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??? Well, I think maybe around five people, myself included, speak Spanish at my school. We don't have a Spanish teacher. I think the girl freaked the principal out pretty bad. Plus the principal is one of those "Only speak English" sort of people. The girl really was making a HUGE scene, though.
Law & Ethics - 11 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Go before the school board and tell them. It would also help if you had a spanish teacher or another credible person who speaks spanish to back you up.
2 :
I would tell your parents and have them make a fuss with the principal. I would never let my child get accused and in trouble for that. You shouldn't suffer because other people are ignorant. It's totally not fair to you or the exchange student. Tell someone and everyone the truth.
3 :
thats just plain sad, shudent the teacher/principal know that shes an exchange student and cant speak english? try talking to your parents about it and hopefully they can talk to the school about this misunderstanding
4 :
talk to your parents and they can go to the school with you to explain what has happened, the 3 day suspension will be revoked. at worst, a lawyer. but it probably won't go that far.
5 :
Its a bit stupid, why wouldnt anyone listen to you when you were trying to say that negro is black in spanish, but why would the girl think you were talking about her anyway, just because you said negro though? Add: Where theres the ***** its suppose to say negr0 it blocks it out for some reason
6 :
Personally I agree with you...it's not fair and them suspending both of you without taking your side into consideration is completely wrong and unethical of the school. What I think you should do if this whole situation is really uncomfortable for you is to talk to both your parents and Nina's parents about the situation...then once school begins all of you go talk to the principal. You two have rights as students and the school suspending you upon an assumption of racist comments is a pretty big problem that shouldn't be left without resolving. It's true, your classmate might have honestly felt horrible b/c she believed you two were referring to her with racist words...but it all leads to only that, her assumptions and it was completely wrong of your teacher to accuse you of something so serious if he himself didn't know or understand what it was that you two were talking about. Hope it all works out for the best hun. ^_^
7 :
Sounds like a total misunderstanding. You need parents and teachers to back you up. You may still lose out with the suspension, but this can be prevented from happening again. There's no reason for you to be punished for someone else's ignorance. Saying 'cafe' doesn't mean you're thirsty and crave doughnuts, right? That other girl could learn a thing or two and the understanding will hopefully keep her from staying upset with what she 'thought' you were saying about her.
8 :
Get a lawyer and sue. After all it's the American way right? But seriously contact the ACLU or some other drastic measure. Do it all on the grounds that the black girl and or teachers were offended that you were speaking Spanish.
9 :
Gosh that is such a no win situation because I feel sorry for all parties involved .For you and your new friend and for the girl that thought that she was being called names too. I think that your parents and another person that speaks Spanish should have a meeting with the principal and explain the innocence of what was said and then the principal and all three girls involved should sit down and talk.Bring a Spanish/English dictionary if necessary. Good luck to all of you! I do not think however that you should be reprimanded for doing nothing wrong
10 :
This is terrible, but I think that the Spanish language leaves alot to be desired. In the UK we have tried to avoid this. We have had to drop everyday words in our language due to the possibility of offending people and this situation demonstrates why. We can't use words like blackboard any more its a chalkboard we are not allowed golliwogs all in the cause of being Politically Correct. You need to explain tot he school board what happened and explain to the other parties concerned what happened. Point out that your sorry that has caused offense but as you have said it was a clear misunderstanding and your meant no offense, if your guilty of anything it was talking in class, but not racism.
11 :
Please tell them Rev Wright said some terrible things and didn't get into trouble. Also if the teachers were educated on the whys and reasons you were helping this foreign student you should be just fine and they should say I'm sorry to you. Sorry for your bad day. Best to you.
Read more other entries :
