Mute in an English only world

In many large cities now a days there are specific areas where many Italians or other walks of people create a community similar to the one back home. This may create frustration for those who originally lived in the city before these small communities started. Many think it is unfair, saying that this is our country and they should learn our language and our customs. IT can be scary for people new to our country seeing all of the English signs and hear only English on the streets. I couldn’t imagine walking into a busy place barely being able to speak English and having my children there by my side and being humiliated because I couldn’t order properly. “the butcher looked as if my mother had put something sour in his mouth and he glanced back at the lighted board and called the next number”(Lee p339). To feel so humiliated would be terrible. I probably wouldn’t be able to work up the nerve to go back in there ever again. This happens to many “outsiders” who are new to our very difficult language. But why is it only their responsibility to learn our language if we don’t even try to recognize theirs? It’s not fair why can’t we just meet half way? After all the United States was once referred to as the melting pot of cultures. So why can’t we show that kind of acceptance now? Who knows it may better our understanding of different countries and in the end make us stronger and a better country to live in.