Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Read this and tell me if you think it is fair... My class recently got an exchange student from Spain "Nina"
Read this and tell me if you think it is fair... My class recently got an exchange student from Spain "Nina"
... and she doesn't speak English yet, though she is trying. Because I am one of the few people in the school who can speak Spanish, we have become pretty good friends. Before spring break, we were sitting in Biology class and talking. The teacher was at the other end of the room and couldn't hear us. She started talking about buying a car. She said she wanted a black car with black leather interior. I told her that too many people have black cars and she should get a red one. Heres the problem.... In Spanish the word for black is "Negr0". So we were talking and said the word several times. Out of nowhere a girl who is African American ran up to us and slammed her hand down on the table in front of my face. She screamed at me and Nina and told us to shut up and she started crying. The teacher came over to see and she told him that we were talking about her and saying the "N" word. I told him we weren't and tried to explain but she kept crying and he took her side... to be continued.. .. he took her side and sent us to the principals office. I swear that girl made such a big fuss. Crying and screaming and saying that she had enough problems in her life... blah blah. Meanwhile I was trying to translate what was going on to Nina and the principal told me to be quiet... Like she didn't want me speaking Spanish in front of her. Before we were let go, Nina was crying, I was crying, and we both got In school suspension for 3 days when break is over. I just don't think its fair or right. I wasn't even talking about her. Thats just how you say black in Spanish.. I don't know any other way and I cant make up words or stop saying the name of a color just because it sounds like something it's not. I guess I just want to know how you all feel about this. What would you do???
Other - Society & Culture - 11 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Wow...talk about a miscommunication. I the black girl should learn to know what she is talking about...could she not hear you speaking in spanish...I don't mean to sound insensitive but that is stretching it...I think you need to take some action against the administrators....that is very uncalled for
2 :
Man, everyone knows the Spanish word for black, but of course if she's right in front of you and you're speaking a different language, she may be insecure and think you're talking about her. But I think it sucks from both perspectives. Well that's not fair! You can't get suspended for doing nothing, that isn't your fault that that girl overreacted. She didn't even know what you were saying, dang.
3 :
Sounds like this girl is paranoid? If the teacher doesnt believe you then say you're sorry you were talking in class (which may be the reason she "took sides") but truly you were talking about cars not people! Also if this girl calms down point out neither of you know her and that yes you were really talking about cars not her! Is it possible her name sounds like some Spanish word?
4 :
Ok you have a right to be upset and angry coz it was unfair to just attack you and suspend you if "BLACK" is called "NEGRO" in spanish BUT you seem like your a sweet girl.. i say be the big one and go to the girl who thought you were talking about her and explain it calmly and bring proof from the net or anything to support what your saying .. she was hurt and looks like a sensitive girl .. explain to her calmly and with care :) These things really hurt and uffend teens.. they get scared for life sometimes.. Hope it works out for you
5 :
No offense but your school is way in the wrong they should have checked their facts. How hard is it for them to look it up or ask someone. Did you tell your parents if not you need to let them know what happenned so they can try and straighten it out don't let them punish you for no reason.
6 :
If i was in your case, I would seriously file a class action lawsuit against your school board. This is just nonsense.
7 :
Wow this is truly unfair!! Your school shouldn't have taken actions like this. You need to go speak to an adult, or complain and let people know about what happened. Obviously, the school doesn't understand Spanish that well. You should not have been suspended!! This African American girl needs to understand that you aren't talking about her. Go speak to her calmly and sensibly, she has probably been offended by others before, and that explains her reaction. You need to tell someone, you shouldn't have to face the consequences for something you didn't do at all. This is insane! you can take legal action as well. Good luck..! I hope you get out of this soon.
8 :
I don't think you should have been suspended even if you were using the word in an inappropriate context. But considering that you weren't even doing that, I find this completely ridiculous.
9 :
That is so messed up! Negr0 is the Spanish word for the color black. There is no other word for it. Pero que se puede acer? Nada. Asi son ellos. Todo les ofende.
10 :
I think it totally unfair being punished for speaking spanish to the exchange student & if that's the reason why,not for talking during class then something should be done about that.Have your parents speak to the principal & teacher to know exadtly why the two of you were punished. Re the word 'negro' for black the colored girl probably had those words thrown in her face much too often! Explain to her you weren't being racist or derogatory & hope she accepts that.I don't even like to use the word colored,as we're all colored & I'm white.What's the diff cuz are skins are gifferent tones it's the actions of a person that I care about/
11 :
Wow! This is just about the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. And that principal should have let you translate for Nina so she would know what was going on. I find that some people really don't like it when they don't understand what is being said around them. I know how you feel though. I have been told a couple of times "Why don't you speak English", when I am speaking Spanish to friends or family. It hurts and it is very annoying. Bottom line is if you want to speak Spanish then do it... don't let people like that make you afraid of your language. I seriously suggest you contact a lawyer and fight this.
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