One other state question has the potential to be even more discriminatory than SQ 755, which would outlaw the use of Sharia Law in courts.
SQ 751, called the “English is the Official Language of Oklahoma Act,” has the potential to marginalize several demographics at once. It would require all official state actions to be conducted in English.
The measure doesn’t apply to the 39 federally recognized Native American languages.
In keeping with his harsh anti-illegal immigration views, state representative Randy Terrill, R-Moore, is the primary person who got this question on the ballot.
Given that Terrill successfully passed a bill stripping undocumented immigrants from any taxpayer-funded benefits, it’s a fair assumption that SQ 751 is a continuation of his crusade against those in the U.S. illegally — namely Hispanics from south of the border.
However, the language of the measure succeeds in marginalizing every person living in Oklahoma who doesn’t primarily speak English.
Terrill, has given three reasons why SQ 751 is a good idea: 1) it would allow Oklahoma from having to deliver “services in any language other than English against our will; 2) reduce “costs, conflicts and burdens that are inherently associated with bilingualism and multilingualis; 3) be “consistent” with Oklahoma immigration laws.
Don’t be fooled. Budget cuts have already halted the printing of many public documents, and most are available online, which isn’t costly to taxpayers. Any cost that does go toward multilingual initiatives will only improve our state’s reputation as a hub for diversity and business.
Oklahoma’s immigration laws are some of the strictest in the nation. They don’t need to be strengthened.
Proponents of SQ 751 have said it will encourage non-English speakers to learn the state’s dominant language. If forcing citizens to learn English by giving them no other options is helpful, then it certainly succeeds in this regard.
If supporters of the inititative really wanted to help legal immigrants, it would have proposed English teaching programs that citizens could choose to attend.
There are 30 other states that have implemented “official English” laws. Let’s not add Oklahoma to that list. Vote “no” on SQ 751.
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Boxcar 1 year, 7 months ago
30 states have English as their official language. 50 countries have English as their official language. The U.N. has four official languages, English being one of them.
But if Oklahoma wants to acknowledge English as our official language, then we must all be racist? This is the type of disingenuous argument that makes Oklahomans' reject liberalism. We need more legislatures like Randy Terrill.
bukkaboom 1 year, 7 months ago
Good for Randy Terrill and even better for Oklahoma. Idiot editors.
kdbp1213 1 year, 7 months ago
I wonder: when I move to France next year, will local language, customs, laws, policies, etc. change to accomodate me or will I have to learn the local language, customs, laws, policies, etc. so I can be a productive member of French society???
kdbp1213 1 year, 7 months ago
stop the political correctness: "Native Americans." American Indians want to be called "American Indians" or "Americans".
kdbp1213 1 year, 7 months ago
"Oklahoma’s immigration laws are some of the strictest in the nation."
why do we have illegal immigrants in oklahoma?
chas036 1 year, 7 months ago
All hype and no substance, that is what this law is. Just like all the other so called “strict” immigration laws in this state, this is just another bunch of meaningless words that will do nothing to stop us Latinos from taking over this state and ultimately the country. You can pass all the impotent laws you want, but us illegals know that you don’t have the balls to enforce them, so why should one more law scare us! Even if you do have laws, we have Obama on our side, so you can’t touch us.
When are you gringos going to get it through your heads that us illegal immigrants are the privileged class in this country and we have more rights and privileges than you American citizens . Pass all the laws you want, they’re not going to do a dam bit of good. We are here to stay and there is nothing you can do about it.
We even have the Supreme Court on our side. Last year the supreme courted ruled that identity theft and forgery are acceptable practices if you are an illegal immigrant and we can not be prosecuted. So now we can steal all the identities we want, and forge all the documents we want, and fraud city and state governments out of welfare, and there is nothing you can do about it because we are illegal immigrants and we are immune form of prosecution. In your face gringos!
Even better yet! Now us illegal immigrants have the right to vote as stated by the circuit court of appeals last week. The court said that you can not ask us for proof of citizenship, so now we can come in force and vote for liberals who will give us even more rights and power in this country.
Mark your time gringos. In 50 years, Spanish will be the primary language in this country and all you gringo will be signing up for SSL courses (Spanish as a second language)
eightbitgirl 1 year, 7 months ago
I wish there was a way to deport Randy Terrill.