Damn!

Wal-Mart is opening a new chain of Hispanic friendly stores in Phoenix and Houston. The stores will require a bilingual staff and cater to every aspect of the Hispanic community. How ironic that in Phoenix, the center of anti-Hispanic sentiment masked behind the illegal immigration issue, you are going to get a store that caters to the very needs of the people many Phoenix residents want out. Still, you can't be mad at Wal-Mart. They are in the game to make money. Wal-Mart has proven time and time again that they are willing to do anything to make money. Catering to the Hispanic community can make a business a lot of money.
What bothers me about Wal-Mart's new plan is that opening a business where the staff must be bilingual does not help the local community assimilate into American culture. A major complaint from anti-immigrant groups is that many people don't speak English. It's hard to argue against that logic.
It's not about never speaking Spanish again, although I'm sure there are many Republicans who would love to see that happen, it's about becoming part of mainstream society. Speaking Spanish should be a bonus ability for an employee and not a requirement.
As hard working as these migrant groups are and as much as they do contribute to society, their existence in society is jeopardized because they don't speak the English. Opening stores or centers where everything will be available to them in Spanish won't help them learn.
The Spanish-speaking community should learn a little something from the Japanese-Americans, Chinese-Americans and Korean-Americans that have been in America as long as Hispanics have. Learn the language. It won't hurt and will benefit the community as a whole.
Unlike European immigrants who came and continue to come to America, Hispanics will still be labeled illegal immigrants regardless of their actual legal status. There is little that can be done about that. However, by learning to read, write and speak English, things can get better for people in those communities. It would benefit society as a whole.
When corporations and government agencies facilitate a group's native language, it tells members of that groups that is fine not to speak English, hindering the group's ability to assimilate into American culture.
Still, in all fairness to Wal-Mart, they are practicing pure capitalism by tapping into a demographic that will make their corporation millions of dollars. Honestly, in America, it is about being No. 1 no matter who you walk over.