There are a lot of things I don’t understand about this new country.
I don’t understand how their government works. I asked my history teacher if she could explain it to me. “We the people control the government,” she said ushering us out the door as the final bell was sounding. How do “we” all control the government? Are everyone’s opinions similar? Is everybody’s voice heard? Is this why my parents say America is so great? Although, if everyone’s voices are heard, then why are people upset with choices the government makes? It seems like some kids and even teachers at my school disagree with the beliefs of our current president. Didn’t they give him power though? My father commands me not to talk about it. He says that subject would be called “taboo” here. If people are upset why shouldn’t we all discuss the issues? It must be more complicated than I am aware of. I do see the benefits of choosing who makes your decisions, it confuses me, though, because problems like this would never arise back home. The king simply tells us what to do and what not to do, and the citizens listen. It is functional and I have never wanted it any other way.
I can not comprehend the school system. There is a girl in my mathematics class who is always on her cell phone, even while our teacher is presenting. I have always assumed she was extremely committed to an english course, because she was always typing. I was very curious so I asked her,
“Why do you use your phone in mathematics? Are you working on something?” Her initial reaction was a very confused face. My hands started to sweat and I was worried my english was improper. Instead of asking me to repeat myself, she responded with three astonishing words- “No. I”m bored.” Bored?! How could she be bored in a classroom? This is school, this is a mathematics course, I can not possibly think of anything more interesting than that. Doesn’t she want to learn? Isn’t she grateful?
When we got our exams back, I thought I was closer to understanding her point. Her score was perfect, an actual 100%. “Very smart,” I said pointing at her paper, “did you prepare at your home?” I enquired. “No you’re obviously not ‘very smart’. I cheated,” she said now directing my attention to her phone. I did not understand what she meant but I replayed her response over and over in my head until lunch break arrived. During lunch I went to the library and looked up the word “cheated” in the Merriam-Webster's dictionary. I learned something absolutely dumbfounding. Cheated is the past tense of cheat, a verb meaning, “to act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game or examination.” I realized that during our examination she used her phone to get the answers. She did not truly receive a 100%, her phone did! In Morocco this would not happen. That is a fact. People do not do things like this. Why would they? At home we value education and we want to retain all of the information so we can use it on a test. We pay attention in class and we want to get better. I didn't know that when I came here, no one would be excited to be at school. I didn’t know people would use information that was prohibited on tests. I thought students would be honest and would perform well on their exams because they have quality teaches and access to great facilities. I have not been privileged with these things my whole life but I have something most of them don’t- desire. I want to be taught, therefore I will learn so much more.
The one thing I do not think I will ever be able to understand is the way that my peers and even some teachers treat me. Sitting alone in the cafeteria, boys often walk by me and make fun of my hijab. They ask if I have burnt my hair off trying to create bombs. They tell me it looks dumb and stupid. Insulting things are said about my family and my home country. The boys may seem bad, but the girls are worse. Most of them, simply seem too afraid to talk to me. If I try to create conversation they walk away or respond as quickly as they can and move away from me. My parents have told me it will take time for students to get used to someone who has a different culture than them. It does not hurt my feelings as much as it confuses me. I just don’t understand their belief. They view everyone in the Muslim culture as a terrorist. It is not fair. I am so very sorry about the attacks that were brought upon this country by people with my religion. Although, there are terrorist in every culture and I am not here to hurt them in any way. I have moved here with my family and I want to integrate into my school. I wish I was not feared in this way. I wish they could visit my hometown in Morocco. They would realize many Muslims are loving, accepting, and nothing but peaceful.
I don’t understand how their government works. I asked my history teacher if she could explain it to me. “We the people control the government,” she said ushering us out the door as the final bell was sounding. How do “we” all control the government? Are everyone’s opinions similar? Is everybody’s voice heard? Is this why my parents say America is so great? Although, if everyone’s voices are heard, then why are people upset with choices the government makes? It seems like some kids and even teachers at my school disagree with the beliefs of our current president. Didn’t they give him power though? My father commands me not to talk about it. He says that subject would be called “taboo” here. If people are upset why shouldn’t we all discuss the issues? It must be more complicated than I am aware of. I do see the benefits of choosing who makes your decisions, it confuses me, though, because problems like this would never arise back home. The king simply tells us what to do and what not to do, and the citizens listen. It is functional and I have never wanted it any other way.
I can not comprehend the school system. There is a girl in my mathematics class who is always on her cell phone, even while our teacher is presenting. I have always assumed she was extremely committed to an english course, because she was always typing. I was very curious so I asked her,
“Why do you use your phone in mathematics? Are you working on something?” Her initial reaction was a very confused face. My hands started to sweat and I was worried my english was improper. Instead of asking me to repeat myself, she responded with three astonishing words- “No. I”m bored.” Bored?! How could she be bored in a classroom? This is school, this is a mathematics course, I can not possibly think of anything more interesting than that. Doesn’t she want to learn? Isn’t she grateful?
When we got our exams back, I thought I was closer to understanding her point. Her score was perfect, an actual 100%. “Very smart,” I said pointing at her paper, “did you prepare at your home?” I enquired. “No you’re obviously not ‘very smart’. I cheated,” she said now directing my attention to her phone. I did not understand what she meant but I replayed her response over and over in my head until lunch break arrived. During lunch I went to the library and looked up the word “cheated” in the Merriam-Webster's dictionary. I learned something absolutely dumbfounding. Cheated is the past tense of cheat, a verb meaning, “to act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game or examination.” I realized that during our examination she used her phone to get the answers. She did not truly receive a 100%, her phone did! In Morocco this would not happen. That is a fact. People do not do things like this. Why would they? At home we value education and we want to retain all of the information so we can use it on a test. We pay attention in class and we want to get better. I didn't know that when I came here, no one would be excited to be at school. I didn’t know people would use information that was prohibited on tests. I thought students would be honest and would perform well on their exams because they have quality teaches and access to great facilities. I have not been privileged with these things my whole life but I have something most of them don’t- desire. I want to be taught, therefore I will learn so much more.
The one thing I do not think I will ever be able to understand is the way that my peers and even some teachers treat me. Sitting alone in the cafeteria, boys often walk by me and make fun of my hijab. They ask if I have burnt my hair off trying to create bombs. They tell me it looks dumb and stupid. Insulting things are said about my family and my home country. The boys may seem bad, but the girls are worse. Most of them, simply seem too afraid to talk to me. If I try to create conversation they walk away or respond as quickly as they can and move away from me. My parents have told me it will take time for students to get used to someone who has a different culture than them. It does not hurt my feelings as much as it confuses me. I just don’t understand their belief. They view everyone in the Muslim culture as a terrorist. It is not fair. I am so very sorry about the attacks that were brought upon this country by people with my religion. Although, there are terrorist in every culture and I am not here to hurt them in any way. I have moved here with my family and I want to integrate into my school. I wish I was not feared in this way. I wish they could visit my hometown in Morocco. They would realize many Muslims are loving, accepting, and nothing but peaceful.
I wrote this blog from the perspective of a teenage girl who moved from Morocco to the United States and was trying to understand some of the complex portions of our culture. I attempted to inform about the aspects of the culture in Morocco as well. I included some information about the government, which is Constitutional Monarchy. The chief of state in Morocco is King Mohammed VI and he has ruled since 1999. Prime Minister Abbas el Fassi was appointed by the king. The king is involved in all decisions. Later in my writing, I discussed how I believe the students will feel towards learning. After talking to other students who have traveled to Morocco they have told me that the pupils are eager to gain more information. I have experienced this with students I taught two years ago in Cambodia, and again last year in Tanzania. I am very excited to be around people who want to know the things I have the ability to share with them. Finally I included information about the stereotypes some Americans have towards Muslims. I have heard these stereotypes in my school, read about them online, and even seen them in books. I do not believe we give many Muslim individuals an opportunity to show they are not a part of the tiny percentage of Muslims who are extremists. I am excited to visit Morocco and have all of the rumors disproven in front of my eyes.
Fundraising has been going well. I just reached my deadline of $1650, earning the majority of it working at a general store. I plan on continuing my work there to get the rest of my money before the trip. Thinking about this opportunity makes me very excited and I am grateful to share it with you.
