Comments on: NYC Sued On Behalf Of Teen Named Osama

Parents Claim Constant Harassment By Teachers Led To Suicide Attempt

[likeitis5050]

Osama's mother, Suad Abuhasna, told Kirtzman. "One of the teachers told him not to bother to come to class because no matter what he did he's not gonna pass'"

I don't believe it. I mean I don't believe he was told that by a teacher. Unless she was standing right there and heard it, it's just hear-say. I believe he caught a lot of flack over the name...but kids do that. They love to find out what ticks you off about your name and then torment you with it until you finally either get away or grow up and stop reacting.

I am not going to get wound up over a story about what someone says someone said and what someone says someone did....when the truth may actually be the kid had other issues going on besides hating being teased about his name. Too much missing information here. Too easy to just jump on board without knowing everything the lawyers know and aren't going to tell for fear it would level the playing field.

[justfacts2]

Has anyone ever heard of teasing? He wasn't harrassed! My maiden name is an odd one, and I was teased by it. I wasn't scarred for life. He should have a middle name that he could go by. If he didn't like being teased for his first name, then he should have went by his middle name. He should expect teasing with a name like that. It would be the same way if his first name was Hitler, Saddam, or some other infamous name. Imagine if his first name was Nixon? I know plenty of people who go by their middle name because they know they will be teased by their first name. As with everything in life, this is also a choice. If you choose to continue to go by your first name, then you have to expect the consequences so shut up about it!

[jennmarie620]

I'm not saying this boy doesn't have to deal with the stupidity of some people - but he shouldn't have to deal with it from his TEACHERS. Yes, there will always be people in this country and around the world who hear his first name and look up at him - but that doesn't give ANYONE the right to do what these teachers have done. And NO ONE should have to just "deal" with it.

As for those who say he should change his name, that's his name. Our names are part of our identities - his name is a part of who he is.

[infidel_us]

EVERYONE has a right to be named whatever they want to be named.
Posted by jennmarie620 at 03:41 PM : Jun 12, 2007

By God, she's right! From now on, my Delta Tau Lamda name will be, JuJu Fancypants! :)

[roesch21]

EVERYONE has a right to be named whatever they want to be named.

Posted by jennmarie620 at 03:41 PM : Jun 12, 2007

I would have to agree with you...but in keeping that name he is accepting the ridicule that comes with it. I know when his parents gave him that name they couldn't have known what was to come, but it happened now and the "Osama" name will forever be connected to 9/11. If you can't deal with the real world and people speaking their minds, move to Canada...I hear they wear dresses and have tea-parties all the time there, eh?

...and Blondmadison do us all a favor and ****!!! This isn't Oprah or Geraldo. Find something real in life to pursue.

[sverre5-2009]

The actions of the faculty of the school are dispicable. How can you taunt and blame someone for a name he was given sixteen years ago? I think it sad that our nation has stooped to a level so low as to judge someone by their name. Being bitter about the attacks on September 11th is no excuse to perform or condone these kinds of actions.

[sverre5-2009]

The actions of the faculty of the school are dispicable. How can you taunt and blame someone for a name he was given sixteen years ago? I think it sad that our nation has stooped to a level so low as to judge someone by their name. Being bitter about the attacks on September 11th is no excuse to perform or condone these kinds of actions.

[apdepetris]

First of all, don't blame this kid for his name. He was born long before 9/11.

Secondly, this kid shouldn't have to change his name. But, I think if he's going to keep it, he's going to have to deal with negative comments probably for the rest of his life. That's the bottom line. There are a lot of stupid and rude people out there so it's either change your name or ignore the a$$holes that are going to think it is funny to make fun of you.

As far as suing the school, if they reported the problem to the administration and the teachers weren't reprimanded and nothing was done to stop the behavior, then I say go for it. It's one thing for kids to be picking on other kids and it's quite another when it's the teachers. They are the adults and are supposed to be setting a good example for these kids. This kid shouldn't be forced to go to another school just because he ended up getting stuck with a lousy name.

[jennmarie620]

Violator0722 -

I'm so sorry for your parents.

-----

To everyone out there saying this kid should change his name and his parents have no right to take action for the abuse their child received at the hands of TEACHERS - where in the h3ll did you come from?! This boy was named 16 years ago when he was born - 10 entire years before 9/11 happened! EVERYONE has a right to be named whatever they want to be named.

This boy did nothing to deserve being abused by his teachers - and that's EXACTLY what happened to him. He was ABUSED!

It's situations like these that cause situations like Columbine and Virginia Tech.

All of those teachers should be thankful that he turned his depression and anger inward, on himself rather than take the road others have taken and retaliated against those who abused them in the school.

[zoltaric]

Idiot should change his name.

[roesch21]

Stop finding ways around their racism--and call a spade a spade.

Posted by BlondMadison at 01:21 PM : Jun 12, 2007

Oh God!!! I knew it was only a matter of time until someone tried to blame this on race too and not only his name. Just answer me this and I'll stop here...Is it easier to change one's name, or grab a broken CD and slash at one's wrist in a suicide attempt? Get your priorties in line and if it bothers you that much, use your head and fix the problem in a sane manner.

[violator0722]

**We are still bitter about 9/11**

Are you kidding me, I lost both my parents in 9/11 and your gonna talk to me about bitter. PLEASE. Thats ignorance at its finest. If I met this kid and he told me that his name was Osama I'm not gonna go crazy and kill him. Because thats not gonna bring my parents back and he doesnt look like a 75 year old man on dialysis. Your just pulling stuff out of your @$$ so you can justify the stupidity of these so called teachers. YOu want these "teachers" educating children, no wonder our country is becoming the laughing stock of the educational system in this World. We have parents supporting this kind of ***. They should all lose there jobs and never be allowed to teach anything except "Do you want fries with that"

[mmpac]

It could have been worse...he could have been named "George"

[mmpac]

It could have been worse...he could have been named "George"

[blondmadison]

cbgb: Right on! I couldn't agree more. Don't come here and name your kid Saddam or Osama and not expect them to catch some guff from people. We're still bitter about 9/11.
Posted by berniepeders at 01:59 PM : Jun 12, 2007

What other excuses do you jerkbags use to justify your nasty personalities? "WE'RE still bitter about 911"?????

Who is it you think you are that you can order someone to change their name--etc---

He was named 16 years ago! Cut the *** with your dumb excuses acting like you are an authority or superior--NOT QUITE. Psych-o-tic maybe, delusions of grandeur maybe but, nice people? No.

No one needs to change their name because an adult won't shut up about it.

Wake your stupid -ssholes up.

[ammermantm]

thgdriver

I don't think anywhere is says he is going to continue to sue every person that pokes fun at him for the rest of his life. I am not entirely sure he should sue the school but he should be able to go to the school of his (or his parents choosing) without the fear of being made fun of by the teachers.

[thgdriver]

Ammermantm I never said I gave everyone a bloody nose. I stated a "few"!

Like I said, no one has to change their name, my last name can be traced back to before the middle ages. Nobody I know has ever changed it. This poor kid has got to change his name or put up with the teasing or tie the courts up with law suits the rest of his life.

[bja8839]

shut the h3ll up both of you when they named him they didnt know 911 was going to happen so thats messed up of you to say that they cant tell what will happen 16 17 years down the line can you no i dont think so how would you feel it it was your kid and 10 years from now something big happens and the person who did it had the same name as your kid and people picked on you for it you would hate it too so shut up

[infidel_us]

OOOHHhhhhhh.......I feel "A Boy Named Sue" parady song in the works!!!! Weird Al, where are ya, buddy?!?!!?!?!?!? :)

Well, my daddy blew himself up when I was 3
and there wasn't much left for ma and me
'cept his old prayer rug and an empty case of C4"

Fill in the rest!!!!! LOL

[allgood34]

Wow this kid sucks. How many times did he "TRY" to kill himself? It can't be that hard to do, people do it all the time.

On a seperate note the teachers should be fired for those remarks. The answer isn't in changing the boys name. Should all Charles be harrassed for Charles Manson's actions or Lee for Lee Harvey Oswald's?

There are a lot of hated criminals out there. We'd end up running out of names very quickly if we all were harrassed for having the same first name as a hated criminal and were forced to change it do to that person having the same first name.