New York Teen Tormented Because His Name Is Osama

Source: CBS

The family of a Staten Island teen who says he was constantly harassed in school by his teachers because his name is "Osama" is suing the school system after they say school officials did nothing to prevent the harassment reports CBS station WCBS-TV in New York.

His name is - or was - Osama Al-Najjar. Ever since his suicide attempt, he's called himself "Sam." His story begins two years ago at Tottenville High School.

<snip>

His parents say they held countless meetings with school officials who apparently did nothing to stop the ostracism. Osama says the students at his school did not participate in the tormenting. In fact, he says they often sympathized with him over the treatment he was receiving from his teachers.

"The students were more understanding than the teachers. The teachers are the ones who called him names - bin Laden, terrorist. One of the teachers told him not to bother to come to class because no matter what he did he's not gonna pass,'" says Osama's mother, Suad Abuhasna.


Read more: http://cbs2.com/national/topstories_story_163090751.html

individually targeted in the lawsuit, wouldn't the taxpayers be liable for the damages?

you even get this with children named Jesus (mostly Latino/a American). Somehow the masses can't deal with it.

and then reassigned. We expect kids to be little savages to each other, but when adults join the bullying it becomes completely unacceptable.

These teachers need some serious discipline.

My best wishes to Osama/Sam. I hope he knows it's THEM, not him.

And shame on THEM.

I'm a teacher. I don't want them filthying up my profession!

but the TEACHERS doing it?? In-fucking-credible. At least the students were supportive.

I must have skimmed over the word teachers at first but later I had to re-read it. I thought for sure it must be the students but if it was the teachers, the administration knew and did not stop it? amazing! These people definitely have a case, especially if the other students will stand up for him. It's a good thing that he didn't kill himself because it would have definitely been because of them. I just want to cry for him.

and succored by their prejudices

The saddest thing is, it's DEMOCRATS harassing him.




If it were Republicans, they'd just say, "Who's Osama?"


P.S. The "DU spellchecker" ALSO said, "Who's Osama!" LOL!

of his tormenters, oh Wise One???

Go look again.

I do wish the teachers would get suspended without pay and the school sued to the max.

They go by "Sam". They won't tell you they are from Iraq until you get to know them pretty well.

How sad that teachers joined in on this. Even if they were saying things like this tounge-in-cheek it's still unacceptable, and I'm a pretty accepting guy.

No one in the US is likely ever to be given that name again. Sort of like Hitler. I just checked the E-mail server for several branches of the Department of Justice (who I work for) and there is not one Hitler in MS-Outlook.

Try doing a search for the first name "Adolf" in the same database. I'd be much more surprised if you didn't find at least one.

The part that is functionally relevant is the name that is most connected to the person in question. This is, of course, assuming that the first name - last name distinction is important.

x(

It's the right wing of Staten Island.

Let them fight if they feel so strongly about it.

I used to play in a band with a guy named Tim McVeigh. Yeah, he caught a whole world of shit back in '95. This kid just had the crappy luck to have the same first name as the most (deservedly) hated man in the world.

And they need to be sued for everything. Everything.

because they don't work there anymore. And given the nonresponse to this by the school administration, they should be told the same thing. But now it's gone to a law suit, so I hope the school has to pay millions.

Hope he wins.

:cry: That kid must have it tough :(

:(

At first I was assuming it was the kids, but then I read it was the teachers and I was like "wtf?" Assuming this is true(and I don't see any reason to assume it isn't), these so-called teachers need to be fired, and the school district should pay out.

n/t

I'm pretty sure OBL isn't the first person to take that first name.

does this qualify as "dark sarcasm in the classroom"?
leave them kids alone, indeed.

They drove the poor guy to suicide.

Those teachers should be sued.

Phone: 718-356-2220

Feedback page: http://schools.nyc.gov/OurSchools/Region7/R455/ContactUs/EmailForm.htm

Mailing address:
Tottenville High School
100 Luten Ave
Staten Island, NY 10312

During WWI and WWII, "patriots" went around kicking Dachsunds for being "German" dogs. (Notice that these brave fellows didn't try to kick German Shepherds.) If Americans can blame a breed of cute little dogs for having a German name, they will certainly blame a boy for having a disfavored name.

This is a country where prejudice and stupidity led people to be offended by French fries and French toast, because France didn't go along with every dumb decision we made. During the two world wars, sauerkraut was renamed "Freedom Cabbage," so this sort of nonsense isn't even new in this country.

... what the fucking hell is wrong with these idiots! How dare they be left in the classrooms to torture this poor kid! They should be sued for everything they've got. And I hope to God their teacher's union doesn't back them on this. Mine sure as hell wouldn't- and rightfully so!

Oh, this just burns me up! :grr:



EDITED: I was so mad, I couldn't even spell correctly.