On "Literacy and Language Diversity in the United States" by Terrence G. Wiley

 After reading the book I found myself having the same thought Frank has about the author trying to objectively support bilingualism and the right for minorities, or anybody for that matter, to receive a bilingual education. Chapter 6 of the book further supports this idea while it explains how there are status designations with learning a language: if you are an English native speaker learning a second language gives you prestige while native speakers of languages other than English are only encouraged to learn and speak English. What Wiley says about this rings true to me “language is a maker of status” (122) and it is often used in the State as a way of discrimination or linguicism(122). Policy makers in states like Arizona, California and Massachusetts are clear linguicists that have based their decisions on flawed research and their own prejudices against language but policy makers in other states are not exempt either. While they have not been as strict as the latter three states they are to blame as well because they have used their power to under fund and diminish bilingual programs in areas where these minority populations are increasing. I think Wiley is not implying his point of view but presenting a reality with valid facts and research, as he cited “language discrimination can be taken as the denial of equal worth” (122).