A New Jersey high school English teacher sparked outrage when she told her Spanish-speaking students to “speak American,” a moment that quickly went viral after a student recorded it. Now, the students are taking a stand, and it’s time to give them the recognition they deserve.
Last week, at Crestview High School, a student captured a 27-second video of their still-unnamed English teacher addressing students who were conversing in Spanish. “Men and women are fighting. They are not fighting for your right to speak Spanish,” she stated in the clip. “They are fighting for your right to speak American.” The video was posted on YouTube, where it has garnered considerable attention.
Breaking Down the Ridiculousness
Let’s break down the ridiculousness of this situation. Firstly, suggesting that speaking Spanish makes someone less American is not just ignorant; it’s outright racist. Imposing the idea that only English-speaking individuals qualify as “real” Americans perpetuates harmful stereotypes. It’s a good thing this teacher isn’t leading a history class, as her understanding of American culture seems severely lacking.
Secondly, as an English teacher, it’s perplexing that she would even use the term “speak American.” American isn’t a language; it’s a made-up term that nationalist groups use to claim linguistic superiority. As 16-year-old student Jake Rivera aptly noted, “Coming from an English teacher — saying to speak American — first of all, that was dumb.” And he’s right; it’s pretty ridiculous.
Moreover, let’s clarify what our brave servicemen and women are truly defending. If you were to approach a soldier and say, “Thank you for your service so that everyone can speak English,” I can assure you most would be baffled.
Students Take a Stand
Unfortunately for this teacher, she underestimated her students. On Monday, around 100 students at Crestview High participated in a walkout to protest the teacher’s remarks, proudly waving flags that represent their heritage. Meanwhile, the school administration has been silent about the next steps. They are conducting an investigation and will likely announce their findings soon. It’s unclear if the teacher is facing any consequences yet, but students claim they are being targeted for their protest actions.
Days before the walkout, students received warnings over the PA system about possible repercussions for leaving class. Still, they chose to stand up for what they believe in — a true testament to their courage. Since the protest, reports have surfaced of students receiving Saturday detentions and even suspensions. Administrators have also allegedly offered incentives for information on who pulled the fire alarm, which signaled the protest’s start.
The Importance of Standing Up
This should infuriate anyone. Students shouldn’t have to endure racist rhetoric from their teachers, nor should they be punished for speaking out against it. Schools should be fostering environments that encourage critical thinking and standing up against injustice, not silencing dissent.
As we’ve seen with the backlash against NFL players protesting for justice, there’s an evident discomfort among some people regarding how others choose to express their grievances. But that’s precisely the kind of activism that our country was built upon, and it deserves support.
Kudos to these students for standing up against ignorance! Here’s hoping their school takes appropriate action against the teacher and recognizes the bravery these kids demonstrated in the face of adversity.
Further Reading
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Summary
A New Jersey English teacher’s offensive comments about Spanish-speaking students prompted a significant protest from students who stood up for their rights. The incident has raised questions about the school’s response and the importance of promoting inclusivity in education.