Diversity Sensitivity Assignment

The passage below is taken from a speech made by a famous American. Please read the passage and answer the questions below.

I agree that these people are a matter of great concern to us. I fear that one day, through their mistakes or ours, great troubles may occur. The ones who come here are usually the most stupid of their nation. Few understand our language, so we cannot communicate with them through our newspapers. Their priests and religious leaders seem to have little influence over them. They are not used to freedom and do not know how to use it properly. It has been reported that young men do not believe they are true men until they have shown their manhood by beating their mothers. They do not believe they are truly free unless they also abuse and insult their teachers.

And now they are coming to our country in great numbers. Few of their children know English. They bring in much of their own reading from their homeland and print newspapers in their own language. In some parts of our state, ads, street signs, and even some legal documents are in their own language and allowed in courts.

Unless the stream of these people can be turned away from their country to other countries, they will soon outnumber us so that we will not be able to save our language or our government. However, I am not in favor of keeping them out entirely. All that seems necessary is to distribute them more evenly among us and set up more schools that teach English. In this way, we will preserve the true heritage of our country.

1. Who do you think is speaking? ________________________________
2. In what decade in American history do you think the speech was given? ______________
3. What ethnic group do you think is being targeted by the speaker? ____________________
4. What are 2 statements that are presented as fact by the speaker?
   1. _______________________________________________________________
   2. _______________________________________________________________
5. What are 2 statements that are presented as opinion by the speaker?
   1. _______________________________________________________________
   2. _______________________________________________________________
6. On the back of this paper, in 3 or 4 sentences, explain how you felt after completing this section of class?