This book presents a case study of a Puerto Rican community in an industrial city, exposing conflicts surrounding the education of language and ethnic minority children and the resistance of many "Anglos" toward parents and community as sources of knowledge. Over 9 years, data were collected from bilingual families living in Steel Town, Pennsylvania, regarding their educational experiences. In 1993, the local school board decided to eliminate its 20-year-old bilingual education program. Local bilingual families organized to speak out on the issue. The political struggle that ensued led to asymmetrical power relations. The voices of the bilingual community were disregarded by decision makers. Seven chapters include: (1) "Overview;" (2) "The Community: 'Swallowing Hard';" (3)"Success Stories: 'Our Language is at the Heart of Our Culture'; "(4) "Early Schooling: 'En Esta Escuela No Se Habla Espanol';" (5) "Agueybana Families: 'Sit Down and Shut Up';" (6) "Media Accounts: The 'Blue E';" and (7) "Restoring the American Dream: A Light Shines in Steel Town." Four appendixes offer bilingual program recommendations submitted by the Bilingual Committee; the superintendent's response to the Bilingual Committee; report from the English Acquisition Committee; and sample interview questions. (Contains approximately 160 references.) (SM)