Teacher beats up student for speaking out against Laden

September 15, 2001 10:41 AM

Teacher beats up student for speaking out against Laden /bin/laden/ has followers everywhere, it seems. wonder when the world will accept the right to free speech. [link via TimepassTown]
posted by arnab (21 comments total)

I suspect we won't hear too much about this in the press here -- they're too busy worrying about "hysterical" Americans who might look at somebody wearing a turban the wrong way.
posted by justkurt at 10:50 AM on September 15, 2001

I suspect we won't hear much about this in the press here because an unsubstantiated report about some 5th grade teacher in West Bengal is mostly irrelevant to Americans, Kurt.

I don't think the press is "too busy" nor are most of them really worrying about individuals being unjustly scapegoated. It's a real danger to real Americans, and it's caused by exactly the same 'group blame' mentality that the perpetrators of WTC justify their actions with.
posted by brantstrand at 11:21 AM on September 15, 2001

the press will not even identify the country in the article, just the state.
posted by newnameintown at 11:23 AM on September 15, 2001

thank you brantstrand, for responding to this guy with a reasoned response. i was about to lose my cool.
posted by jpoulos at 11:33 AM on September 15, 2001

A family member works at a public high school in Texas. In a classroom this week, during discussion of the attacks, an international student from a country in the Middle East stood up, defended the attacks, and said, "We're going to kill you all!" The teacher responded, "Go back to your fucking country."

My relative thought it was a false rumor, but a school administrator sent out a memo reprimanding the teacher for using foul language and advising others not to behave that way.

It's a crazy time.
posted by rcade at 11:51 AM on September 15, 2001

"I suspect we won't hear too much about this in the press here -- they're too busy worrying about "hysterical" Americans who might look at somebody wearing a turban the wrong way."

I have yet to see anyone wearing a turban here, but knowing this community (West Tulsa), I wouldn't put it past them.
posted by Katy Action at 12:06 PM on September 15, 2001

ah, reminding adults who are responsible for all our schoolchildren to be reasonable? i think that administrator did a good job.

hell, maybe we could even use a little of that advice around here.

fisfhcuerk.
posted by fishfucker at 12:07 PM on September 15, 2001

Here in San Antonio, a comparatively minor incident occurred. A Persian-food restaurant had all front windows (value $1500 each) destroyed overnight. The criminal then called the police and said that it was "payback."

Local radio (next day) took up the cause, and urged all residents to visit the restaurant. The owner, an American, was distraught but said that she somewhat expected it. The on-air personality promised to head there right after his shift, and bring all of his friends. I believe they also started a donation-fund to defray the costs of replacing the windows. The reaction from all callers was overwhelmingly positive; all offered support and promised to visit the restaurant to enjoy a meal soon.

Business is now booming at this restaurant. :-)
posted by davidmsc at 12:09 PM on September 15, 2001

and two minutes later i realize this was probably the point you were making, rcade. oops.
posted by fishfucker at 12:10 PM on September 15, 2001

Interesting that it is okay to threaten an entire nation in a classroom, but not to threaten a school bully who has been kicking your ass all semester.
posted by rushmc at 12:43 PM on September 15, 2001

Interesting that it is okay to threaten an entire nation in a classroom ...

Don't jump to that conclusion yet -- I don't know what's happening to the kid. My guess is that he will be kept out of that school for his own safety.
posted by rcade at 12:58 PM on September 15, 2001

I suspect we won't hear too much about this in the press here -- they're too busy worrying about "hysterical" Americans who might look at somebody wearing a turban the wrong way."

Remember this, folks...if you're going to wear that turban in public, make sure it's on the right way!
posted by Hildegarde at 1:31 PM on September 15, 2001

My guess is that he will be kept out of that school for his own safety.

Maybe the teacher should be as well...
posted by fooljay at 1:52 PM on September 15, 2001

What is the right way to wear a turban?
posted by DBAPaul at 3:19 PM on September 15, 2001

On your head should do the trick.
posted by dabitch at 3:51 PM on September 15, 2001

For the record, turbans must be wrapped clockwise in the northern hemisphere, but counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere.
posted by kindall at 4:13 PM on September 15, 2001

Or what?
posted by rushmc at 4:25 PM on September 15, 2001

I've heard that when a turban is wrapped in an incorrect fashion, one's head may be unscrewed. This is from cnn, I don't have an internet source.
posted by kidsplate at 4:43 PM on September 15, 2001

And this wouldn't have happened in the US? If I stood up in a classroom and preached that the attacks were merely a result of 'reap what you sow' I think I might get beaten up later as well, if not by the teacher.
posted by wackybrit at 4:53 PM on September 15, 2001

if not by the teacher

That's kind of the point.
posted by jpoulos at 5:33 PM on September 15, 2001

#@%!/looser/bin/laden
posted by me myself and i at 6:24 PM on September 15, 2001