It is difficult to focus on all we agree on when one issue separates us.
And so it is with the push by Councilman Eric Crafton to have Nashville voters decide whether English should be the language of operation in Music City. A vote on the referendum could come in January.
I don't like the referendum and find it unnecessary. All Hispanics know that English is necessary for empowerment. And in so many places across Nashville, people who look like me are in classes learning English.
One of those places is at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Nashville.
Church officials are looking to expand on this learning surge through use of a computer lab and the software Rosetta Stone. I know from personal experience about the success of such labs, setting up ones at two Metro schools and St. Edward Catholic Church.
The extra benefit from such a setup is that children and adults also can learn computer skills while they are learning the language.
The lab at Our Lady's is going to get 10 computers from Catholic Charities, says OLG administrator and California transplant Hector Martinez. Another 10 new computers are needed to complete the lab and meet the demand of Hispanic parishoners to learn English.
Councilman Crafton should be pleased about this situation. And I would invite him and his supporters to make a positive investment in the cause of English being the language of Metro business by contributing 10 computers to the lab. I guarantee them that they and their gift will be treated with respect and gratitude. And I would hope they would come and visit OLG and see their gift in action.
From division, we can and should find common ground. I hope Councilman Crafton and his supporters would agree.
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