Big problema

It is common knowledge that if you curse in school, you're going to get in trouble. For example, saying the F-word will likely result in a talk with the principal or maybe detention. You wouldn't get suspended, though, unless you say something really, really offensive, something like "no problema," which translates to "no problem" in English. \nIn early December of last year, 16-year-old Zachary Rubio was suspended for uttering that phrase in the halls of his high school. At Endeavor Alternative School in Kansas City, Kan., they don't stand for foul language, and apparently they don't stand for Spanish either. \nRubio described the situation to The Washington Post, "We were in the, like, hall or whatever, on restroom break. This kid I know, he's like, 'Me prestos un dolar?' ('Will you lend me a dollar?') Well, he asked in Spanish; it just seemed natural to answer that way. So I'm like, 'No problema.'" \nHe talks like every other American teen, grammatically flawed but clearly and without an accent. He learned Spanish from his father, a native speaker.\nBut after overhearing the simple exchange of words in Spanish between Rubio and another student, a teacher sent him to the principal's office and he was suspended for a day and a half. \nAccording to The Post, students describe the school's principal, Jennifer Watts, as a disciplinarian, but on this day she got a little carried away. \nIn a written "discipline referral," Watts explained the suspension by noting, "This isn't the first time we have (asked) Zach and others not to speak Spanish at school." \nThis is a ridiculous reason; no way is it illegal to speak Spanish in a public school! \nWatts might not like that bilingual students speak Spanish at school, but frankly, her opinion doesn't matter.\nThere is no excuse for her ac\ntion; it's discrimination. \nBut at the same time, it's somewhat understandable. \nIt has been my experience that many Americans are afraid of foreign languages. When I was younger I remember getting dirty looks in the grocery checkout line whenever my mom and I spoke to each other in Spanish. I guess people thought we were talking bad about them even though that wasn't the case -- most of the time. \nWhether at a store or at a public high school, students should be allowed to speak whatever language they want outside class. If anything, the school should encourage their bilingual students to practice their second language because this skill will serve as a major asset in their future, possibly opening up better job opportunities. \nIf Principal Watts so dislikes hearing Spanish spoken, she might as well ban Spanish Americanisms like "hasta la vista" and "adios." She can have her very own Spanish-English War.\nIt's a good thing Watts doesn't have that much power. Immediately after she issued Rubio the suspension, the school district reversed the punishment, stating that speaking a foreign language isn't grounds for suspension. \nRubio's father has decided to sue the school over the incident. As he should. It's ridiculous to think that the principal of this school is allowed to discriminate against bilingual students. Principal Watts needs to realize that being bilingual is an advantage for these students, not a problema.