Sierra Madre Earthquake

I hope no one ever dies because they did not speak the language of disaster. This is America and the language is English. When the next major quake occurs, we will be on our own during the first critical hours.

How will a nurse from Mexico treat a mother from India if neither can communicate? What will happen to a neighborhood if a Southeast Asian starts smoking next to a sign that says “Danger, Gas Leak”? How many different signs would the National Guard have to put up giving directions to food and water?

I do not care what you eat or wear. I do not care how you run your family or business. I do care that you learn enough English so that if I drive down the street with my bullhorn blaring “the dam is breaking, get to high ground!” you will live. When danger strikes, it will not ask where we came from or how long we have been here. We must pull together or die. Bilingual education is a disaster in a disaster.

WOODROW J. HUGHES

Northridge