"E Pluribus Unum" Turned Upside Down
Posted by: Christian P. Milord | 07/23/2008 9:53 AM
Each time I open a copy of "California Educator," (magazine published by the California Teachers Association), I get a momentary feeling that I'm in Latin America. Since September, 2007, CTA President David A. Sanchez has titled his monthly column in Spanish, and then he pens the monthly article in English. I wrote to the CTA about this matter several months ago, but never got a response.
The large, boldly lettered title of his message is, "Si Se Puede! Por Que No?" This translates into, "It can be done! Why not?" At the bottom of the column, the meaning and explanation for the words is typed with very small lettering in English. During the late 20th century, Cesar Chavez used this slogan to motivate migrant workers to utilize collective bargaining with ranchers and agribusiness interests.
Mr. Sanchez probably uses this catch phrase as a theme to rally teachers to fight for their rights. He wants the teachers' union to battle powerful interests in order to provide a quality education to all California students. Of course, it's normal for professionals in any occupation to negotiate for better labor conditions. Indeed, the CTA has fought for students and teachers in the public schools. However, there are a few problems associated with this slogan.
First, English is the language of success in the USA, and in many parts of the globe. Our forefathers used the Latin term, "E Pluribus, Unum" ("From Many, One," or "Out Of Many, One") as a motto for our common American ideals. In 1956, (under Eisenhower) another national motto, "In God We Trust," was added to some public buildings and the Pledge of Allegiance. It was also engraved and stamped on to our currency.
Our democratic republic has always had a diversity of cultures, but from these cultures emerged the great principles that forged one nation. Indeed, although English hasn't been mandated as the national language, it's common knowledge that English unites Americans from all backgrounds.
It's quite disturbing that this Spanish title was foisted on hundreds of thousands of English speaking CTA members, and it tends to turn "E Pluribus, Unum" upside down. This is just one more example of PC multiculturalism run amok in our society. Indeed, prior CTA presidents didn't impose languages other than English on educators that read "California Educator."
Next, since Sanchez's title is written in Spanish, why not write it in Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and so on? Isn't that the goal of folks who embrace the concept of multicultural diversity? Don't they believe that all cultures are the same and deserve equal time? Obviously, if all cultures were morally equivalent, every nation would be as democratic and prosperous as the USA.
Third, rightly or wrongly, the phrase used in Sanchez's monthly message can have a negative connotation. When Americans hear the slogan, it summons up media images of illegal immigrants marching in the streets demanding unearned rights and waving foreign flags.
These lawbreakers demand rights that only native born Americans and legal immigrants should have. These protesters ought to demonstrate for freedom and opportunity in their countries of origin, instead of opposing legal assimilation in the USA. Unfortunately, some politicians also use the mantra to pander to Hispanic groups.
Let's look at the flip side of this situation and put the shoe on the other foot. Imagine if a Latin American magazine for professionals had its' editorial titled in English, with the article written in Spanish. Can you visualize the outrage down south?
Fourth, while there is nothing wrong with pride in one's ancestry and heritage, most Americans don't emphasize cultural differences. There are too many common ideals that bind Americans together as one nation under God.
Americans respect individual contrasts, but they also accentuate similarities that make our country so unique. Too many other nations are entangled in ethnic, religious, and tribal conflicts, which impedes developmental progress and generates unhealthy balkanization.
Finally, the best way to achieve the American Dream is through determination, opportunity creation, and respect for the rule of law. Character driven individuals can succeed in America, because Americans value responsible democracy and liberty.
Instead of trying to reverse, "Out Of Many, One," Sanchez should encourage school communities to unite under American civic virtues. He could be less divisive if he titled his message in English, which is the language that immigrants yearn to learn.
The 'Clinton' loans were done long before this mess & would have had a significant impact long ago...
It gets better: The CA Teachers Assoc. Responsible Budget Solution Paradox
Early this month, the California Teachers Association (CTA) launched a new statewide ad campaign calling on lawmakers to put aside partisan politics and give Californians a "real responsible budget solution" - The California Teachers Association posits that a "responsible budget solution" is to Tax to Teach.
Describing the ad campaign, the CTA's website reads "Continuing to balance the budget with a cuts-only approach hurts vital services that all Californians need and deserve. Lawmakers must consider revenue increases to fund education and other crucial programs that help children, the poor and working families"
On the other hand, the Singapore's secondary school curriculum is recognized worldwide for its ability to develop students with critical thinking and intellectual skills. Their responsible solution? Teach Less, Learn More - Teach Less, Learn More is about teaching better, to engage students and prepare them for life, rather than teaching more, for tests and examinations. According to Education Week reporter Rhea R. Borja Singapore may be doing more than any other country to advance 21st Century Skills through project work and technology (ICT). "Singaporean educators are finding that technology is useful in fostering more self-directed learning, a shift away from the traditional learn and drill" writes Borja, in "Singapore's Digital Path", Technology Counts 2004, Education Week, May 6, 2004
Arguably, with access to the best technology in the world, the CTA's focus has been self-preservation, rather than innovation, with predictable results.
" At a time when California already ranks 46th in per pupil funding and dead last in teachers, counselors and librarians per student, the proposed education cuts would increase class sizes and reduce funding to those programs that target low-income students and those schools that need help the most", read the CTA website" - the implied argument appears to be " It took the CTA more than 30 years to achieve the most dubious distinction of being the worst state in the nation at the time the CTA had all the resources it needed - can you imagine what may happen with less resources"? How can the CTA focus on teaching students to make sushi rolls or help criminalize home schoolers, for example?
A couple of decades ago we predicted Detroit would reach the dubious distinction it has now achieved, mostly because of its cost structure driven by its management-union relationship. A few years ago we predicted the CTA would have a similar effect. We have been right on both counts - not simply a hindsight statement, as our position has been well documented.
Thinking Schools, Learning Nation (TSLN) was adopted as Singapore's Ministry of Education's vision statement in 1997 and continues to be the over-arching descriptor of the transformation in the education system, comprising changes in all aspects of education. " Since 2003, we have focused more on.... nurturing a spirit of Innovation and Enterprise (I&E). This will build up a core set of life skills and attitudes that we want in our students. It promotes the mindsets that we want to see in our students, teacher, school leaders and beyond", reads in part, a preamble to the Ministry of Education's website.
We continue to argue that the "responsible budget solution" is a major shift from self-preservation to innovation. Including the promotion of home school, the virtual classroom and even outsourcing.
"... Our forefathers used the Latin term, "E Pluribus, Unum" ("From Many, One," or "Out Of Many, One") as a motto for our common American ideals. ..."
In those days, just about all the Founding Fathers, and just about all the educated class, could read Latin. Jefferson read Latin, Greek, and French.
When he says, "Si se puede!", we know who he's talking to - and who he's not talking to.
As far as budgets go, I've been voting here for many years, and just about every election has another billion-or-so bond issue "for the schools". Naturally, everybody happily votes it in, because, heck, nobody has to pay for it, right?
I'd surely like to know where all that money went.
We continue to postulate that the money goes toward feeding the CTA dinosaur allegedly for self-preservation, instead of innovation.
Not much different from what auto industry union has been doing for Detroit over the last 40 years or so, with not so surprising consequences: GM and Ford are now on the verge of extinction – according to a Bloomerg piece dated July 22, 2008 General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., the two biggest U.S. automakers, have about a 46 percent chance of default within five years”
Obama goes to Iraq and meets with General Petraeus who is responsible for master minding recent successes in Iraq . Petraeus tells him that a specific, announced time frame for pulling out of Iraq is not a good idea. General Obama, who had not been back to Iraq in nearly three years and never went to Afghanistan until last week ignores Petraeus advice and announces that the troops will be out in 16 months if he is elected. So do we trust Obama’s “judgment” or the advice of the general who has had major success in Iraq . The answer should be obvious. JM