I did not see Riko's post back in August, so I'll respond to some of the comments now (I can't respond to all of them--that'd take too long)....
<<You stated that the occupied territory of the US southwest was Mexican for only 28 years. But it is important to note that it was Spanish for over 400 years.>>
Sure. But do, remember, again, that thruout all the years of California's time under Spanish rule there were never more than about 5,000 Spanish speakers withint the current area that is California. The vast majority of the people that were here were indigenous people who continued to speak indigenous languages even by the time Mexico became its own nation. California never had large populations of native Spanish speakers, tho indigenous people living near the missions did eventually learn some Spanish.
<<The idea that English belongs in the US southwest and that it is more 'native' in California or Colorado is ridiculous. Spanish has NOT been a foreign language since the days of the first Spanish expeditions in Florida and the southwest that opened those areas up to the western world about 500 years ago.>>
Uh, as far as things go, techically both English and Spanish are historically "foreign" languages to the region. Also, no one at all is claiming a lot of things you're assuming people think (such as that English is "native" to the region).
<<When you speak about your US-Mexican classmates, you speak of a specific group. If most of the Spanish speaking population felt like the students at your university, then such mega TV networks like Univision, Telemundo, Azteca America, Galavision, would not exist in this country. Companies like Kraft, Head and Shoulders, Ford, GM, Sony, Wal-Mat, etc, would not bother to broadcast their ads in Spanish.>>
Again, you're assuming things I didn't say. Of course there is a large market for Spanish-speaking TV networks and ads. However, do note that a lot (but not all) of what keeps them sustained is steady immigration of largely monolingual Spanish speakers to the US.
<<The US began as a string of 13 colonies clinging to the Atlantic Ocean. George Washington didn't kick the British out of San Diego. To the south and west was vast Spanish territory, where Spanish culture, forms, practice and LANGUAGE dominated.>>
Do you know anything about the history of the indigenous people here under Spanish rule? I think they would've begged to differ that their culture and territory was one which was entirely "Spanish." That's not reality.
<<We should ask ourselves, why should it be so revolutionary to accomodate the historical linguistic minority that has spoken Spanish in this nation since its outset? Why not have a federal government that you can communicate with and stay informed in Spanish, rather than English?>>
This has been discussed by others, but also keep in mind that Spanish is one of literally hundreds of languages spoken in the US. The US does not just have Spanish and English speakers in it. However, in areas where Spanish is widely spoken, as with other minority languages, Spanish speakers *are* accommodated, as Uriel mentioned.
<<The total denial by the Anglo establishment of the Spanish southwest will let these problems continue to fester.>>
"Anglo" again? Where are all these "Anglos?" I know comparatively few. Once again, at least California is about 8% of Anglo descent.
<<If one's family is Spanish speaking, do you think that one would switch to English, a foreign language, because they personally decide to? People of Latin American background have no choice but to have a firm grasp of English in this country.>>
This is nothing new in the US. The same thing happened all over Latin America with lots of groups of people who came to speak Spanish who historically didn't, whether we're talking about immigrants (such as the massive waves of Italian immigrants to Argentina) or indigenous people in Latin America who were not historically Spanish-speaking. People change languages as they move or political situations change. It happens and has been happening thruout human history.
<<An elementary school in my area (in overwhelmingly non-Hispanic Maine) offers basic instruction in Spanish, not to help those learning English, but to give Anglo(phone) parents the opportunity to teach their children the second national language of the United States.>>
Yes...that's true. The same happens here. Your point?
<<In those 28 years of Mexican administration, which you claim are insignificant and have no historical value whatsoever,>>
You're putting words in my mouth. You misread my comments.
<<If you truly loved Spanish as you claim Kirk, you should review some of your statements. Why not take a North American history course in a Mexican university or college in Spanish, a language that you are fluent in?>>
I studied abroad in Argentina and took several history classes there (in Spanish) on Latin American history, if it's important to you. I've also taken classes on various parts of US history, and specifically the regions of Southern California. I'm no expert but I have a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about here.
Oh yeah, and since I also live in California I can base my comments off of years of relevant real-life experience instead of passing notions of the place from visiting or reading about it.