[Miami Vice]

I guess that not everyone has the time, skills or the desire to learn a different language. You shouldn't have to learn a different language in your own country. The reality is that Miami is a place where many immigrants live. Some choose to learn the language and others don't. Because there is such a high population of latins, they could basically get away with not learning english. Many have also recently arrived and it takes some time to learn especially if you are working one or two jobs. There will be times where one will have to communicate with one another. If you are going to live in Miami, I don't think that there is anything wrong for both sides to learn a few words.
As far as the problem with multiculturalism, there will always be tension and prejudices over someone who is not the same as you. There are always people who think that there nationality or race is better than the other. The truth is that no matter where you are from or what color your skin is, a person is either a good person or not. Another problem with it is that people who have arrived here are not use to the customs here or our laws. Some people have a very selfish, carefree attitude. Even though there are great people of all races and nationalities, this huge melting pot is overwhelming at times.
I agree with you statement that you wrote in spanish where you write that there are problems all over the US. And it's great that you prefer Florida. Different strokes for different folks. I think that writting in spanish is only going to add more fuel to the fire. My two cents.

[riptoman]

Originally Posted by Miami Vice

I guess that not everyone has the time, skills or the desire to learn a different language. You shouldn't have to learn a different language in your own country. The reality is that Miami is a place where many immigrants live. Some choose to learn the language and others don't. Because there is such a high population of latins, they could basically get away with not learning english. Many have also recently arrived and it takes some time to learn especially if you are working one or two jobs. There will be times where one will have to communicate with one another. If you are going to live in Miami, I don't think that there is anything wrong for both sides to learn a few words.
As far as the problem with multiculturalism, there will always be tension and prejudices over someone who is not the same as you. There are always people who think that there nationality or race is better than the other. The truth is that no matter where you are from or what color your skin is, a person is either a good person or not. Another problem with it is that people who have arrived here are not use to the customs here or our laws. Some people have a very selfish, carefree attitude. Even though there are great people of all races and nationalities, this huge melting pot is overwhelming at times.
I agree with you statement that you wrote in spanish where you write that there are problems all over the US. And it's great that you prefer Florida. Different strokes for different folks. I think that writting in spanish is only going to add more fuel to the fire. My two cents.

I like your response. You're much more in to the explaining aspect than the bashing aspect. You make good points, I just find it hard to believe that people can't find ways to get along with each other.

[Miami Vice]

I think that this thread in particular has brought out the worst in all of us. It was started by an idiot who was banned. He had a different name before, and has a new one now. He hasn't been banned yet because he has been holding back. The thread upset many and some may have said things that they didn't mean deep down inside. I think that when the moderator banned the person who started the thread, he/she should have deleted it all together. It has 11 pages of people going at it back and forth. The reality is simple. Good, bad, decent or scum, there is a little bit from every race.

[riptoman]

Originally Posted by Miami Vice

I think that this thread in particular has brought out the worst in all of us. It was started by an idiot who was banned. He had a different name before, and has a new one now. He hasn't been banned yet because he has been holding back. The thread upset many and some may have said things that they didn't mean deep down inside. I think that when the moderator banned the person who started the thread, he/she should have deleted it all together. It has 11 pages of people going at it back and forth. The reality is simple. Good, bad, decent or scum, there is a little bit from every race.

makes you wonder why they don't ban his IP address...

[Miami Vice]

You know how it is. He could use a different computer. A laptop or one at the grand wizard's house. Maybe he uses his work computer or one at the KKK lodge.

[phoenixxphyre]

hah, well if that's true I better find somewhere else because south east FL is the only part I'm considering (then again, that's the part where my brother lives and where I've seen the most job opportunities so...that's got a lot to do with it).

[shannaCT]

Everyone in the boat of 'if youre in this country, go learn the language', act as if learning a foreign language is so easy...

Most of us have had the opportunity to learn a foreign language in school (I'm included- I speak Spanish fluently), study that language in depth, and even take school trips to practice that language among native speakers. Many of our foreign language teachers are native speakers of that language themselves.

Not everyone has the opportunity to 'just go learn' English... Even if the classes are free, sometimes transportation, work schedules, or child care issues prevent people from taking them (that's IF they are available- those classes are not readily available everywhere). English is a very difficult language to learn-- it's not typical of the other Romance languages. Then you factor in the adult learner, whose mind doesn't usually retain the info as well as a younger one.

If one doesn't speak English and the classes aren't advertised in their 'circle', so to speak, how would they find the classes?

It's not as simple as some make it out to be.

In 10-20 years everyone will be complaining about some other group of immigrants... If it's not one group, it's another.

Also, edited to add-- some people stated that it's offensive to hear people speaking their languages here instead of English... I guess when you travel abroad, you know every language of every country you visit? If you and your sister were visiting France, you'd only speak French to each other while there? Okie dokie.

I see this thread seems to be coming to an end, but I had to get my $0.02 in...

[Miami Vice]

I agree with you. I also hoped that this thread would have disappeared.