Considering that the 1850 U.S. Census, taken just after Iowa became a state, lists 16 residents from Mexico and one from South America, it is very difficult to believe that the workforce to teach Spanish at Iowa’s schools is in deficit.

In a region that was once owned by and settled by Spain, current natives and residents seem to exercise some kind of preference in hiring what they understand are pure Spanish speakers.

It seems that Spaniards are in demand; that is, people from Europe seem more likely to be hired as Spanish teachers.

The state’s government has recently been considering the declaration of an English-only law. This kind of legislation appears highly segregational and may encourage racist expressions.

Still, there is a need in Iowa to hire Spanish teachers. Iowa needs to deal with reality in this sense. There are some facts to cope with such as the reality that Hispanics have been recently declared the largest minority in the United States. And Iowa is no exception. Let’s say we decide to ignore this fact. Then we would be in definite need to take a look at the world around us, a world in which business takes place, the setting in which people are aware of the fast-growing markets in Spanish-speaking countries.

Of course Iowans want to be there to be part of an economic growth that will benefit the state.

An article in the Des Moines Register a few months ago claimed the need for Iowans to visit Spain in order to be able to hire Spanish teachers.

On the other hand, and quite paradoxically, there are some cases of qualified Hispanics who are being kept from giving Spanish classes in Iowa schools. Not only do the recruitment efforts in Spain seem questionable, but also the rules seem to be bent for non-native Spanish speakers working as Spanish teachers without a license.

I have felt the fire. Beyond the job market there appears to be some type of resentment to the Hispanic accent, but just last week I learned that the Department of Transportation is taking a second look at Hispanics applying for a driver’s license.

The procedure calls for the officer to place a call to the central offices before issuing the permit.

While in classes, classmates react incredulously when presented with events in which some racist attitude may have been assumed. Hispanics have to react heartbroken at the system’s special procedures when it comes to dealing with us.

Don’t take me wrong. I will not come up with the same mistake that most people make when a racist frame of mind takes over them. We can’t generalize.

There are thousands of Iowans that welcome the peculiar “ee” sounds of English spoken by a Hispanic. They welcome the newcomers. They understand Iowa’s roots and the presence of Hispanics in Iowa land since the creation of the state. They are open to new experiences. They are anxious for learning Spanish or other languages.

They want to communicate with other cultures. After all, they can only gain from the experience. The preoccupation for any Iowan as well as people from any descent must be about the official attitude.

A few seeds of rejection or selective treatment that grow to become an accepted belief may be at stake. These seeds need undoubtedly be pointed out, discussed out loud and removed, before the shadow of oppression and rejection overcomes the good will of the wise.

Zayira Jordan is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.