Theodore Roosevelt and Brighton Beach: Political Confrontation

By Alex Pitersky

Part 1

Quotes

1. “Only U.S. citizens may legally vote. In order to become a naturalized American citizen, our laws require that you demonstrate "an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write and speak . . . simple words and phrases . . . in ordinary usage in the English language."

2. “Printing ballots in foreign languages is fundamentally anti-democratic because fair elections depend on public debate on the issues and candidates. People who don't understand the public debate are subject to manipulation by political-action groups that can mislead them in language translations and then tell them how to vote”. -- Phyllis Schlafly Reports, (http://www.eagleforum.org/)

Part 2

Ecstatic Faces

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American ... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." - Theodore Roosevelt, 1907

But this was Theodore Roosevelt. A genuine (I stress – GENUINE, and not like George W. Bush or Dick Cheney) republican. Back then, in effect were principles under which the Republican Party flourished. A real politician, who worked to benefit the America as a whole. This was a PERSONALITY. He was a far distance from politics in today’s understanding of this word: mad, and not always clean, the race for voters at government’s expense.

And this was over 100 years ago.

Along the same lines actions unfold in our days. The main characters are – the democrats, politicians far from being on a level that of Roosevelt. Representatives elected by the people residing in those areas where large portions of the population are elderly and unemployed Russian – speaking folk, who receive supplemental security income, otherwise known as SSI. Citizens and active voters.

 

Take a look at these ecstatic faces! Give the impression that they finally found a way out of this financial crisis, which methodically brings small businesses to the point of bankruptcy (since the government, as I personally see it, has money but only to save huge companies retaining bonuses for their CEOs and for the maintenance of their own machine). It would seem that they put an end to unemployment or, at the very least, forced the “big wigs” on Wall Street to face those, who saved them from a complete demise – it’s tough for the working folk.

No, dear friends. The reason for this celebration is quiet different.

In New York a law passed regarding the use of Russian language in the elections. From now on, all related documents will be translated to Russian, along with Spanish or Chinese!

Yet another portion of our money went to a project, debatable if needed, far from being a first priority in these most difficult of times for all people working in the private sector. At the time, when banks right under the noses of these politicians deprive small businesses of already issued to them credit lines, which forces them to lay people off in droves. At a time, when 30 million people do not have and cannot afford medical coverage and even in cases of serious illness do not have access to doctors and medical care.

But this, it seems, is not important. Important – are the voters, especially those, who, thank goodness, live comfortably sponging off the government. Those who, thankfully, are not affected by the current crisis in the country and will most likely vote for those politicians, who promise to give them the most government money and who are better at presenting the package to them. And in a neighborhood such as Brighton Beach, where the documents to instate this law were signed, as we know, there are plenty exemplars of the aforementioned.

The bill was supported by a sufficient number of politicians. Its adversary is the New York City administration. The City Hall resistance was motivated by the fact that, this is VERY EXPENSIVE. Today, in my opinion, this argument carries a lot of weight. Still supporters of this law explained, that numbers show the Russian-speaking population in New York is one of the largest, third behind Spanish – speaking and Chinese - speaking communities.

The question is – to what extent do people actually need these materials?

Part 3

From official sources…

Directs board of elections in N.Y. city to furnish voting materials in Russian language as well as in English
Directs board of elections in a city of over one million to furnish voting materials in Russian language as well as in English; further directs the board of elections to produce and disseminate a citywide booklet that includes a voter registration form in English with instructions in Russian and other instructions.
BILL NUMBER: S552

TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the election law, in relation to providing Russian
language voting materials

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
To provide voting materials printed in Russian language as well as
English.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
The election law is amended by adding a new section 3-506, which
states that a board of elections in a city of over one million shall
provide the same information in Russian that it provides in languages
other than English on its website.

JUSTIFICATION :
According to a March 2004 MSNBC article, there are 320,000 residents
in the New York Metropolitan Area who were born in Russia and other
Soviet Union countries. The same article also says that there are
between 1 and 1.5 million Russian-speaking people living there. There
are some Assembly districts that have significant Russian speaking
populations, up to even 20% of some districts' total population. These
people are being shut out of the voting process unfairly because of
their language. Voting and registration materials are printed in many
languages other than English, but Russian has long been ignored. These
people aren't voting because they aren't registered and they aren't
registered because they can't read the materials in English to do so.
If New. York State wants to equally represent all of its citizens, it
mush pass this act to enfranchise another of its culturally diverse\immigrantpopulations, like many that have come before it.

EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date 011 which it shall have become law.
open.nysenate.gov/openleg/api/html/bill/S552

Part 4

Conversation on Brighton Beach Ave

I worked using the old method – went out on the street, introduced myself as a journalist and began to ask elderly people, solely for whom this law was instated.

Admittedly – I did not act by all the rules of statistical science. Simply following the first of the conversations, everything became clear to me. I repeat – to me. I do not claim it is the ultimate truth and admit, that some things I may have interpreted inadequately.

Why Brighton Beach?

Only because if I tried to do this anywhere else, for instance, Long Island or Staten Island, then I would simply not be understood.
I present a “collective” compilation of interviews based on the responses of different people:

1. Are you satisfied with the passing of this law?

Yes, because more politicians will realize: the Russian community is becoming a serious political power in New York.

2. Is this law necessary for the immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who speak English?
Meaning, will they be reading translated materials?

No. After all they speak English. And they are the OVERWHELMING majority. Doctors, lawyers, programmers, engineers, government employees, skilled workers, policemen … Why do they need any of this?

More than that, I feel bad for our children. With the instatement of this law, in a way, they become second class citizens. I doubt that those people born in the US will treat them better after this.
On the contrary. The society presently is very politicized and all are watching how government money is appropriated. And in this moment … our children are being thrown under the bus, when so much noise is made out of something like this.

3. How about the elderly, those who do not speak English?

For what? Politics are like business. The one who advertizes best, is the one who will win. The private sector will do everything on its own. We came here from a socialist country and know very well how it can be, when the government interferes with businesses and personal lives.

Let me explain. We have Davidson radio – PRIVATELY OWNED Russian – speaking radio, oriented especially toward those people who speak English poorly or those who, on the contrary, miss the native language. So there, this radio, copes perfectly with those functions, which the politicians want to take upon themselves.

This radio, AT THE COST OF ITS OWNERS, informs us regarding all local political news. Here politicians present their pre-election speeches, accounting for the work they have done. That is where everything is explained to us, I would even say – everything relative to an election is broken down to its smallest components. In conclusion, we don’t really have a need for these translations. I don’t know who is going to be reading them, when all this can be heard on the radio in a form that is a lot more interesting and less officious.
And judging by the programs and the number of commercials, this radio will be around for a long time. At least until Gregory Davidson decides to retire, however, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen in the nearest 20 years (chuckles).

Other than that, I have never had any problems at the voting poles. Respectful Russian – speaking volunteers showed and explained everything.

4. I don’t understand. Almost all elderly people attended, at the expense of the government, classes specifically for the purpose of learning to speak the English language. By my estimations, the government spent from 3 to 10 thousand dollars per person. Where is the result? Why is there a need to translate any documents?

Classes –it’s perfect. There we learned a lot. For instance, I know, approximately 20 words. If you count that even “everything” was $1,000.00, then it comes out to $50.00 per word (chuckles). But I had a great time.

But on account of either or simultaneously: if we’re being handed something, we take it. We didn’t think up these laws or programs to learn the language. Do away with these classes and spend this money on something more necessary. Ultimately, we all have children and grandchildren who work and perfectly understand how difficult it is for them now.

Part 5

And again quotes

1. "Speaking English is the greatest asset you can possess to get a better job, get involved in your community, and to get on and do well for yourself and your family”

2. "Translation can never be a substitute for learning English and we need a fundamental rebalancing of our approach putting a greater focus on learning English."

3. "Automatic translation of all public materials can just reinforce the language barrier, act as a brake on opportunity and make it harder to integrate non-English speaking residents into the country." -- Hazel Blears telegraph.co.uk

“In my humble opinion, I just don't understand real purpose of this bill. Majority of politically active Russian Americans are fluent in English and got no need to translate it to Russian. That first. The second - what kind of Russian language it's gotta be translated? Official Russian? Literary Russian? And who's will provide QA for it? It's two different kind of our native tongue, both practically un-understandable by many Russian emigrants, let's tell the truth. Third - to me it's another pork barrel, another waste of taxpayers’ money for mostly symbolic purpose. And fourth - for hard-working Middle Class Russian-Americans it's real slap in a face. Wanna make some important political decisions? Learn English, comrade. As simple as is”. -- Boris Borovoy

And to conclude the citations from the article “Voluntary segregation” written by Yevgeny Novitsky, translated from Russian by Lucy Gunderson, but published in a Russian-speaking newspaper “Russian Bazaar”:

“I remember many years ago that my American tutor said, "The only people who can be disappointed in the United States are those who do not know English, because it is the universal key to all doors." I become more and more convinced of the wisdom of this statement every day. Lack of English completely cuts people off from the real America. They are forced to communicate with people who have a very limited range of interests. Fear of learning English transforms, over time, into an inferiority complex that breeds rage, envy, and hatred. Just think about why such a spiteful atmosphere reigns in Brighton Beach. I am truly sorry for Russian-speaking immigrants who perceive the adoption of the Russian Language Voters Bill as an historic event. To be honest, I would be far happier if one fine day New York officials were to announce that the Russian-speaking community (as is) no longer existed. Then Governor Paterson would say something like, "Russian-speaking immigrants have melded so seamlessly into American life that it is no longer possible to separate them into a distinct ethnic enclave. We can now proudly call them Americans of Russian descent." Then the group of loud enthusiasts who call themselves "community leaders" would stop speaking on behalf of the entire Russian-language community. Redundant associations and coalitions that exist mostly because of the language barrier would disappear. And to the proposals by officials to translate materials into Russian, every one of "our" U.S. citizens would answer indignantly but proudly, "Who do you take me for? I AM AN AMERICAN."