Let's return to the original questionThe classroom discussion started with the question: Why do students need to learn Spanish?
When I went to school Foreign Language was an elective, it was not forced on you, except for certain majors. Even then you could choose from a number of languages other than just Spainish.
So what is the answer to the original question: Why do students need to learn Spanish? To me it is not racist to not learn Spainish or any other foreign language.
If the school requires a freign language, they need to offer more than just one language, maybe French, Arabic, German, Chinese, Greek, Polish, or any of many other Languages.