A Multicultural Compromise

In “Aria,” Richard Rodriguez argues that encouragement of the conformity of a single public language leads to a sacrifice of the personal identity for a public identity.  
Through Rodriguez’s personal experiences of his own childhood adaptation he conveys his main argument that schools that force children to speak English steal the child’s identify. American citizens of a different nationality and race shouldn’t have to lose a part of themselves in order to fit into society. By being forced to speak English at home rather than Spanish, the young Rodriguez lost the closeness with his family as well as lost a part of himself. But can this point really be argued? In theory, his family came to this country, so shouldn’t they be expected to learn the native language? The same thing would happen if I moved to Italy, I would be expected to learn Italian. Sure, people are bi lingual and I wouldn’t be completely lost but isn’t it courteous of people to learn whatever language is accepted in whatever country they are in. 
Now I’m not saying I don’t fully agree with Rodriguez’s piece. There is a sacrifices of individuality, but not all situations are like this. Most of the people in my town speak Portuguese and English, and the Portuguese culture is still celebrated. The town and local Portuguese churches hold festivals multiple times a year and there are ethnic shops and other establishments. Sure, Portuguese children go to school and are taught in English, but that doesn’t mean they lose all of their culture. 
I do agree with Rodriguez that it is easier for the upper middle class to learn other languages like French and Spanish. I believe they should have to, ideally that would somewhat change the public’s view of language and create a new bi-lingual atmosphere over time. Today more so than any other time in American history there seems to be more integrating of languages, whether it be automatic telephone operators telling us to press one for Spanish or the multi-language instruction manuals in a box of hair dye. If we were more open minded to experiencing other languages, people who use English as a second language would probably feel more compelled to be apart of society; and maybe even the culture of power would expand too. 
Others feel as though having a set primary language allows immigrants to share a “common core” and expand American culture. Which leads to me to ask, is Rodriquez being selfish here? On the flip side of losing an individual identify for a public one is he being disrespectful not somewhat embracing being American? I’m all for individualism, but why can’t there be a balance? Why can’t we speak English in school but treat Spanish and French as welcomed languages as well? That way we have both cultures, that way no one is left out and feels as though they still have themselves in a public. We all have to make compromises in society as much as I hate to admit it. Its frown upon to run around naked, so we cover ourselves in clothing. But we don’t all wear the same shirt and pants, we find our own style and make ourselves.