Part 3 Prejudices. You too?
Teaching materials on discrimination, racism and anti-Semitism Anne Frank House, OSCE/ODIHR
a mple e r l a nds S Ne th
Meet Ashley, Shinelva, Bilal, Jouke, Kaweh, Genesis, Karima, Eva, and Büsra. They met in the Anne Frank House in the spring of 2006. They did not know each other, but freely discussing prejudices and discrimination was not a problem. They all had something to say about that.
Kaweh: 1 What’s in a name? I often just write KW. I was named after an Iranian freedom fighter Bilal: Bilal was a slave who from long ago. could sing really beau- Jouke:
e tifully. He sang the first I have a French surname
l call to prayer. because my father is French. My first name is typically Friesian,
p but I’m not from Friesland.
a m Karima:
S Karima means “bountiful lady”. I think it’s a
s beautiful name. I was named after a sister who
d died.
Eva: n lr a Büsra: It was going to be Genesis: Büsra means “good Eva or Ada, but My name comes from a news”. I was given my mother got television programme my
e that name when I was her choice. mother used to like watching. six years old. I’m often
h called Bush. That’s
t fine with me. Shinelva:
e My aunt actually chose my name. It was what she wanted to call her own daugh- ter, but I was born first. Otherwise I might
N Ashley: have been called Yaba. That is the African day name for all girls born on a Thursday. I was named after my godmother.
Your name
What are your names and do you know why you have them? Do they tell you anything about your family history? What do you want to be called? My names:
This is what I know about my names. (For example, write down if you were named after someone, and what your names mean.)
This is what I want to be called: Prejudices. Who doesn’t have However, images of groups often them? contain negative or positive Assignment A prejudice is a judgement about judgements or prejudices. You a person or a group of people can’t change them very easily. Or that you have in advance. You’ve do you know that Dutch people already made a judgement even can dance? before you know that person or group. Everyone has prejudices, Does it matter? Try looking at things from a different angle but you are not born with them. Of course, you can think what you You get them because of what you like, but the problem of a preju- hear about groups of people, or dice is that you don’t see someone Do you see the triangle? Is this really a “liar”? what you see, for example, on tel- as a person or an individual, you Is it really there? evision, or because of what your only see him or her as an exam- parents or friends say. ple of a whole group: the skate-
e boarder, the Dutchman, the dumb
l blonde, the farmer, the Goth, the
p Moroccan. This means you miss a lot of aspects of people.
m Can you get rid of prejudices?
a We all have the tendency to see what we want to see at first, or to
S see what we already think. That’s why we don’t realize very quickly
s when we get things wrong. That
1. Groups
d usually only happens when you get to know someone person- Everything you do and everything you experience, where you
n ally. Then the differences turn out come from, and what you want to be all contribute to making not to be so great. But as long as
lr a you unique. The groups you belong to are also important, e.g., you go on emphasizing the differ- whether you’re a man or a woman, a member of a sports club, Eva: “We all put people in ences, nothing will change. a fan of a particular team, etc. boxes.”
e A. Write down four groups that you include yourself in. To understand the world, people
h often divide everything and eve-
t ryone into groups. They do that to be able to learn. For example,
e a child may call everything that flies a “bird”. If he sees a butterfly,
N he will say “bird”, because it flies through the air. He only learns B. Are there any incorrect ideas about you? Are you the difference later on. This is how unjustifiably put into a box? Which one? people learn to distinguish things. First we recognize groups of peo- ple by what they look like or what they do: Danes speak Danish, Africans have dark skin, the Eng- lish drink tea, and the Dutch can’t dance. If you take a closer look, Genesis: “You should always C. Write down why this is or is not a prejudice. you will see that these generaliza- try to see the person behind tions aren’t always right. the prejudice.”
judice? What’s a pre ived judge- is a preconce A prejudice a person or a en t o r o p inion about m ple. group of peo
Mohammed Allach (right) tackling Robin Nelissen.
For no good reason Professional footballer, Mohammed Allach: “It was always painfully clear when trying to find holiday jobs or work experience. I was the last one in my class to get a job. Often I was already rejected on the phone as soon as I said my name.”
Of course, it can happen that an employer doesn’t like you. For example, because you arrive an hour late for your interview. Or because you let your mobile phone go off twice during the interview. But if you don’t get the job because of your name, your gender, the colour of
e your skin, or your background, this is not a good reason.
l This is discrimination. None of these things have any-
2 Discrimination. Just ignore it. p thing to do with what you are capable of.
a m s S Bilal and Büsra have experienced for themselves that prejudices and unfamiliarity can lead to discrimination.
d Just like Ashley, they take into account the fact that people discriminate. They give advice about what you can
n do yourself.
lr a e Ashley: Discrimination is often the “Don’t mess around with the result of prejudice. For example, bouncer”
h some people think that people Bilal: I can’t get into a club just
t with dark skin are less intelligent. like that. I’ll give you an exam- There’s a history behind this. That’s ple. I’m waiting outside a club.
e why you have to prove yourself But the bouncer refuses to let me twice over, because of the colour in. He points at my feet and says:
N of your skin. “You’re not complying with the dress code. I can’t let you in wear- ing trainers.”I know that changing shoes won’t make a difference. The next time I’ll be refused entry for some other reason.
Protest? That’s not so easy. It’s not easy for the other people in the queue either. You really can’t mess with a guy like that. There’s noth- ing you can say to him. You know he’ll think of some excuse, and then sometimes he’ll suddenly let a Moroccan in. Then where is your reason to protest?
Assignments
1. Bilal says that there’s no point in protesting if you’re refused entry to a club. Do you think he’s right? Explain your answer.
What is discri mination?
l e 2. A. Explain why Büsra felt she was discriminated against.
p You discrimin ate if you depr exclude a pers ive or on or a group you do this on an d if
m the grounds of teristics that sh ch arac- ould not play
a a role.
s S B. Would you call what happened to her sister discrimination as well?
n d lr a e “Sometimes you have to do Sometimes you do have to do something” something, when it all gets to be 3. So when can you really call something discrimination? Some-
h Büsra: I can give you so many too much. For example, what hap- times it’s right to make a distinction, and this cannot be called
t examples. Once, a boy in the street pened to my sister. discrimination. In the following situations, think of good and shouted at me: “Hey, Halloween’s bad reasons for making a distinction.
e come and gone, you know!” I She was buying two newspapers, A. You’re standing in a queue to go into a club and you see quickly called back: “So why don’t a Turkish and a Kurdish news- that someone is refused entry.
N you take off your ugly mask?” This paper, but the man at the coun- Good reasons for this: was not in Amsterdam, but in ter refused to serve her. He just another city. I think it’s because ignored her. When she said that there are fewer immigrants there. she wanted to pay, he snapped Really you should just ignore it. at her: “We do more than enough Bad reasons for this (discrimination): You should always think: It’s not for you lot already!” She was per- my problem, it’s his. plexed, and asked more loudly, so that the other people in the shop could also hear whether he would repeat what he’d said. She filed a B. A classmate tells you that she did not get the work expe- complaint with the Anti-discrimi- rience she wanted. nation Office. Good reasons for this:
Bad reasons for this (discrimination):
l e p a m s S n d Combat lr a e Sara: “It’s a shame I couldn’t come to the discussion at the Anne
h Frank House. It was on a Saturday when I can never go because
t I work as a leader for a children’s club. I also go to the syna- gogue with them.
e “I took up martial arts because I was threatened by a boy. It
3 Would you dare? N all started with his statements about Jews. I was at the home- work club and told somebody that I lived near the synagogue. He heard that and said: ‘Hey, isn’t that the Jew church? They should burn it down.’ Because I became angry, he asked, in sur- prise, if I was Jewish.
What do you do when someone is called names or excluded? It’s not always easy to react. Perhaps you wouldn’t dare to do anything. Jouke is not supported by his classmates and opts for another school. At Sara’s school, the teachers introduce measures. Sara also takes steps: she takes up martial arts.
“I said I would report his comment to the head. It made him very nervous and he said he hadn’t meant it like that. But I went anyway. The head took my complaint seriously and sus- pended that boy. But that wasn’t the end of it. The boy was so angry with me that he told a girlfriend to tell me that he’d kill me. I didn’t dare leave the house. I talked about it with my mother. What could I do? I went to combat classes. I have been doing it for a year and a half now and I feel far more confident.”
Assignments
1. Away with taboos! Bilal: “We should get rid of the taboo surrounding gays. It Homophob ia should be talked about a lot, also by teachers. And you should Prejudices and fear ca have the courage to put people straight. Suppose someone in discriminat n lead to th e
e ion of, and your group suddenly starts to be offensive, then you should against, ho violence
l mosexuals. have the courage to say: ‘Don’t be so stupid.’ But you must be confident that they’re your friends, because before you know
p it, someone will say: ‘Are you gay too or something?’” itism A. How do people around you talk about homosexuality? Anti-Sem judice itism is pre
m Anti-Sem f, Jews. r hatred o against, o
S a B. Are you comfortable with this or not? Explain your answer.
d s n C. Do boys talk differently about homosexuality than girls? Explain your answer.
lr a h e 2. Who are you talking to? A. The boy asked Sara if she was Jewish.
t Is her answer relevant?
e Yes, because….
N Leaving school Jouke: I was really bullied at my old school. I was called names for No, because…. being gay. I was beaten up and thrown down the stairs. You can’t imagine how bad it was. Of course B. How would you respond if someone made an extreme I wanted someone to do some- comment about a synagogue, church, or mosque? thing. You want justice, but I was afraid. My friends from primary school dropped me when I went to secondary school. You can tell “You don’t become gay” the teachers there’s something going on, but if you’re on your It’s strange that some people think that you only become gay in ado- 3. What about you? Everyone knows of examples of discrimination or name- own you’re not going to point out lescence. You don’t become gay, calling. What can you do? the culprits. I don’t really know you are gay. Actually, I wouldn’t A. Think back to a time when you witnessed something like if the school could have done just walk across the street with my this. Briefly describe the situation. anything. My tutor talked to the boyfriend. You might think that it’s • This is what happened: …. class, but it didn’t make any dif- enough to ignore it and just walk • This is what I did: .… ference. At my new school, there across the street with your head • I was/was not satisfied about this. are no problems at all. I’m simply held high, but it isn’t. Someone • This is what I could also have done: …. accepted and I get on with every- has to have the courage to sup- one. port you, for example, by stopping B. Choose one situation with the other members of your people calling you names. group. Think of the best solution together. Make a note of it.
Opdrachten You have the right to say what you think, but discrimination is prohibited by law. The freedom of expression and the right not to be discriminated against sometimes conflict.
4 What’s your limit?
l e p Tackling discrimination “Rejected for work experience or What’s your position?
m a job because of your surname? Join in the discussion and write down your own point of view in the
a Sacked from the supermarket empty balloon. Also add your explanation. because you’re too old and there-
S fore too expensive? Do you have friends who are called names
s because they are homosexual?
d These are cases of discrimination, and they should be reported!” This
n is what it says in the folder of the Amsterdam Anti-Discrimination
la Bureau. There are offices like this in many places in the Netherlands. Their addresses can be found at
- www.lvadb.nl. You can go there if Shinelva: “Sometimes you
r you want to report a case of dis- just feel it.” crimination. You can also ask for
e advice there. If the discrimination It’s often not clear whether a
h is clear, you can report the case to particular action is a case of dis- the police, together with someone
t crimination. Or, as Shinelva says: from the office. “Sometimes you just feel it.” This
e means that it is not so much about what someone says or does but Discrimination is a
N about how someone looks at you form of freedom of expression. Therefore, or says something. In that case, it’s you should not get difficult to comment or respond upset by it. appropriately. What one person might find hurtful or discrimi- nating is not a problem at all for someone else. Sometimes it goes too far. For exam- ple, when people deliberately say insulting things about the Prophet Mohammed. This means they are also insulting me, because I am a Muslim.
Posters from the Anti-Discrimination Office in Amsterdam. Rejected. Called names. Spat at. Jeered at.
Assignments
Funny or not? Look at the cartoons. For each one, write down whether you can iden- tify a prejudice and what it is. Write down who would feel insulted by this example.
3. Madonna giving a concert, the Confessions Tour, 2006. 1. Frau Antje has been the adverti- l e p sement for Dutch cheese in Ger- Prejudice? No/Yes, because …. many for forty years. This cartoon dating from 1994 comes from an
m article about the decline of the
a Netherlands. Possibly insulting? No/Yes, for whom….
Prejudice? No/Yes, because ….
s S d When Anne said ‘Coloured’ I
n thought for a moment … eh, well But thank God. yes, you know what I mean.
lr a What would you like to drink, lad? Possibly insulting? No/Yes, for whom….
h e 2. e t N The bicycle
Chaim Berkani asks his father if he’s Moroccan. 4. Who is being made fun of? “Yes, of course. I’m Moroccan, so you’re Moroccan.” Then Chaim asks his mother whether he’s Jewish. “Yes, of course. I’m Jewish, so you’re Jewish.” Then Chaim’s parents ask him why he wants to know. Why do you think that? “Well, I saw a rather nice bike for sale, and I wanted to know whether I should bargain for it, or just nick it.”
Prejudice? No/Yes, because …. 5. A. Who would you never make fun of?
B. Do you think the joke or one of the illustrations Possibly insulting? No/Yes, for whom…. strengthens prejudices? Explain. 10
In the past, scholars tried to divide all people into so-called races. Sometimes they said that the white race was the best. Jews were also considered to be a race. This is completely wrong, because all people together form one race: the human race.
5 Do different races really exist? Racism fiercely opposed to the mixing Racism divides people into groups of races. These ideas were widely
l e by their physical characteristics, held, including by politicians. labelling some groups as inferior The starting point now is that all
p to others. You still hear people people together form one race. use the word “race”, but scientists Obviously we look different, but no longer use it. Ideas about race
m this in itself does not say anything mainly date from the 19th and about your character or your abili-
a 20th centuries, when scientists ties. That depends on other things. tried to classify all people into
S races. Above all, they looked at the Anti-Semitism colour of people’s skin and their
s Anti-Semitism is another word for height. hatred against Jews. It also cov-
d ers all sorts of prejudices, some of which have existed since the Mid-
n dle Ages. At that time, Christians
lr a were in the majority and some- times they were suspicious of Jews because of their beliefs. Jews were often excluded from jobs and per-
e secuted. Measuring skulls
h In the past, pupils at school also had to know the differ- In the 19th century, Jews were also
t ences between races. This viewed as a race. Anti-Semitic peo- This shows children having their skulls meas-
e illustration comes from a ple thought that they were inferior ured on the island of Urk, in the Netherlands textbook dating from 1980. and dangerous. Nowadays, Jews (1910). By measuring skulls, noses, or height, It shows what scientists
N are still a minority but no longer it was thought that it was possible to describe once called the three main discriminated against so much races: the white, yellow, the races precisely. The National Socialist because of their religion. In con- and black races. regime tried to determine the measurements trast with other groups, they are of the ideal race. They believed that the white not socially or economically weak When more became known in Aryan race was superior. as a group. For example, they Europe about other parts of the world, scientists wanted to don’t have fewer opportunities describe and explain the differ- to find good jobs. But one preju- ences between people. But that dice that goes back centuries still wasn’t all. There were scientists exists: the idea that Jews will do who thought that the so-called anything to be rich and powerful, eve that white race was superior. This idea even by tricky means. Uncovering g in s w h e n you beli Racism be col- and challenging this prejudice are use of the was used to justify the submission p le a re in ferior beca r th eir central to combating anti- peo lture, o of other people in the Americas, f th e ir sk in, their cu Semitism. our o se o treat the Asia, and Africa. Many people were en, you als or or origin. Oft th ey are in fe ri th o u g h people as sm is a m . In th a t case, raci e exclude th n. o f d is criminatio form 11
Assignments
A
1. Why do you think scientists used to divide people into races and no longer do so?
2. Focus on racism and anti-Semitism p le B
A. The National Slavery Monument in Amsterdam Is this monument related to racism, anti-Semitism and/or
a m S discrimination?
d s Look at the picture and write a suitable caption.
n lr a h e B. Rotterdam (The Netherlands), 2006.
t D ‘NOS news is a Jewish lie’
e Explain why this is connected to anti-Semitism. C
N C. A meeting of Sharon Stone with Palestinian and Israeli children. What’s on the banner and what does it mean?
D. This postcard from a Dutch school reads: “Black and white have always existed in our country.” Think of a slogan for your school. 3. Find your own illustration about racism, anti-Semitism, and/or discrimination. Write down what it is, if possible where it is, who made it, and why. 12
MaroquiStars Mohammed Allach: “I really hate racist comments by the public or by other teams. You have to learn to accept that you will always have to deal with this, but you should always respond, because if you don’t say anything, this can be taken as approval.”
Mohammed knows that sport can also bring people together. That is why he founded the MaroquiStars Association. The association organizes special sports days. Its slogan is: You don’t always have to win to feel like a winner.
e And he also makes films about Dutch society
l with pupils at school.
p a m S Discrimination, prejudices, and racism. They’re big words. Often there’s nothing you can do about it. But you can make sure there’s a good atmosphere in the class or in your neighbourhood. With your class, you
s can also make a plan to bring people closer together.
6 How would n d you deal with it? lr a h e e t N At first sight, everyone looks very different. But when you get to know each other better, you can always think of similarities. What characteristics do you share with others? Eva, Jouke, and Genesis think the three of them are actually quite friendly. 13
+ Ashley: I’m cheerful and I can stand up for myself. I’m Assignments determined and I’m a good lis- – tener. However, I don’t like to say no to my girlfriends. I like chatting on the phone for hours and I’m not hot on house- work.
1. Positive List three of your own positive qualities.
+ Jouke: I’m honest a – and kind. I’m also b stubborn and very direct. c
2. Do what they do l e p Find three classmates with whom you have the most in com- mon (but not your best friends). Choose one quality together.
m Think how you can express this quality together. Practise your
a presentation. Take turns showing your presentation to the + Kaweh: I’m rest of the class. If it’s not clear, change your expression. Take a
S interested in photograph. people and good
s – at adapting, but I find it difficult 3. What are you going to do?
d to listen and A. Work with your group. Decide together where there could concentrate. be improvements. Put a cross by:
n [ ] Your class
lr a [ ] Your school + Karima: I’m honest and reli- [ ] Your neighbourhood – able and I like to laugh. Less [ ] Anywhere else ……. positive: I’m quite impatient and I say what I think.
e Choose what you want to work on
h [ ] Contact Contact Calling names [ ] Action
t Shinelva, Karima, Bilal, and Gen- Genesis thinks that the way that [ ] Name-calling?
e esis discuss what you can do to you are brought up is important. [ ] Anything else …… bring people closer together. But when you’re at school, peer
N Because that’s necessary, too. groups and classmates are more B. Write down your plan. Write down what the problem is, Shinelva thinks that people should important. You have to stick up for what you want to change, and how you want to do that. forge links with each other. This is each other. Is it OK to call people important because we are all so names? Not really. C. Think of a slogan and make a poster encouraging everyone afraid of the unknown. According to join in your activity. to Bilal, the only solution is for us to live more closely together and D. Present your poster. Choose the best plan with the class go to school together. and carry it out.
Action This group also thinks you should certainly do something about dis- crimination if possible. Karima: “You have to point out the cul- prits and punish them. They have to realize it’s wrong to think like that. You do have to involve the parents. That can really help sometimes. For example, I would be really ashamed if my parents found out that I had bullied others or discriminated against them.” 14
Assignments
Rosa Parks (1913-2005)
1. Your hero These people have fought and are fighting against discrimination and racism and for equal rights without the use of violence.
Complete each description. Do this by adding the name of the Bono (b. 1960) person and the country where he or she comes from.
l e a. Like her father ……………………………………… resists the oppression of the Maya Indians on coffee and sugar
p Guatemala plantations in the mountains of ……………………………
m Rigoberta Menchú (b. 1959) b. In daily life …………………… is the singer of the band U2. This
a pop star from ………………………………has also championed
S human rights and fights against poverty.
c.
s …………………………… was not prepared to sit at the back
d of the bus and sat down in a seat for whites only. This is how
n she started her campaign for equal rights for blacks in the
lr a …………………………………
d. Nawal el Saadawi ……………………………………… wrote the book The Hidden
e Face of Eve. This writer from …………………………… tried to
h oppose violence against women.
e t e. At a very young age ………………………………… from ………………………………… stood up for the rights of
N children with HIV/AIDS.
f. Although ………………………………… has been under house arrest for many years, she has continued to Nawal el Saadawi (b. 1931) campaign peacefully for human rights and democracy in
…………………………………
United States
Nkosi Johnson (1989-2001) Burma (Myanmar)
Ireland
South Africa
Guatemala
Egypt Aung Sang Suu Kyi (b. 1952) 15
Teaching Materials
This booklet is part of a package of teaching materials covering three main themes:
1. The history of Jews in Europe and anti-Semitism until 1945; 2. Contemporary anti-Semitism in Europe today; 3. Prejudices, discrimination, racism, and anti-Semitism.
2. Your song
e The materials have been adapted for use in schools in several
l countries and are available in the official language of each Ali B., Refused.nl partner state. In each case, the materials were prepared by the
p Going clubbing, for him there was no point OSCE/ODIHR and the Anne Frank House in co-operation with That was the reason he hung about outside the joint experts from the countries concerned.
m Chilling with his mates he did his own thing Didn’t go to the disco ’cos he couldn’t get in. OSCE/ODIHR
a The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is a I’m a good boy, I want the best for everyone
S security organization with 56 participating States from Europe, But I still lose out because others mess my fun North America, and Central Asia. Its Office for Democratic
s I ask myself, do I look so bad Institutions and Human Rights supports the implementation But I’ve come to dance, not to fight, I’m not mad, of initiatives in the field of tolerance and non-discrimination,
d But still I get refused though it’s quite unjust Bet that if they knew me then like me they must human rights, and democracy. For more information, please visit www.osce.org/odihr.
Osdorp Posse, Scapegoats
n lr a Anne Frank House You’ve no idea how much you can hurt By throwing dirt, until a spurt The Anne Frank House preserves Anne Frank’s hiding place as a Of suppressed rage will explode and your own acts will implode. museum. It also promotes Anne Frank’s ideals, not only in rela- tion to the times in which she lived, but also in terms of their
e Break through this circle of the scapegoat theory And stop this stupid tyranny, contemporary significance. Educational projects are developed
h You may look self-assured, but to yourself you’re not true to combat present-day forms of anti-Semitism, racism and xen-
t Cause deep in your heart, sadness is you ophobia and to encourage tolerance and respect for others. For But you go along with it, so the bullying goes on more information, please visit www.annefrank.org.
e Much too afraid that you attract attention If you really had some guts, you’d stop all that stuff
N And tell your tormentors that you’ve had enough But if you’re too weak, then with any luck Text: Ineke Mok, Willem-Pieter van Ledden, Karen Polak (Anne Frank House) One day you will come unstuck Thanks to: Mohammed Allach (Stichting MaroquiStars), Ashley, Bilal, Büsra, Eva, Genesis, Jouke, Karima, But if you’re too weak, then with any luck Kaweh, Sara, Shinelva One day you will come unstuck Production: Anne Frank House Translation: Tony Langham & Plym Peters Production: Anne Frank House; Basic Design: Karel Oosting Printed in Poland by Poligrafus Andrzej Adamiak The raps of Ali B. and Osdorp Posse are about discrimination, Illustrations: Fotografie Ingrid van Voorthuijsen (photos of children), Amnesty International, Centre For being refused entry, scapegoats, prejudices, etc. Make up your Creative Arts/University of KwaZulu-Natal, Fotografie Tamara Baart, Getty Images, Hollandse Hoogte, own song, rap, or poem about these subjects. Nick de Kruijk/FCUphoto, Sebastian Krüger, Uitgeverij Malmberg, Reporters/AP, Chris Robinson/Amnesty P.S. If you have difficulty starting, take one of the lines from the International, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (VNT 37:3 1838), Solidaridad, Stichting Meldpunt Discriminatie Amsterdam, Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland, Fleur Talens/Reitdiep College, Osdorp Posse or Ali B. and do something with it. Gerd Waloszeck/SAP Design, Guild Team. We have endeavoured to trace the copyright holders of all the illustrations in this publication. If your photo(s) have not been rightfully acknowledged, please contact the Anne Frank House. If you prefer to draw, you can make a cartoon about one of the above themes. Getting together
Shinelva, Sara, and Büsra meet up for the first time. All three of them like chatting on the Internet, Gillmore Girls, and Will & Grace. All three believe in God, and Amsterdam is their city. A second home? That would be somewhere else.
Sara: This pendant tells you who I am, a Star of Shinelva: The Hague would be a Sara: For me, that was last year, David with the Hebrew letters for “life”. possibility, but Suriname would be when I was fifteen, after I had even better. The Netherlands is my spent some time thinking about it. mother country. Suriname is like Shinelva: I wish I felt so sure about my adopted child. things. I go to church a lot, but I Büsra: My house would be in the don’t want to have my confirma- west of Istanbul. tion until I feel quite sure about my Büsra: I put this sign of peace on my coat myself. Sara: In Jerusalem, without any belief. I think Che Guevara is important, but I don’t feel doubt, even though I do not agree a special admiration for anyone in particular. with everything Israel is doing. It’s fun to get together, isn’t it? I respect anyone who really goes for what he Shinelva, Sara, and Büsra think it believes in. is. In the future, they will meet in Büsra: My head scarf goes with chatrooms. who I am. It is part of me and my Shinelva: This chain was my grandmother’s. She belief. In summer, it can be quite wasn’t rich, but she did leave a personal memento How can you have contact with hot. Then I’d rather let my hair blow for everyone. When you wear it, it becomes people who are different? in the wind, but I don’t do that. significant. For example, visit www.allinn.nu or More than a year ago, I decided to www.dutchkids.nl. really become a Muslim myself. I started to become more aware of the things I was doing.