Mr. Stevens has written a good piece telling English speakers why they should know at least one other language. He has first hand experience. - - Donna Poisl
By Chandler Harrison Stevens
Today is Cinco de Mayo -- meaning, in English, the "5th of May." In 1862 it was particularly significant because it was the last time an army (the French) invaded the Americas.
While the Cinco de Mayo defeat of France took place in Mexico, it is still significant here in the U.S.
Mexico is our closest ally other than, of course, Canada. We are all a part of "The Americas" and, in particular, of North America. While there are mixed feelings about NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, there is no denying that in this age of globalization, we are much closer than ever to our neighbors both to the north and to the south.
There is also no denying that here in Austin, also known as SpamTownUSA, that our meatpacking economy would probably not have survived had it not been for the influx of Hispanic immigrants during the two globalizing decades, the nineties and the aughts.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
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