'You've Got Mail' -- and it's anti-Latino!

by Jenny

One of the great things about this country is that we have freedom of speech. That is truly wonderful. The sad thing is, there are times when I feel that if I actually use this freedom, and challenge people on things they say, in "exercising their freedom", I will somehow be the one to lose out by losing friends or potential friends, promotional opportunities, etc.

I listen at work as my co-workers complain about our clients who can not speak English. I never say anything, and I try to ignore them. I am the only person on our team who speaks Spanish, and I offer to interpret whenever anyone needs me.

Today, I got this e-mail from a woman I know:

Here's a new telephone greeting I'd like to hear on all company's
answering greeting with their name. Wouldn't it be something, if this
caught on, all over the country...?

"GOOD MORNING, WELCOME TO THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ."

"Press "1" if you speak English."
"Press '2' to disconnect until you can"

Now, I am going to admit that I am a wimp. I am a wimp, because I find it easier to complain about things on the Internet, potentially to many people who I don't even know, than to address things that bother me at the source of the bothering.

The above e-mail is just a sample, and is definitely not the worst thing I have received in my in box. Usually, I just quickly delete e-mails that I find off color or bothersome, and try to tell myself to consider the source, and move on.

Here is my dilemma: If we repeatedly hear or see things that are offensive, and never speak up,and let people know that we do not agree with, or appreciate this type of thinking, are we just as guilty as they are?

Or are we possibly even worse?