Misplaced Nativism?

I was helping translate at a financial aid workshop today for an organization I was a part of in high school. We were wrapping up a short informal discussion with parents: quelling their fears about sending their high school seniors away to college, reiterating that there is money for them (these are all low-income families), and reassuring them that the organization would be there to support families in the financial aid process.

After the Cantonese alumna and I translated information, a mother said half-jokingly but firmly, "Ok, English now!" Yet Victoria and I had only clumsily translated what had already been said in English, which was much more detailed than our explanations. A few minutes later, another mother angrily shushed a pair of Vietnamese parents whispering about something, possibly financial aid. It strikes me that both were black mothers and there was a sentiment of dislike in their actions. These moments may have passed in the eyes of others, but- as someone concerned about the state of black - Asian political relations-- I wonder, was there dislike or even distrust coming from either of these parents?

It frustrates me that these families share similar backgrounds yet there is push-back against non-English speakers. Is this at all connected to the English-Only movement and the gradual decline of bilingual education? It is tough to appreciate English as an asset in America when one may have few others. Are language rights being used to further divide working class peoples and people of color? It wouldn't surprise me.

Will be back with longer posts soon (November?)