One summer I decided to take summer school so I could get a little ahead before high school started. Our class was separated into semester one and two and we had a separate teacher for each. My first teacher was very kind and open to all of us about everything. My second teacher was more reserved and had an unusual sense of humor. It was time for the second class and I got there a little early because it was the first day. There were other students there as well and we all took seats where we wanted. The teacher was also in the room and he decided to go over the roster before class started so he could get to know us a little better. As he was going down the roster I knew when he got to my name he would struggle just a tad. So I patiently waited for him to get down the list and when he got there of course he did pronounce my name incorrectly, but it was pretty often that it happened to me. So with no hesitation I corrected him and he tried a couple of different pronunciations until he finally got it right. Then after he got my name down he asked me where I was from and with pride I replied Pakistan. He was a little taken aback by that and the next thing that came out of his mouth was the most shocking for me: "You're not gonna bomb me are you?" He said it like it was such a joking matter that I was completely outraged by him and didn't know what to do. But instead of blowing up at him I decided to sort of just cover up my anger and laugh it off by saying "Haha of course not." But truly on the inside it really hurt in a way and made me want to stand up and give him a lecture about stereotyping someone you just met and know nothing about.
Joe Janvar
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