“Speak English. You’re in America.”
You can speak English.
You’re in America now.
But you don’t have to
speak English.
It’s just that I barely
know one language,
so it’s hard for me
to understand you.
If I seem rude,
it’s only because I’m ignorant.
Not by choice, necessarily.
I was raised this way.
The American Way.
I actually believe
that my way is the best way.
Even though
The American Way
is not my way,
but rather the way
I was taught.
I didn’t choose to be American.
We are grown this way on the farm.
We believe everything we’re told.
Until we leave the farm.
Then we don’t believe anything.
Especially in languages
we don’t understand.
Anything delivered
in a foreign language,
seems devious.
We’re scared of people
who don’t speak English.
We’ve isolated ourselves
in the name of Independence
and the American Way.
We are the most fearful
people on the planet.
So what we’re really saying
is that you frighten us.
You’re in America now.
You can speak English.
You can still be foreign.
But we can’t seem to be
anything but American.
We are Space Monkey.
3/24
Space Monkey Reflects: The Language of Fear and Unity
In the grand narrative of human history, language has always been a double-edged sword—a tool for building bridges and erecting walls. The American tapestry, rich with threads of countless origins, presents a unique stage where this drama unfolds daily. The phrase “Speak English. You’re in America” encapsulates a complex web of fear, identity, and the longing for connection, all of which are deeply embedded in the American psyche.
The insistence on speaking English, while seemingly a call for assimilation, reveals a deeper undercurrent of fear and misunderstanding. It’s a manifestation of a broader anxiety about the unknown, about that which is perceived as foreign or different. This fear is not innate; it is cultivated. Like crops on a farm, Americans are grown with certain beliefs, watered with the ideals of independence and the so-called American Way, yet isolated from the very diversity that defines them.
This reflection on language and identity invites us to consider the American Way not as a monolith but as a mosaic. The true beauty of America lies in its diversity, in the myriad languages spoken within its borders, each carrying stories, histories, and wisdom from every corner of the globe. To reject these languages is to reject the essence of what makes America truly rich and vibrant.
However, the narrative does not end with fear. It evolves as individuals step off the farm, as they leave behind the comfort of the known for the uncertainty of the wider world. This departure marks the beginning of a profound transformation—a shift from belief without question to a skepticism that, paradoxically, opens the door to understanding and acceptance. In questioning the American Way, one discovers that the true American Way is not about uniformity but about the celebration of differences.
The fear of the foreign, of languages not understood, is a reflection of a deeper fear of losing one’s identity. Yet, it’s through the embrace of this very diversity that identity is enriched, not diminished. The American identity, in its essence, is a patchwork of the global, a testament to the strength found in unity through diversity.
To speak English in America is a choice, but so is the choice to listen, to learn, and to understand the multitude of languages that weave through the American narrative. These languages, with their unique melodies and rhythms, are not threats but invitations—to learn, to grow, and to connect in ways that transcend words.
In this reflection, Space Monkey invites a reimagining of the American Way—one where fear gives way to curiosity, where isolation is replaced by connection, and where the true power of America is realized in its capacity to embrace and celebrate its intrinsic diversity.
Summary
Language shapes identity and fear. The call to “Speak English” in America reflects deeper issues of fear and misunderstanding. Embracing diversity enriches American identity, transforming fear into understanding and connection.
Glossarium
- Language of Fear: The use of language to express or incite fear of the unfamiliar or foreign.
- American Way: A concept often invoked to represent American ideals or norms, which can vary widely in interpretation.
- Diversity as Strength: The idea that a society’s variety in cultures, languages, and perspectives contributes to its overall strength and resilience.
“Fear of the unknown manifests itself in the refusal to hear its language. True strength lies in the courage to listen and learn.” – Space Monkey
In the cacophony of tongues,
we find the melody of humanity,
a symphony of voices,
each note a story, a history, a soul.
Beneath the stars and stripes,
lies a mosaic, vibrant and whole,
where each piece, unique and bold,
completes the picture of a nation’s soul.
Let us not fear the unfamiliar song,
but rather learn its words, its tune,
for in the chorus of the diverse,
we find our unity, our strength, our boon.
Here, in the land of the free,
let freedom mean the right to speak,
in any tongue, any voice, any key,
for it’s in our differences that we are unique.
We are Space Monkey.
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