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New Bathroom Policy At English High School By Martin Espada

442 Words2 Pages

Language plays a vital role in a person’s sense of identity and connection; despite that, however, many face issues of discrimination of language throughout the United States for speaking another language. Former lawyer-turned-poet Martin Espada addresses these issues in his essay “The New Bathroom Policy at English High School,” through the use of anecdotes and his work, Espada continues to fight and serve as a voice for Latinos across America. Espada states how language isn’t a means of communication, but instead integral to an individual’s identity and culture, he recounts the story of attending a protest for a bill to make English the official language of Massachusetts, during the demonstration, a state legislator threatens to rip his tongue out for speaking Spanish, later, when Espada goes up and conveys to the crowd, he calls out to the audience that even if his tongue gets ripped, it won’t stop him from speaking Spanish with his heart, “He can rip out my tongue if he wants. But it won’t work, porque yo hablo español con el corazón,” (97-99). Espada conveys to the audience that Spanish epitomizes a person’s identity and pride. Language, for many, is a way for someone to express their culture, not just to say words or communicate with one another, and why many, including Espada, fight for the right to speak …show more content…

What they want to do is also retain their own language, culture, and identity” (164-167). Here, Espada highlights how language helps people absorb new cultures and offer a wider perception of our world, but that people also want to keep their sense of self-worth without losing

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