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outline of articles I planned was well received. One editor informed
me a month later that the series was not economically feasible at that
time. That same day the media announced a pending reduction of 25% of
the newspaper's personnel.
From the reception I received at several Latin American social
and civic functions, I concluded that English speakers who were in
terested in Cuban-Americans were not shut out but welcomed. Many other
observations supported this conclusion: the Cuban-American teachers'
willingness to provide me space and time for the research, the warmth
and enthusiasm with which I was greeted at a dinner commemorating Jos
Marti, the many invitations I received to attend other club and civic
meetings, the people who met with me to discuss ideas on the proposed
newspaper series.
However, the welcome was not always mutual. An exchange at a
bakery near the school illustrates the differences in language ideology.
While I was chatting in Spanish with the owner of the bakery, a customer
entered scowling, "Do you have any Cuban pastries today?"
"No, we have sold out today. I'm sorry. We'll have some more
tomorrow," replied the baker.
"Are you sure you'll have them tomorrow? Do you understand? Are
you sure you know what I'm saying?"
"Oh, yes sir. I'm very sure."
Well, I don't know. You bilinguals are all alike.
You say yes when you don't know anything that's
being said. You people make me very angry. You
don't even want to speak English. All the time,
you just speak Spanish. Well, you're here now, not
in Cuba. It's time you realized that! I wouldn't
even come here except my wife wants a loaf of Cuban
bread for the party she's having.