Gene Simmons: Learn English to Succeed in the USA

In an interview with HuffPostLive, KISS frontman Gene Simmons talked about why he believes it is so important for immigrants to learn English. He does not believe that they can fully succeed in America without being able to speak good English. You can watch the watch the entire video on the HuffPost.

Simmons feels that he is well-qualified to speak on the topic as someone who did not know any English when he came to the USA as 8-year-old Chaim Witz with his mother. He strongly feels that learning English and assimilating into American culture enabled him to be all that he could be.

Simmons told host Ricky Camilleri that “the politically-correct climate is bullshit.” He thinks that immigrants need to be told “Learn to speak goddamn English.” Camilleri tried to make Simmons see why some people would be offended by the phrase he chooses to use. We assumed he put it that way because he wants to make sure everybody knows that he thinks being politically-correct is being soft. Camilleri said it implies a lot of negative things and also felt that Simmons was being provocative when the rocker mentioned that saying “wassup” doesn’t cut it in the boardroom either unless you’re a hip hop mogul. But Simmons claimed his message was simply that learning English will “unlock the keys to the kingdom”, noting that “if Siri can’t understand you, you’re in trouble.”

Of course, Simmons’ point that improper English can be a hindrance in the corporate world applies to native speakers as well as immigrants. But, as the saying goes, money talks and buys translators, too.

It can also work the other way around where not knowing hip hop can have some strange results. Take Jay-Z’s “Magna Carta Holy Grail” album. According to the New Rebel, the title is symbolic:

“The use of the words Magna Carta were curious to me at first as there is no mention of the centuries old document anywhere on the album, then it hit me: Magna Carta is simply a new nickname Jay-Z (aka Sean Carter, aka HOVA, aka Hovito, aka Young Vito, aka Jigga) has given himself. ‘Magna’ meaning ‘great’ and ‘Carta’ being a play on his last name ‘Carter’. ‘Holy Grail’ is a symbol for Beyonce, the grail being a feminine symbol, but also something sought after and nearly unattainable, much like Beyonce herself, hence Magna Carta Holy Grail is the joining of male to female, like the Star of David.”

Nonetheless, the title got the album displayed next to the Magna Carta in Salisbury Cathedral.