In the United States, speaking Spanish can be dangerous. In the last year or so, we’ve seen a rise of attacks – both physical and verbal – on people for simply Spanish, the world’s second most spoken language. Last week in Lovettsville, Virginia, a white woman berated a Latina woman – who was sitting with family visiting from Guatemala – at Andy’s restaurant.
“She asked for passports; she said that she knew everybody in Loudon County to get us out of here, and she started saying that we were supposed to speak English, but I’m like, ‘we’re not talking to you,’” the victim, who chose to remain anonymous, said, according to NBC Washington. “They’re here visiting and they don’t know English, so how do you want them to speak English when they’re just here visiting?”
Snippets of the incident have appeared online. The gringa, who wears sunglasses the entire time, harasses the family. Outside of the restaurant, she says you don’t “freeload” in the US.
She didn’t get charged with any crimes. The restaurant, however, said the woman is no longer welcome in the establishment.