Spanish is part of N.M. cultural capital

By Margaret Montoya, Albuquerque Journal

On January 6, 1912, President Howard Taft signed the Statehood Proclamation with these words, “The Mexican Americans of New Mexico succeeded in protecting their heritage by inserting provisions in their constitution which made Spanish an official language, equal to the English language.” President Taft’s conclusion is a blunt rebuttal to reports that Spanish is not “enshrined” as an official New Mexico language.

On Sunday, June 9, 2013, the ABQ Journal published an article, which purported to clarify the status of Spanish under the state constitution, other laws, and regulations. Unfortunately, the article further confused the issue by selectively citing the 1972 report of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, “Language Rights and New Mexico Statehood.”

Click HERE to read the full story.