The times, they aren't always a changin'

My ancestors on my dad's side of the family—Germans from Russa—came to Colorado in the early 1900s to work in the sugar beet fields near a tiny Colorado town called Sugar City. I often think about them when I read about suspicion, prejudice, and anger toward immigrants today. It's nothing new, of course. 

I have a copy of a letter from 1918, sent by the pastor of the German Lutheran St. Paul's Church of Sugar City to the governor of Colorado. The pastor was worried because "On last Friday demand was made upon us by a number of citizens of our hiterto peaceful town to discontinue all use of the German language, not only in the parochial school and Sunday-school, but also in our church services, giving us the alternative of complying with the demand or having our church property burned down."

Use English or we'll burn your church down? Anti-German sentiment during World War I was prevalent, but—as the pastor points out in his letter—the members of his church had "bought bonds, war savings stamps, given toward the Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., Soldiers and Sailors Aid etc; in short they have proven themselves loyal citizens of our government." However, most of these new farmer immigrants did not speak English. When were they going to study English? Farming is very hard work with long hours, and it was even harder in those days.

Whenever I hear people angrily say, "Learn English!", I wonder if they know how hard it is to become fluent in a new language, especially as an adult. I wonder how many of their own ancestors struggled with or never learned English. I know my grandparents did not speak English (though we suspect they understood a lot more than they let on). I imagine they were just a teensy bit busy, running a farm and raising 10 children. Those 10 children, like the children of most immigrants, did become English speakers. 

In his letter, the Sugar City pastor asks the governor for advice, pointing out that conducting services in English would be the same as depriving his church members "of all services." He points out that "under the constitution of our country, we have the right of free exercise of our religion." He suggests that a word from the governor could help "quiet the sentiments and relieve tension."

What happened? The typed letter has a note scrawled on it, saying "Please make a copy" and "Should handle personally." Did the governor do anything? I don't know. The war ended just a couple of months later, so perhaps the issue resolved itself.

Yes, it would be nice if everyone could learn a new language at the drop of a hat. It would also be nice if we all could remember that immigrants do learn English, but it may take a generation.

 

 

Comments

[Victoria]

Well said. As an adult English-speaker, I've often told myself that "this year I'll start learning another language"--and so far I've never found the time or the will.

[Liesl Garner]

Now I remember why Rosa Parks and Sojourner Truth are on my mind tonight. I read this article of yours earlier in the week, and it was so powerful and poignant, I didn't know how to respond at the time. Tonight as I was writing, and these amazing women were so fresh in my mind, I realized that your words and this story have been percolating in my heart for almost 5 days. This is beautifully written. Heartbreaking and gorgeous. Thank you for sharing!