Dare County Board's resolution endorsing English divides community

By Michelle Wagner, Correspondent

The Dare County Board of Commissioners has adopted a resolution making English the county's official language that should be "used by all."

The resolution, passed 4-3 last week, states that while Dare County has welcomed immigrants of "all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds and social-economic classes," they have a difficult time "melting" into society if they cannot read or write the English language.

Commissioner Jack Shea of Southern Shores, who brought the idea to the board and helped craft the resolution, said its intent was not to cause discord among the community or any one group.

"It was meant to encourage all immigrants to more easily assimilate into our society and not be isolated," Shea said. "We all need to have a common language. We need to be able to freely communicate with everyone so everyone can understand everyone else."

But the resolution did cause some divisiveness on the board and in the community.

Commissioner Allen Burrus said he felt the resolution was offensive.

"I don't think the resolution does anything productive, and it penalizes those who are trying to do things right," he said, adding that he works with many immigrants who work hard and struggle with the English language.

Board Chairman Warren Judge also strongly opposed the resolution.

"I felt it was discriminatory and based on fear and maybe even something worse," he said Friday. "No one has yet to show me what they hope to accomplish by this," he said, adding that it has created apprehension among county immigrants who worry that some of the services the county provides them will be taken away.

Judge offered assurances that the resolution, which is meant to simply show the feeling of the majority of the board, does not have any legal bearing. He said county services, such as interpretive services and English as a Second Language programs, will continue as always.

America United Mano al Hermano, an organization based in Kitty Hawk that works to improve the quality of life for Hispanics in Dare County, submitted a written statement to the board opposing the resolution.

The group stated that such a resolution infers that "foreign languages are indicators of divisiveness and cannot be tolerated."

"We are concerned that the resolution will be perceived as a threat among the immigrant and Hispanic community," the statement read. "It is a blunt instrument directed at the very foundation of our country, which thrived because of its immigrant base."

Danyele Graham, a member of the organization, said later she "was shocked and saddened by the disregard for the welfare and care of individuals who live, work and reside in Dare County."

"It is seen as a beginning step toward other restrictive measures directly aimed at the Hispanic population of our community," she said.

Commissioners Shea, Richard Johnson, Mike Johnson and Max Dutton voted in favor of the resolution, while Burrus, Judge and Virginia Tillett cast the dissenting votes.