believe the new Scalito, Scalia, Roberts, Thomas court will not protect our 14th amendment due process and equal justice rights.

The fucked up thing is I know so many Latino people who voted for Bush. They really shot themselves in the foot when it comes to civil rights. Idiots.

On a positive note, there are now 3 Latino Senators in the US Senate, with two being dems.

[Orrin_73]

2. you are right about that

there are signs that the right wing will make the latinos/hispanics an issue in the coming election. Its despicable.