59 replies to this topic

[sunny]

Has anyone else come across this attitude?


Two weeks ago, I went to my son’s school to have a meeting with his teacher to find out how he was doing in his classes.


Today's Zaman article

[Cukurbagli]

Seems to be a very silly attitude to take.

[cleopatra]

You know on reading that Sunny, it gave a deja vu feeling of a time that the english teacher (in turkish private school) said to my eldest... "oh you are the new yabanci here who doesnt speak turkish, well you better learn it or you wont make any friends"... when he came home and told me this, I was furious and went to see her myself to tell her not to dare speak to my kid like that, what right did she have, and as hes travelled to many countries hes met many wee friends, and they didnt speak any common language...


Actually also in my daughters first day on her first year at ana sinif, the teacher said 'who do we have here then' to my husband and he said my daughters name... now its an arabic name, and the teacher infront of my daughter, and all of us screwed up her face like she was sucking a lemon and said in turkish to us "what kinda name is that?" her facial expression was horrible.. (i was sitting on a wee chair along a bit, but I did get up and go over and in my bad turkish, told her I was the mother, and asked her name.. she said Zehnep, to which I made a face and said what kind of a name is that right back at her... childish I know, but I couldnt help it. I was furious she would do that to my child to her face... She was only 5 yrs old!!


Its a sad attitude to have, and I wonder just how common it is...

[GreenMountainBoy]

I can only imagine what Turks attitude towards me would be.

[sunny]

Generally they are very friendly to foreigners.

[GreenMountainBoy]

But I'm half turk, that probably will make some uncomfortable, at least because I'm not very turkish.

[Cukurbagli]

I doubt anyone will get upset or uncomfortable unless you start being rude to them first.

[samanthaozkara]

I am so shocked about the article and cleopatra's post! I really didnt know that is how some teachers feel. I am devastated actually!!

Cleopatra I would have done the same as you to the teacher and would have said a hell of a lot more.

Greenmountainboy, just out of curiousity, have you ever been mistreated (sorry if thats the wrong word really dont know what to use) because of your dual nationality.

Sam xxx

[GreenMountainBoy]

Greenmountainboy, just out of curiousity, have you ever been mistreated (sorry if thats the wrong word really dont know what to use) because of your dual nationality.

You mean on this site? No, not at all, you guys have been only kind and considerate to me. I appreciate that.

[samanthaozkara]

No not on this site but in general. xxx

[GreenMountainBoy]

Yeah, a few times, even from my family. Apparently my mom was even berated for a long time for marrying a non turk. They've now gotten over it apparently for whatever reason, I guess because Ive gotten older.

[samanthaozkara]

WOW! Im sorry to hear that. My husband had problems from his brothers wife because I wasnt turkish but I think that was pure jealousy. I really didnt think that turks had a problem with dual nationalities. xxx

[GreenMountainBoy]

Actually my family loves my dual nationality, I think they want to use me because of that (my mom isn't a US citizen). They tolerate my mom, but they view her as a whore and other nasty stuff, and so she's trying to get on their good side again.

[Meral]

I am aghast at the attitudes of the school staff in the article, but not too surprised. In schools, children are generally told what to think and what their attitudes must be, they are not encouraged to think for themselves. So the writer's son was non-conformist and seen as stepping out of line (and that's a problem for them). He made the other kids upset -- never mind that he was right !

Is it any wonder that these kids grow up to become politicians and the like -- and sue anyone who upsets them, right or wrong ?

[sunny]

OMG, your poor mother! Families should never be like that no matter what you've done.

[GreenMountainBoy]

Not to make this thread about me, but yeah she used to be a cokehead and such and theyre very judging on it, and now that I disappoint her, its only driven her further into trying to "repent" for her ways.

[sunny]

It can't have been easy for her to get over taking drugs and it can't be easy to keep off them either. I hope that you are giving her support, especially with her family's attitude towards her. You must stand up for her.

[GreenMountainBoy]

I guess I should but she's kind of a royal b to me, especially now since shes just goose stepping with her family the whole way against my wishes.

[Abi]

I was appalled when I read the article Sunny and even more so when I read what Cleo had written. i just hope this sort of attidude isn't rampant in schools.

[sunny]

So do I Abi but I'm afraid they aren't isolated incidents. There are far too many narrow minded people around.

GMB do you think that she could be afraid of the future and what's going to happen to the both of you and that's why she is trying to get back into her family's favour? It can't be easy for her on her own with you to look after can it?