Celebrate linguistic diversity, reject divisive 'English-only' policies

The United States has historically embraced its diversity of languages and cultures, including American Sign Language used by many deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Declaring English the sole "official" language would undermine our nation's foundational values of inclusion and equal opportunity for all, marginalizing not only speakers of other world languages but also those who communicate through ASL. English proficiency should not be a prerequisite for full participation in civic life. Appointing one language as superior excludes vibrant communities who have enriched America through their linguistic traditions. Instead of divisive policies, we should invest in improving access to English and ASL learning resources while celebrating our heritage as a richly multilingual and multimodal society. Promoting unity through mutual understanding and respect for all citizens, regardless of native tongue or preferred language modality, will strengthen the fabric of our republic.