Okay, an Brittish school teacher teaching English in Sudan asks her students to name the class teddy bear. The students chose the name Mohammed. The teacher was subsequently arrested by the Sudanese Government for this and was facing "40 lashes." She was tried and sentenced to 15 days in jail. Now there are people calling for her death over this.
What the heck is that all about? I know it's a clash of culture, but this is ridiculous. Your thoughts?
2007-11-30 01:23:29 · 18 answers · asked by Sr. Mary Holywater 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
I agree, she should have been a bit more careful. The mistake was made. All I am saying is that death seems a bit on the extreme side for naming a teddy bear in error. She is doing 15 days. In comparison, in the US Nicole Ritchie did 45 mins for cocaine posession. I know it is a different culture and they are going according to Sharia Law. I think the 15 days and deportation is fair and to die for a teddy bear is a bit much.
2007-11-30 01:36:41 · update #1
I noticed that after her 15 days, she'll be deported. She should do the 15 standing on her head and get the hell out of the Sudan.
The Sudan is in a different time zone than us: The Middle Ages.
2007-11-30 01:27:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree that it's an extremist reaction, but you'd also hope an educator would be a bit more knowledgeable about the local culture she was working in. Imagine a teacher in the States naming a classroom's houseplant God or a pet hamster Jesus. I doubt most residents would call for death, but it would be an odd thing to do in the first place.
I say they just sentence her to renaming the bear (I suggest "Hitler-Paws") and a public apology, and let the whole thing rest.
2007-11-30 09:27:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
A bit rough...clash of cultures alright. Is Sudan an Islamic state?
2007-11-30 09:27:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well 1st thought is, why would anyone want to teach english in the Sudan. That place has been a mess for awhile now.
2007-11-30 09:27:35 · answer #4 · answered by Rick R , Super Duper Samurai 侍 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How culturally unaware must she have been to not dissuade her students, according to reports the bear was named after one of her students, but it does seem extremely dim to have got in that position in the first place.
2007-11-30 09:30:36 · answer #5 · answered by Tim D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You must be very careful when you are in a foreign country! You must study/reference culture and ways of native culture; when you are a visitor/guest worker, you should respect norms of the country you are in. Ignorance is not necessarily an excuse!
2007-11-30 09:31:51 · answer #6 · answered by remoserjr107 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am amazed that this poor teacher is still alive. We live in very, very unstable times. It is also a direct indication immature human nature and culture still is. We are all condemned to live through these strange times, though are we not human?
2007-11-30 09:32:07 · answer #7 · answered by franky 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is what we are up against. A people that can not see grey; only extreme contrast black and white. It is our national perogative to understand this mindset. We can only hope to come to terms with this conviction of doctrine in order to overcome our problems, regardless of where that may lead us.
2007-11-30 21:27:58 · answer #8 · answered by the buffster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Glad to be in America, even with my crazy neighbors...too bad they couldn't get "lashes"...anywhoo, I am glad she is coming back here...kinda like in that movie Brokedown Palace, other countries are nuts and you wonder what still drives them to act in these ways. Yeah, I know, religion, but if you ask me, it's just dumb...I held back on the profanity. The kids voted on the name, why aren't they in the same cell with her? I am sure they treat their kids like crap there too! Done rambling, somethings just piss me off.
2007-11-30 10:16:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is not ridiculous! she should have told the children that they could not call the teddy mohammed...
Fair enough they are being a little extreme... but she is in their country.
She should not have gone there in the first place!
2007-11-30 09:28:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋