Aurora Clark-Grohman

Eng 1A, Johnston

Essay 1, 767 words                 

09/15/06

  Controversial Cheesesteaks

            The United State’s population is hugely diverse and more immigrants, both legal and illegal, are moving here every year. They bring not only their history and culture with them, but often their native languages. English is not the official language of the United States of America. It is, however, the dominant one, and there is a constant debate over whether to make it official or not. The language debate and growing immigrant population are tied together in concerns about racial and cultural sensitivity and discrimination.

            Controversy flared up recently over a sign in Philadelphia’s Geno’s Steaks that reads, “This is AMERICA—WHEN ORDERING PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.” People claim that this is discriminatory and alienates those who do not speak English. These people are following a gut reaction, however, and have not stopped to consider the matter further. The sign is, in fact, not at all discriminatory. Geno’s has posted a polite, reasonable request to their customers, singling out no one minority or non-English speaking group, and as such has done nothing wrong.

            It is important to look carefully at the sign in Geno’s Steaks and see exactly what it is and is not saying to discern whether or not it crosses the line. To “discriminate” is defined in the Oxford American Dictionary as “to make a distinction, to give unfair treatment, especially because of prejudice” (“Discriminate”). The sign is making a distinction: they ask that patrons order in English rather than any other language. They are not, however, stipulating that if a patron will not or, more importantly, cannot, order in English, the patron will not be served. Geno’s does not treat any patrons unfairly; owner Joe Vento has repeatedly asserted that “nobody gets refused.” (Your World With Neil Cavuto). There may or may not be prejudicial feelings entertained or perhaps even expressed by the owner and staff of Geno’s Steaks—but that is not the issue. The issue here is clearly about the sign’s language and whether the sign itself is discriminatory, and going by the Oxford American dictionary’s definition, it is not.

            Critics of Geno’s would assert that the language of the sign is stand offish and potentially alienating to non-English speaking customers. Though the first few words “This is AMERICA” may admittedly be unnecessary and inflammatory, the intent of the sign is not malicious. As owner Joe Vento said, “If you don’t speak English, the sign means nothing to you…if you do…[it is saying] speak English. Be Proud. You’re an American.” (Your World With Neil Cavuto) This is a critical point—if a patron cannot speak English, it is more than likely they cannot read English, and thus will not be affected by the sign. And again, according to Mr. Vento, those who neither speak nor read English will still be served.

            It is also important to note that the sign does not demand English be spoken while on the premises, only while ordering. Such a distinction clearly illustrates that the sign was posted to make the job more manageable for Geno’s Steaks’ employees. It is not often a requirement in food service that an employee speak multiple languages, and it is quite likely that Mr. Vento has experienced complaints and/or reduced service speed because of people attempting to order in other languages. Since those who cannot order in English are still served, the only people the sign is directed at are those who can speak English but choose not to. Such behavior is unreasonable; when a person moves to or even visits another country, it is common courtesy to attempt to say at least basic things in the host country’s tongue. If a person has moved to the United States and is capable of speaking English to order their Cheesesteak, there is no comprehensible reason why they should not do so. Thus Geno’s Steaks’sign requesting that those who are capable please order English is entirely reasonable.

            As the United States continues to become more diverse one hopes that sensitivity toward these different cultures and ethnicities will expand exponentially. This is not a one way street, however, and as long as the United States dominant language is English business owners should be allowed to post requests that patrons utilize that language. If immigrants are not sensitive to that right as a business owner and citizen, they are unlikely to be treated with sensitivity themselves. To quote Joe Vento once more, “You can have your culture. Nobody is taking that away. The common denominator [here] is the English language.” (Your World With Neil Cavuto)