#SOL19 Day 2: Interrogating the Intersection of Language and Privilege

As I stood in line, patiently waiting for the apartment leasing agent to retrieve my package, I noticed a middle-aged couple with anxious, worried looks on their faces. Their teenage daughter, who didn't appear to be more than 15 years old, leaned against the counter, studying the family's monthly rent invoice. In a frustrated tone, her dad spit out a string of words in Spanish, grabbed her by the arm, and motioned her forward towards the young white woman at the computer. The timid girl spoke softly as she attempted to translate what her parents were trying to communicate. The rent this month was higher than her parents expected, and because her mom and dad did not speak English, she was forced to negotiate with the agent. Why was the bill so much higher? Had they missed a payment somehow? We're they being evicted? None of it made sense to the adolescent who was bravely trying to navigate an adult problem. Her mom and dad rattled off more details in Spanish, and she did her best to relay the information to the blonde lady comfortably seated behind the desk.

Watching the scene unfold, my heart hurt for this young girl. I found myself reflecting on my own privilege, and I couldn't help but think about our college kiddos who are just now learning adult lessons like these at the age of 21 and 24. Never once were they required to speak on behalf of the grown-ups in their lives. Never once were they expected to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Amidst the intensity of the moment, I doubt this bilingual teen appreciated the fact she could speak two languages. Her ability to maneuver through the situation was both inspiring and impressive. Dr. Brené Brown has written, “What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.” I am grateful I got the chance to see resilience on display. Privilege lurks in every corner of our lives, and today I witnessed how language limits and expands our worlds. 

Years ago I heard a painful joke that went something like this . . . 

• What do you call someone who speaks THREE languages? Trilingual
• What do you call someone who speaks TWO languages? Bilingual
• What do you call someone who speaks ONE language? An American

I hope someday we live in a country where all of humanity appreciates, accepts, and celebrates the beauty found in multilingualism.