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Linguistic access is a relatively new concept in South Carolina. In recent years, most state agencies, hospitals, and non-profit organizations have implemented linguistic access policies, which ensure that services are provided in a language that their clients or patients can understand.  However, some members of the judicial system have not upheld the rights of non-English speaking persons.

Bilingual interpretation is a right protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal mandate which states that any federally funded program shall not discriminate on the basis of national origin. Therefore, linguistic access is required for any recipient of federal funds.  In addition, due process of the law states that all defendants should have a right to be present (meaning a defendant has a right to hear proceedings in language he/she understands). 

Several clerks of court across the state are unaware that attorneys and paralegals make requests for court interpreters through the court.  The clerks tell me, "Lawyers usually bring their own interpreters to court."  This practice actually works against justice and ethical responsibility.  Court interpreters must be neutral third parties.  If a lawyer pays an interpreter to interpret for his/her client, that interpreter is not neutral.  For this reason, the clerk of court in each county has the duty to appoint court interpreters. 

The South Carolina Court Administration is currently working to improve language access by offering South Carolina Court Interpreter Certification to increase the number of available certified interpreters in several languages.  These efforts have resulted in significant progress. However, judges and clerks of court also need to understand why it is important to provide linguistic access.  They should receive proper training.  Court Administration will soon be offering training to judges on the importance of linguistic access.  It is my hope that this training will help improve linguistic access in the judicial system and furthermore, help improve access to justice for people with limited English proficiency in South Carolina.  

The Ghanian

Lately, I have been thinking about how blessed I am to have so many wonderful people in my life.  Today, I would like to take a few moments to appreciate my friend, Dave.

I met Dave through another close friend, Noshin, sometime in January.  We hit it off right away.  Mostly, we talked about homelessness and society's response to homelessness, particulary in Columbia. We exchanged business cards and we told each other we would keep in touch.  I honestly did not make an effort for a while, and neither did he.  I guess we both had too much going on at the time.  

In March, we had the chance to hang out again.  Noshin got a group together for breakfast one morning.  I was the on the other end of the table and did not have a chance to talk to him much--but afterwards, I wasn't in any hurry, so I hung out with Dave and Leonna, his girlfriend.  We had a great conversation, and we've been friends ever since.

I have had the chance to meet and talk to several people who are homeless because of Dave.  I've also had some exposure to some neat art galleries in Columbia with him and other friends, and had meaningful conversations that changed the way I thought or gave me a different perspective to ponder.  I've also been very silly with Dave, and engaged in some healthy competition with him.  Whether it's going to an art show, listening to jazz, having a beer, trying to find a decent Philly cheesesteak in town, dancing bachata, running through the woods at Harbison State Park, or simply chillin', it's always quality. 

Dave is such a motivating and confident person.  He knows what he wants and he goes after it.  He appreciates beauty and wants to share it with everyone.  He doesn't worry himself with petty things.  He likes mangoes and loves his dog, Milesy.  He is the bearer of optimism at times when everything seems dull or gray.  The word can't is not part of his vocabulary.  His laughter is so infectious you want to laugh with him, even if he's laughing at you!    

It's rare to meet someone as enamoured with life as he.  I am grateful to have a friend that can teach me this way of living.  Thanks, Dave, for everything. 

To my Un-ni

Poo Lum-ahh:

Today you have moved across the country.  I cannot find the words to describe how much I will miss you.  You are truly my un-ni, the big sister I never had.  

We have so many memories; of silly things we have said, of fun times with friends, and lots of food and drink!   You have taught me so much about your culture, your language, social work, and life.  Most of all, you have taught me many things about myself in such a beautiful way.  You are as gentle as a summer breeze; always warm and soothing.  Even when you offer constructive criticism, it never seems like criticism.  You possess the amazing gift of expression with kindness.

This past year, despite our busy schedules and a 3-hour commute, we visited each other frequently.  Now, it will be much more difficult.  Just remember that distance is not always measured in miles.  We will never be apart in friendship and love. I am excited about what new endeavors await you in your new home, but don't forget that you've got several homes on the east coast.  

 I love you!

What's your idea of being patriotic? Do you consider yourself patriotic?

Many people claim to be patriotic, celebrating Independence Day and placing their left hand over their heart as they sing the National Anthem or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Yet, some of those very same people never do an ounce of community service, never attend their kid's PTA meeting, and don't have a clue who lives next door to them. 

If patriotism is about loving the nation you live in, then I am patriotic. However, I don't love this country because it has the most power. Let me count the reasons and the ways.  I want to preserve this country's natural beauty, so I reuse, recycle, and minimize my waste.  I want all children in the U.S. to have equal access to a quality education so that our nation may continue to have a stable economy. Therefore, I tutor children in a local elementary school.  I want to make sure that hard-working Americans continue to have jobs, so I avoid shopping in places that I know have sweatshops and are outsourcing to underdeveloped countries, paying workers a less-than-livable wage for long, grueling hours of hard labor.  I believe in the design of a true democracy; therefore, I vote and encourage others to vote.  Civic engagement; that is the true definition of patriotism.  

In today's rhetoric, patriotism is synonymous with a breed of nationalism that is an "excessive favoritism towards one's own country." This is generally what patriotism looks like in the United States.  A friend of mine once described patriotism as nothing more than declaring, "This country is great because I was born in it!"  I do not want to associate with this kind of patriotism.  True patriotism should begin at the local level.  If all people residing in the U.S. would help to improve the lives of others in their own communities, that community patriotism would transcend to the entire nation.  To love where you live, that is patriotism.  To compete for power with other nations, that is nationalism.  Countries should not be cockfighting; they should be working together to make each other great.  Some may call me idealistic, but I don't have a problem with that.

I just answered this Featured Question, you can answer it too!

Yesterday was a pretty interesting day.  Most weeks I  go to USC's campus for lunch in the middle of the week to eat with international students at His House, a Christian ministry that welcomes international students with warm hospitality and a hot plate of food!  And the best part: it's free.  As I'm no longer a student, and I don't really qualify as an international,  I shouldn't really belong there, but I actually feel right at home.  No one seems to mind that I graduated in May of last year, nor that I'm a U.S. citizen by birth.  They welcome everyone that wants to come; there are no gimmicks and no catch.  You don't have to profess your faith to engage in fellowship with these people. :) 

After I got my food I looked around to see if I knew anyone, but instead I had the good fortune of meeting a fantastic person. Two women were sitting on the patio at a table and said hello to me.  As I approached them they asked if I would like to have a seat.  I sat next to one of them and she read my name.  "Giova-nna," she said in an Italian accent.  

"Correct."      

"A good Italian name."

"Yes, but I am not."

" I know, but you could pass for Italian." 

We both laughed.  We spoke literally non-stop, all but ignoring the other students who grabbed seats at our table.  She knows practically everything about me now!  Eventually, we realized we were hogging the conversation and Manuela finally asked another student next to us, "Hi. What is your name and what do you do?" Here comes the interesting part.

"I'm a business student here at USC [...]"

"Oh, that's nice. What would you like to do with your business degree?"

"Well, If I could choose, I'd like to do some consulting for a firm here in Columbia, but it's not up to me. I don't know what He has planned for me."

Knowing what I was about to get into,  I asked him, " But why can't you choose?"  As uncomfortable as it was, I had to ask. I was curious about his theological perspective, realizing that it was one that I personally struggle with and felt the need to challenge. "Because it's up to Him (points to the ceiling). It's about what He wants, not what I want. What I want may not be the best for me."

I started to say something, but I decided to leave it alone.  I didn't have time to get into a religious debate, nor did I think it would be conducive to the social setting we were in.  He was a complete stranger to me just minutes before, and I did not think it appropriate.  I could sense that Manuela was a bit uncomfortable as well.  Moreover, I was out of time and I had to go back to the office. I turned toward her to say goodbye and I received a pleasantly, unexpected warm hug from her and we each expressed our hope that we would see each other again soon. 

As unrealistic as it seems, I felt Manuela and I shared the same spirit. In our 45 minute conversation I learned that we both love languages and cultures, both love to travel, both want to write, and so much else!  I felt that we were the same person born a few years apart. 

As for the student, whose name I can't remember, I pondered that ideology quite a bit after I left there.  I think that Elizabeth Gilbert had a much more substantial impact on me than I ever would have imagined with the her book, Eat Pray, Love.  I do not think that one's dreams and hopes are things that God does not want you to acheive.  I think that God gives people dreams for a reason.  I believe in God's omnipotence and awesome power. However, I do believe he gave us free will and the ability to choose the life that we want, and that in choosing that life that we dream about we are fulfilling God's will in a sense.  Not everybody has lifestyles or dreams that are pleasing to God, but I think deep down,  most human beings want good things for their lives.  Anyway, to paraphrase a dear friend, I'm just thinking in pixels.  :)