The Problem is Cultural
Ssuraji thinks there are two issues about ethnic separatism causes strife.
One is what is good for the student who is not quite at home in English and the other is good for America and American society as a whole.
She immigrated 15 years ago to America with her child. The reason was building a better future for them. They came from a place where there are more than ten languages, so, her native language was different from the national language which was used in education and official work. She always felt disadvantaged in these situations. So, when it was time for her kids to go to school, she thought that they will be confused about the official languages in the U.S. So, she started talking to them in English at home. However, they cannot try to be what they were back home. They have to sacrifice certain things to gain others. Similarly, it is for all parents of migrants to decide for themselves what they want the best for their children. There is a lot of resistance in some migrants to learn English. So, she thinks this will only disadvantage their children.
The second issue is the social strife that regards the different ethnic groups as the same nation groups. The only way to prevent is to prevent split in the society. Language is probably one of the most polarizing issues. She thinks America needs to have everyone speak same language.
The New York Times
March 11,2009
Educating Immigrants : Voices of Experience
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/educating-immigrants-voices-of-experience/?scp=1&sq=education%20immigrants%20:%20voices%20of%20Experience&st=cse
