To the editor:

Oct. 16, you published a letter from someone who is concerned about the current discussion in Kansas to make English the official state language. He said the idea was, “simple-minded, narrow-minded and mostly mean-spirited, racist and ignorant.”

I disagree strongly with that opinion. I think it would be wonderful if the entire world spoke the same language. Poor communication is often the reason behind conflict and grievance.

Several decades ago, Dwight Eisenhower introduced a program called People to People International to promote understanding among the nations of the world by groups traveling to meet with their counterparts in other countries. His idea was that if we understood each other better, we’d be more likely to get along and less likely to fight or make war.

It only makes good common sense to have a common language in America. I’m not suggesting that any culture be lost. That need not happen. But it would help this state and this country if we understood what each other said. How can anyone doubt that? That should be a goal of an intelligent society.

It’s costing a fortune to try to address the multilingual residents in the United States. It makes good economic sense for us to have a uniform language. Since probably 95 percent of those living in the United States already speak English, it seems the logical choice as a common language. This is a practical and prudent direction for a diverse but enlightened society to take.

Sarah Peters,

Lawrence