Anti-American sentiments said in school.

Haven't been posting much. Been remodeling the house.

But my son had to endure a teacher who made a scathing anti-American sentiment in an assembly last year and today, the same exact teacher uses the term "crazy Americans" in a lesson.

I'm furious.  My poor child has had to endure so much harassment from these closed minded people in this smallish town I live in.  They are ridiculous.

I've emailed a complaint to the headteacher and said that this man is entitled to his opinions but I don't think legally (and by the rules of no bullying or discrimination) that he is allowed to share those opinions with his class.

Just a little furious.

~BEG

That's terrible. I mean, I can just imagine the uproar if he had said something about "crazy Indians" or "crazy Arabs" instead. But when it's "crazy Americans," somehow it's supposed to be okay.

Ouch!!  I would be upset too!  Is he actually directing the comments at your son?  Or is this just like generalized terms that are being thrown out during history class (such as:  "Those crazy Americans went to the moon and put a flag on it...like they own the moon or something!")?  Not that it is excusable either way, but I remember lots of semi-derogatory comments (similar to the example just given) being made about other countries (and the people in them) during my time in school.  If that is the case, I would personally say something to the teacher along the lines of "I realize you may be used to saying certain things during your lessons but I and my son (if he is) are both Americans and I don't appreciate the comments that are being made.  Please be more mindful of the fact that he is an American and is already picked on by the other kids.  I don't need you encouraging bad behavior when you're supposed to be setting a good example."  Of course, I'm an "in your face" kinda girl so I'm not afraid to tell someone exactly how I feel, especially when it deals with my child.  If you know for a fact that the comments are being purposely directed at your child, I would request a face-to-face meeting with the headmaster as soon as possible (or not even request one but go into the school when you know they are there and demand one right then!) and let them know right away that the behavior is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  Maybe even see if you can get a new teacher for the child (if able).

Ouch!!  I would be upset too!  Is he actually directing the comments at your son?

I'm not sure it really matter in terms of perception, though. I've been in company where anti-semitic comments were made offhand by people who had no clue I was Jewish and it felt like a suckerpunch to the gut. And I was an adult at the time too -- I can't imagine how confusing and hurtful it could feel to a child, especially from someone in position of authority.

That's why I said this:

Not that it is excusable either way

My point was that depending on whether it was directed AT the son or just said in general terms would determine my course of action for how to deal with the situation.  There is no excuse for it regardless because it is hurtful (whether intentionally or not).

Many people unknowlingly say things that are hurtful or because they just weren't thinking about it.  That doesn't make it ok.  But in my eyes, intention has a lot to do with whether I can forgive them as having a lapse in judgement or if they are just a genuinely mean person who is trying to be spiteful.

Thanks all.

I wrote an email after getting the step by step account of what happened. This was a tech class and they were referring to a tool and the "crazy Americans call it..."  Which insinuated that because Americans call it something different, we are wrong as well as crazy.

I wrote direct to the headmaster and copied it to my son's mentor at school. I hope they do something.

~BEG

Thanks all.

I wrote an email after getting the step by step account of what happened. This was a tech class and they were referring to a tool and the "crazy Americans call it..."  Which insinuated that because Americans call it something different, we are wrong as well as crazy.

I wrote direct to the headmaster and copied it to my son's mentor at school. I hope they do something.

~BEG

I doubt that was meant to be derrogatory. I sometimes say to my husband that "you crazy English people say ----- when it should be -----." Or making jokes about how English people drive on the "wrong side" of the road, when really, it's just the other side. However, I do realise that instructors should be more careful about what they say to their class. I'm not sure I would go in with guns blazing on this one, but I would remind them that comments like that could be perceived as insensitive or intolerant. It would be ok to point out that Americans call something by a different name, but to call them "crazy" might be a bit of an overstatement. Still, as TarnLover said, there is a difference between someone being intentionally rude and someone just making a comment that they maybe should have reconsidered before making.

Good luck, BEG. I'm not going to say that there isn't plenty of discrimination at pretty much everyone flying around in this world, but I've noticed over the years that it's more PC to insult Americans.

It was especially bad when I lived in Germany ten years ago: it was like it had gotten to be old hat to roll your eyes at everything America did, and since it was a moral failing of my country I was expected to do penance by listening to their every rant... whether my host family, the school teachers, or my friends, I got to hear all about how we think we're the world's police, our egos are so fat with world domination, we can't name a single other country, etc. The worst of it was when some kid at school (maybe twelve or thirteen years old?) threw a snowball at me and yelled "f***ing American!" In English, no less.

Grr. I just noticed I'm still a little bitter about that.

I doubt that was meant to be derrogatory. I sometimes say to my husband that "you crazy English people say ----- when it should be -----." Or making jokes about how English people drive on the "wrong side" of the road, when really, it's just the other side.

I thought about this, too, but then I realized that that's only funny or cute if you're talking to an English person. It's not quite as endearing if you're addressing a roomful of people who are from the same culture. For instance, my Finnish professor from undergrad would always pretend to talk up Finnish people and make fun of Americans, and it was hilarious. But if we had all been Finnish... it would have just been weird.

I think you did the right thing to raise it with the head teacher. Even if it was meant as a joke it could be taken the wrong way and is not really appropriate classroom talk. Is the teacher aware your son is American (eg does he have an American accent?) If so, it was definitely rude. Schools are supposed to be into inclusiveness these days, not making kids feel uncomfrotable.

I personally would have thought that comment alone was kinda funny, but I don't know what the derogatory comment that was previously made at the assembly was (which probably put a bad taste in your mouth about this specific teacher and how he felt about Americans) and as I said before, if your son is being picked on by other kids for being American, his comment is just adding fuel to the fire.  I'm sure the headteacher will let him know you were offended by the comment and he will watch himself in the future.

Good luck, BEG. I'm not going to say that there isn't plenty of discrimination at pretty much everyone flying around in this world, but I've noticed over the years that it's more PC to insult Americans.

It was especially bad when I lived in Germany ten years ago: it was like it had gotten to be old hat to roll your eyes at everything America did, and since it was a moral failing of my country I was expected to do penance by listening to their every rant... whether my host family, the school teachers, or my friends, I got to hear all about how we think we're the world's police, our egos are so fat with world domination, we can't name a single other country, etc. The worst of it was when some kid at school (maybe twelve or thirteen years old?) threw a snowball at me and yelled "f***ing American!" In English, no less.

Grr. I just noticed I'm still a little bitter about that.

I am studying on a course that has an international focus.  We have students from all over Europe, a few from China and myself from America.  While my teachers/lectures/professors have never said anything blatantly rude about America, they tend to make comments or use examples of the US being bad.  On its own it isn't much but if you add that to the comments I get from the other students I am meeting (not necessarily in my program) it becomes overwhelming. 

Here is one example... a fellow student one day asked me if I am proud of my home country and I said "yes, while we have moments in time and certain actions I am not necessarily proud of, I am proud to be an American."  He asked, "why?"  I mentioned the aid money we give.  He immediately looked up the percent of aid money we give (in comparison to our GDP) and compared it to his home countries.  Luckily I was quick on my feet and answered... "your father may make more money then my father, that doesn't mean I am not proud of Dad."  He got the hint.  These type of conversations are a daily occurrence.   *sigh*

Yes, sadly, these things do happen and these comments are made. But there comes a time where you just need to let the little ones go.  I spent the first few years here very defensive at anything that had a hint of anti-americanism... but you will just live in misery if you do that.  If people say something completely over the top horrible about where i am from, i am the first to stand up for it.. and i don't think there is a place for those sorts of comments in the classroom, especially if they make your child feel uncomfortable. However, by the sounds of it, this teacher probably says these things without realising he's offending. I would be tempted to just have a word with the teacher and make him aware of you feelings and if it continues, then take it further. Best of luck.

It was especially bad when I lived in Germany ten years ago: it was like it had gotten to be old hat to roll your eyes at everything America did, and since it was a moral failing of my country I was expected to do penance by listening to their every rant... The worst of it was when some kid at school (maybe twelve or thirteen years old?) threw a snowball at me and yelled "f***ing American!" In English, no less.

Weird, this was my experience in Germany as well, but it was 30 years ago!! Instead of a snowball though, I got eggs thrown at me . I think I'm still bitter about that too!!

Insensitivity/discrimination like what the OP's son is experiencing is damaging. I hope the school takes action on her complaint, as it needs to be stopped.

What irritates me about this is that teaching is already a profession that is not very highly revered (at least it's not in America) and when you have such unprofessionalism coming from a college educated person that is supposed to be the charge of young minds, it's very disheartening. 

One occurrence could be shrugged off but it sounds like this person has "foot in mouth" disease!  Sorry your child has to endure that.  I would definitely make him/her aware of the comments being very unprofessional.  You would think that in times like these where teachers have to be careful about each and every phrase, every word, connotations behind every word/sentence/statement, that he (the teacher) is very aware of how he is coming across to his students.

The teacher is entitled to his opinions but that should be left outside the classroom.  It sounds like the hm is deliberately steering you away from the real issue, which is that your child is uncomfortable in that environment.  The number one rule of teaching, in my opinion, is that if it does not pertain to the lesson, it does not belong in the classroom.  In other words, keep your "opinions" at home!  What if this same teacher made a comment about race or religion?  How much hot water would he be in then?

I would keep making some noise until this issue is addressed properly.

You know I am on the other side of this coin. My son gets a lot of bashing at his school for having a English mother.