"Your sexual orientation is irrelevant, yet you're still unwelcome. Islam holds dominance in this setting."
Article Rewrite:
Bullied Teacher Exposes Bigotry, Inaction in Berlin School
By Thomas Schmoll
School Teacher Berlin Hate Bullying
Oziel Inácio-Stech, an outspoken gay teacher at a troubled Berlin school, has stepped into the spotlight, revealing months-long torment from his students due to his sexuality. The unsavory ordeal wasn't just about the insults—it was also the indifference of the school administration that left deep scars.
Inácio-Stech, a Brazil-born German resident since 2010, bravely shared his story with "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" about the cold-hearted bullying he endured: an assault driven by homophobia. The Carl-Bolle School, nestled in the diverse district of Moabit, has a high Muslim population and significant numbers of students from Arab communities. Before revealing his truth, Inácio-Stech pondered If he risked his peace of mind by disclosing his sexuality to children whose fathers often complained about the "indecent" behavior of female teachers, or if he should shield himself. He chose the former and soon regretted it.
In the Spotlight "Unsafe for Trans People" LGBTQ+ individuals face a growing threat in the USA
A girl, following through on her threat, exposed Inácio-Stech's sexuality to the entire school, sparking a gauntlet of relentless bullying. The teacher revealed in the Berlin "Tagesspiegel" that he faced derogatory comments, physical threats, and demeaning remarks about his illness and innate sexuality. A fifth-grader even exclaimed, "You're gay, go away from here. Islam is the boss here." An elementary student, forbidden from eating fruits and vegetables provided by the teacher, was told he was "unclean."
When confronting the school administration with his concerns, Inácio-Stech only found more disappointment. A colleague urged him to maintain distance from pupils and cautioned him to exercise restraint. The school director suggested he protect himself from unfounded rumors. The works council noted that the school was frequented by above-average numbers of traditional family children, which might hinder acceptance of diversity.
Spotlighted "Systematic Problem" A concerned citizen, under the headline "My Topic: Gay Teacher, Fanatical Religious Parents," reached out to "Sueddeutsche Zeitung", who deemed the story a plea for help and delved deep into the matter. The article provided a comprehensive picture of the school's chaotic state over the years, quoting from school records. It revealed that a boy had physically threatened Inácio-Stech and made jokes in front of the whole class, and that a girl had voiced a belief that, upon the victory of Islam, Christians would be destroyed.
"Negligence and Dismissal"
The school administration's tepid response literally took the wind out of Inácio-Stech's sails, and he eventually had to take sick leave due to psychological problems stemming from this vile treatment. "I'm living a nightmare," he lamented.
The school scandal stirred outrage among the public, and the Berlin government reacted swiftly. Education spokesman for the SPD faction in the Berlin House of Representatives, Marcel Hopp, largely agreed with the teacher's allegations: If teachers encounter mobbing, they can rightfully expect protection against it. "And that didn't happen here," the Social Democrat lamented. "And I see a larger problem that needs addressing."
Revealed "Uncontrolled Immigration Concealed Problems" Troubling incidents at the school had already been reported to the school authority in 2018, but action wasn't taken amidst accusations that the ruling SPD, Greens, and Left parties were sugarcoating or ignoring school misconduct due to unfettered immigration. Doris Unzeitig, a teacher who resigned from her post at a hotspot school in Schöneberg out of frustration and returned to her native Austria, felt the same way. She had resorted to hiring private security guards to regain control of the situation—an approach taken by the red-green-red coalition.
Governor Remains Vague, School Administration Remains Mute
Katharina Günther-Wünsch, the new senator for education, showed restraint in the face of heavy criticism, stating that she avoided making demands without understanding the entire situation or spreading false facts. However, she refused accusations of negligence and ignoring the problem, as an investigation had found no evidence to support the claims. She also cautioned against stigmatizing the school and making sweeping, harmful claims about the entire community. The school administration refused to comment on the situation, leading the opposition to accuse them of failing to address the matter and the rising tide of queerphobic crimes in schools.
Source: ntv.de
- The community policy should address the increasing threats faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in the education-and-self-development sector, to promote personal-growth and social-media platforms that foster acceptance and discourage bullying.
- To prevent incidents such as the bullying case at the Carl-Bolle School from recurring, employment policies must provide clear guidelines for handling matters related to employment and diversity, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all teachers.
- Given the recent spike in crime-and-justice cases like the one at Carl-Bolle School, it is crucial for our political leaders to take action against queerphobic crimes and advocate for comprehensive education policies that foster understanding and acceptance in schools.
- In the face of growing general-news stories about neglected schools and queerphobic crimes, it's essential for school administrations to exercise transparency, act decisively, and prioritize student safety above all else, ensuring a nurturing environment for social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
