Given that xenophobia is a major issue in America now do think being bilingual is dangerous?

Exactly a year ago my wife and I visited our son and his family stationed in Germany. One morning at breakfast, in a small village hotel, my wife, granddaughter, and I were joined by the hotel manager for breakfast. He spoke English and Spanish very well. He and my teenage granddaughter conversed in German. He introduced us to a Spanish guest. The Spaniard and I conversed in English and Spanish.

The manager then said to me, “You know, when it comes to languages spoken, there are three kinds of people. People like your granddaughter who speak more than two languages are called multilingual. People like you who speak two languages are called bilingual. Then there are people who speak only one language. They are called Americans.”

I must admit that at first I felt insulted. But that conversation reminded me of my experience as a child attending school in San Antonio. Going into San Antonio on IH-35 about 3 miles past Splashtown and one block after the Walters Street underpass on the right is John J. Pershing Elementary School. The playground has a concrete barrier wall about 10 feet high. As a child I spent many recess periods there with my nose touching the wall and my hands behind my back. The crime? Talking Spanish. Ironically, 30 years later, I would be paid a stipend for speaking Spanish while serving overseas.

I am grateful to my parents for their determination that I master both languages in spite of the hardships. Honestly, being bilingual is an advantage.