Im being discriminated against- help!
I know this is not the place for it but I'm being discriminated against in school because I'm from a different country. They say stuff like go back to your country, or when I cant pronounce something they say go back to your country and learn English. I don't want to tell my parents because I know that they will talk with my principal and it will make it just worse. I have no friends in school and thinking of going back there makes me feel sick. HELP!
9 Answers
I was in a similar situation, but in the US, in mid-nineties. It sucked. When you are living through that part, it feels like it will drag on forever. But there is life after school (or more school if you continue your education, but it gets better, etc.)
Whenever I felt like things would never get better, I tried very hard to think outside of what 'school' meant (the daily anxiety, loneliness, homework, etc.), in order to put everything in perspective. I thought about what I wanted to do in life, places where I wanted to go, etc.
Knowing that my attendance in that particular school had an "expiration date" helped a little bit. Eventually other things helped - meeting people my age who were in the same situation as me (though we all went to different schools in a large city), and getting good grades despite the language barrier and alienation.
A funny thing happened - whereas before I had worked hard to hide my accent and to perfect my pronunciation, after embracing my identity as a Polish immigrant, I changed course and cherished my accent and mispronunciations. It has a lot to do with constructing your own 'self' and pushing back against pressures from the outside world. Sooner than later, the school bullies became a distant memory and as I controlled more in my life, it got better.
Trzymaj si? - kiedy? na pewno b?dzie lepiej / Hang in there - it will certainly get better!
Hi Aganerd,
Your profile says you are fluent in English and learning Spanish, so I'm a little confused.
But in any case, I'm sorry this is happening to you. People are mean sometimes, especially in school.
Maybe we can help you some way by being a support to you or giving you advice. Tell us, please, where you are and where you are from, and which languages you know or need to know.
You are going to have to hold until you graduate. That kind of attacks are typical of young students and people with a poor (or racist) educational background, and often because they fear you can be smarter (maybe because you speak more than one language). The higher your education, the less attacks you'll get from anyone, and if you get a university degree or something higher, people will respect (or even fear) you. In the meantime, sooner or later you'll make friends, and you are going to have to try to keep a low profile and blend in the best you can. There is no magic recipe for that.
What country are you from anyway?
These kids are bullying you and your principal does need to know what's going on. It's the principal's job to help you with that kind of problem. If you don't feel comfortable talking to him or her, talk to another adult you do feel comfortable with like a teacher or counselor. Kids often don't want to ask an adult for help but lots of us went through the same kind of thing when we were younger. You may think that telling will only make it worse, but keeping quiet definitely isn't going to make it better.
You already have been given some very good answers and advice from some really beautiful people. I just want add that you should not suffer in silence. Do talk about it with someone as soon as possible.
Agnerd
Your English is not bad at all. (Even before Goyo corrected it a bit)
You don't say where you are or where you are from.
The people saying these things to you are beneath contempt.
Don't give them the satisfaction of seeing that they are making you feel bad.
Maybe they are actually jealous because you speak another language and they don't.
Be strong.
Good luck. Ian
I know what it is like first hand/personally to suffer bullying at school. I was also bullied for many years at a single-sex, secondary, boarding-school- (what some people might refer to as High school) so I can feel for you and what you are going through even though I had no clear idea why I was picked-on...perhaps a learning difficulty I had..
These people who have been bullying you have the real problem....it is not you but them who need to change/must change! I know that now but I thought It was my fault/problem back then when I was 9 years old. (Verbal Bullying is a form of abuse bullies can make the person being bullied feel as if it is their own fault they are being picked-on!)
So, as others have rightly said PLEASE don't give them the pleasure or satisfaction of giving in to their demands Just stand your ground and don't give in! If you think you cannot cope with it anymore then now is the time to call for help: Your parents need to know what is happening so that they can support as best they can and so they will understand that you are fearful of going to school. School phobia is very common.
I hope this helps just know that we are supporting you through this as best we can but you also need practical help too.
Tell them 'consequences will never be the same'
If they persist
beat their xxxxx.
Hi,
I am from Ireland and I am sorry people from my country are treating you like this. I do think you need to talk to an adult you trust at school.
However, these small minded people need to see that there is more to the world than just their own little island. I am not making excuses for these people but remember that Ireland has always had people leaving (Emigrating), not immigrating to Ireland. So there have been a lot of changes in the country. If it is possible, ask your bullies about their families. I bet some of them have had family members emigrating to the US, UK or Australia. Ask them how would they feel if they had to go to a new country and leave all their friends behind.
School only lasts for a short part of your life. Life does get better. Are there any activities, sports or groups you can join to meet other people away from school?
Good luck.
