The ISU American Civil Liberties Union’s forum touched on political, as well as personal issues surrounding civil liberties and English-only legislation Tuesday.

Jose Amaya, assistant professor of English, and Robert Baum, associate professor of religious studies, spoke to more than 20 members of the ISU community about legislation that made English the official language of Iowa at 8 p.m. in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union.

“Spanish has been spoken in the continental [United States] at least 100 years longer than English,” Baum said. “So we should stop thinking of Spanish as a foreign language and start thinking of it as one of the two most widely spoken American languages.”

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed with Mexico in 1848, guarantees “full equality of Mexicans and Anglos in all the lands of the Mexican cession,” Baum said.

He said Iowa passed the English-only legislation without consulting historians or lawyers with historical background.

“We are depriving Spanish-speaking people of equal protection under the law,” Baum said. “If Gov. [Tom] Vilsack was serious about attracting immigrants, he just pulled up the welcome mat.”

Amaya said many legislators think making English the official language of Iowa creates unity among residents – an idea he disagrees with.

“It doesn’t promote unity in and of itself. It takes common vision and common goals to promote unity,” he said. “If [speaking English promotes unity] then why did Native Americans and African Americans have such a hard time being seen as equals?”

Baum said the legislation sends a negative message to U.S. citizens who may think about moving to Iowa. He said other non-English speaking people may not have become U.S. citizens had this kind of thinking prevailed.

“We might look at Benjamin Franklin’s views toward Germans,” Baum said. “He argued that their guttural language would affect American integrity.”

Amaya had tears in his eyes as he spoke about growing up as a Latino, learning about patriotism and American history.

“Fourth grade was a long time ago, but I believed all that stuff,” Amaya said. “If this country ever called me into service I would go, but [legislation like this] isn’t what I got a Ph.D. for.”

Baum said a good beginning would be for Spanish-speaking students to teach those students who only speak English, and vice versa.

Dave Hukill, sophomore in English, learned about the forum from Amaya, his Latino Studies professor.

“I’m really against this English-only bill and thought that [the forum] might be some good supplementary information,” Hukill said. “I learned a little more than just the basic surface information. It’s more than the subjective opinion, but I would liked to have seen some more debate.”