As of March 1, 2025, English is now the official language of the United States. This is the new Executive Order signed by Trump. Wasn’t English always the official language of the United States? Everyone goes to school to learn English. Everyday people speak English, and many people already know English is important to sustain a lifestyle in this the United States.
The language of the order makes it appear supportive:
“To promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement, it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one—and only one—official language. Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society.”
Unity! This is what our country needs. We need to be united once again. We cannot call ourselves the “United” States if we are all speaking different languages. Ensuring one language throughout our country will lead to unification. The executive order eliminates communication break down between other citizens. Ultimately, it eliminates the need for multi-lingual documents on the federal level. Need government assistance? Learn English.
However, modern America should celebrate diversity because of its unjust history. The indigenous Americans cultivated the lands before any European settlers arrived. Africans became enslaved farmers as the country evolved during the industrious era, while Asian became underpaid laborers. These Americans brought with them their culture and language with them in hopes of a better future for themselves and their families. The executive order overlooks and discredits their historic contributions to the construction of our country.
America has forced English on its citizens before. As white Americans expanded the powerful reach over the country, they told indigenous Americans to speak only English. Forced assimilation. They punished indigenous Americans for speaking in their native language in the form of beating. The erasure of their cultural identity eventually became the consequence for many of these indigenous Americans. For example, many indigenous people have a polytheistic culture. There are words specifically used in their language to describe moods, colors, emotions, and more. Each word aligns to some significance in their culture. Words with no English translation. Making English the official language slowly erases these cultural words.
Every legal document this current administration plans to release will be strictly in English with no federal translation support. We must continue to show empathy for our fellow citizens. Support them as we would want support from them if the situation were reversed. The world is watching the development of our country with the current administration and its citizens’ response to it. We stand at the precipice of defining who we are as Americans. It is important we choose our actions carefully to show the world.
I do not believe this executive order stands for unity. There may be many lawmakers who plan to celebrate and support this EO, but I firmly believe the intent is to separate our country further. For those who are reading this and have skills in other languages, I implore you to reach out to other Americans in these cultural communities to show support for them. Help translate what they are reading so they are aware of their rights; changes to our country and how it will affect them. Teach and/or tutor English for those who are learning the language. Learn another language yourself to broaden your scope of culture and enrich your life through the lens of a different perspective. Language must never be a barrier to humans’ rights to live, which is what this EO creates. We must remain compassionate for each other and show empathy for those who need us the most during these trying times.
About the Creator
Iris Harris
An aspiring novelist. I enjoy writing ghost, horror, and drama. Occassionally, I dabble with some essays. You can find more of my work with the link below:
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Berlin in the Dark: How Climate Activists Left Thousands Without Power
Imagine waking up in the middle of winter in Berlin — the streets are quiet, the heaters are off, your lights don’t work, and your internet is down. That was the reality for tens of thousands of Berliners in early January 2026, after a deliberate attack on the city’s electrical infrastructure. What was meant to be a provocative protest turned into one of Berlin’s longest blackouts in decades, leaving residents and businesses struggling in the cold and prompting a nationwide discussion on climate activism, public safety, and the vulnerability of modern cities. The Day Berlin Went Dark It all started on January 3, 2026, when a fire broke out on a bridge carrying high-voltage cables over the Teltow Canal in southwest Berlin. The blaze severely damaged power lines connected to the Lichterfelde power plant, instantly cutting electricity to large parts of the city. Around 45,000 households and over 2,200 businesses were affected, leaving roughly 100,000 residents without power across neighborhoods like Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee, and Lichterfelde. Schools, hospitals, care homes, and small businesses all faced significant disruption — and with temperatures below -10°C (14°F), the cold nights became a real hazard. Residents described gathering around candles or battery lamps just to stay warm, and one Berliner recalled that a room in her apartment registered only 4°C (39°F) during the blackout — a chilling reminder of how dependent modern life is on electricity. Who Was Behind the Attack? Almost immediately, suspicion fell on political sabotage. Investigators quickly traced the attack to a far-left extremist group known as Vulkangruppe, or the Volcano Group. The group later released a statement claiming responsibility, framing the arson as a protest against fossil fuel reliance and industrial systems harming the planet. In their own words, the group insisted that the blackout wasn’t their goal — it was meant as a symbolic strike against fossil fuel infrastructure. But for authorities and the public, the human cost was undeniable, and federal prosecutors opened a full investigation into charges ranging from arson to terrorism. Life Without Power A blackout in a modern city is more than just an inconvenience — it’s a test of resilience. Berliners faced immediate challenges: No heating in freezing temperatures, forcing residents to find alternative ways to stay warm. Transport disruptions, with overground trains halted in affected areas. Communication issues, as mobile networks and internet services were compromised. Hospitals relying on backup generators to keep critical systems running. Businesses losing perishable goods, and many operations coming to a standstill. For days, the city experienced a glimpse of life without electricity — a reminder that modern urban infrastructure, while efficient, can be surprisingly fragile when attacked. Restoring the Grid Repairing the damage was no small task. Cold weather and icy conditions slowed progress, and the high-voltage cables required careful handling to prevent further outages or accidents. Gradual restoration began after a few days, but it took until the fourth or fifth day for all affected neighborhoods to get power fully restored. Utility crews and emergency services worked tirelessly, highlighting both the complexity of modern infrastructure and the vulnerability it faces in the hands of politically motivated actors. Political and Social Fallout The blackout sparked outrage across Germany. Berlin’s mayor called it a “terrorist attack with massive consequences”, emphasizing the risk to public safety. National prosecutors noted that Vulkangruppe had a history of infrastructure attacks, raising questions about the effectiveness of preventive measures. The incident also triggered wider debates: How secure is modern infrastructure against ideologically motivated attacks? Where is the line between peaceful protest and criminal activity? How can cities ensure resiliency in increasingly complex and digitized systems? Many experts argue that while activism and environmental advocacy are important, actions that endanger lives or critical services cross a line that society cannot tolerate. Lessons for the Future Berlin’s blackout serves as a warning: in an age where cities are heavily dependent on electricity, even symbolic acts can have unintended, dangerous consequences. Some key takeaways include: Infrastructure Protection: High-voltage lines, bridges, and power plants must be monitored and secured against sabotage. Clear Legal Boundaries: Protest is a right, but illegal acts targeting essential services must face consequences. Emergency Preparedness: Cities need robust plans for extended outages — from backup generators to shelters for vulnerable populations. Public Awareness: Citizens should understand both how to stay safe and the broader social impact of infrastructure attacks. The blackout also highlights the tension between activism and responsibility. While climate concerns are urgent, actions that directly harm civilians risk alienating the public and undermining the very cause activists seek to promote. Berlin Reconnects — But the Debate Continues As power returned to all neighborhoods, Berliners reflected on a city temporarily thrown back a century, forced to navigate darkness, cold, and disruption. The investigation into the perpetrators continues, and debates over climate activism, civil disobedience, and public safety are more heated than ever. For urban planners, policymakers, and citizens alike, the blackout is a cautionary tale: in a world that relies on constant electricity, infrastructure is not just technical — it is social, political, and deeply vulnerable. Berlin’s days in the dark may be over, but the questions it raises about protest, responsibility, and urban resilience are far from resolved.
By Muhammad Hassan4 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (4)
Let’s just call it what it is: racist. One more item in a long list of cruelty and white washing everything; another item to get people to look at it and not see behind-the-scenes-horror they plan.
This administration is divisive and cruel. I like the idea of helping others to learn English and keeping them informed. All the posters near me are in Spanish and English - I’m grateful people are looking out for others. This was another great article Iris.
I agree with you. Not everyone can learn English. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t accept them. We need to get rid of the current evil administration. Good work.
The United States has never had an official language and despite donald trump’s executive order the U.S. still does not officially have an official language. In order to do that the U.S. Constitution would have to be amended. That would take 2/3rds of the house to vote for such an amendment. Then 2/3rds of the Senate would have to vote for it. Finally, 3/4 of the states would have to ratify the amendment (that would be 38states). At this point neither the house, senate, or states have enough votes to make such an amendment happen. trump’s executive order is nothing more than a ceremonial order that will be rescinded in four years - it’s just all smoke and mirrors designed to distract us from the big rip off he and Elon musk are currently executing.