The term “tame”, in and of itself, is heavily associated with animality. Taming of an animal (like a horse, for example) usually involves violence or abuse in some form. It also involves making the animal dependent on the tamer for survival. When we try to apply this concept to humans in the way that Anzaldùa suggests, it becomes clear that there are already societal structures in place that aim to “tame” in this sense. A “wild tongue” and, by extension, a “wild” person is tamed through the systemic oppression and marginalization of all folks deemed “wild”, “inferior”, or “savage.” American schools are enforcing a sort of systemic oppression when they exclusively teach in English and punish students for speaking other languages. They are using their access and authority to attempt to tame the “wild” tongue of the students through systemic. In a more literal sense, Africans who were enslaved during the transatlantic slave trade were immediately labeled “savage” by foreign colonizers. The colonizers then attempted to “tame” and exploit them through all kinds of abuse. This grotesque, deplorable, and truly evil “taming” included whipping and branding practices that were also commonly used to “tame” livestock, in addition to sexual violence and language deprivation.
– Tsion Teffera
I agree with your stance on the fact that “taming” different languages is immoral and unjust. I also like how you connected Gloria’s rhetorical question to a larger historical event, like African slavery, because drawing parallels between different kinds of discrimination is appropriate in this context.