Apparently, Nashville doesn't appreciate your international or multi-ethnic business. You may want to take it somewhere else. Eric Crafton, the leader of Music City USA's English-Only movement, argues that a bilingual nation is a cursed nation.Sorry about that, Canada.
You may remember Councilman Eric Crafton as the recipient of a letter from Jesus General in recognition of the Christianity-Only feat of persuading the Nashville Metro Council to officially sayeth: "Whereas Jesus Christ is an actual man..."
Councilman Crafton has since moved on from Christianity-Only to English-Only. Crafton opines: "No nation can withstand the antagonism, tension and conflict brought about by multilingualism and multiculturalism." Apparently, Eric Crafton is a dittohead.
The Crafty Councilman has a plan to save the allegedly cursed city of Nashville. Crafton will force this city's inhabitants to learn English at breakneck speed, and he will do so by making their lives as difficult in the meantime as he possibly can. In the monolingual mind of Crafton, submitting to his English-Only plan will "allow [people] the dignity of taking responsibility for their own lives and actions."
But Crafton's supportive fellow councilpersons have other reasons for embracing monolingualism.
They've been overheard saying that pressing that number one button on the telephone is a real drag.
You can't make this stuff up!
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, no liberal bastion, opposes the English-Only ordinance. In the view of the Chamber, Crafton's ordinance would "constitute an official policy by Nashville against inclusiveness. Such a policy would have a direct and negative effect on Nashville's ability to attract and retain companies that have an international or multi-ethnic workforce or customer base."
Duh.
Crafton's Enlish-Only Ordinance declares:
English to be the official language of the Metropolitan Government, and to require that all government communications, publications and telephone answering systems be in English with certain exceptions.
Except when required by federal law or when necessary to protect or promote public health, safety or welfare, all communications, publications, and telephone answering systems of metropolitan government boards, commissions, departments and agencies shall be in English." [Sponsored by: Eric Crafton, Michael Craddock]
This disaster-in-waiting will go into effect if it passes the third and final reading on December 5th. See how your councilpeople voted, and find their email addresses over at TIRRC. And if you are in the Nashville area, consider going downtown on December 5th, for the wingnutty show. A large crowd of irate citizens can have quite an intimidating effect upon bullies.
Besides, you know Eric Crafton has ambitions. Stop him now before he imagines he can run for a higher office!
Related TGW posts: What Happens When You Speak English Only (video) & We Should Always Sing in English
Politics News English Only Nashville Eric Crafton Councilman Crafton Tennessee Immigrants Music City USA Bible Belt Nashville Metro Council Immigration
