Teacher To 12-Year-Old Girl Wearing Mexican Shirt: “What Are You Doing In My Country?”

A teacher at the Big Bear Middle School in Big Bear, CA, allegedly asked a  young student wearing a Mexican shirt, “What are you doing in my country?“

12 year old Coral Aviles, understandably confused and a little scared, asked “Why?”

The teacher, who was unnamed…then responded, ““Because people like you make me pay higher taxes and make my insurance rate go up.” [Aviles], who wore the shirt in support of Mexico for their group stage game against South Africa, ran out of the room crying.

The school is considering disciplinary action, and the girl’s family has enlisted the help of a local civil rights group.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, Council 3163, and the Mexican American Political Association provided support for Aviles. “I think what upset a lot of people is that it was profiling as Mexican a young girl who was an American-born citizen,” said Leroy Martinez, vice president of LULAC Council 3163. The issue isn’t about immigration; it’s about profiling, he said.

The student’s mother, Diana Aviles, says she and her daughter are U.S. citizens.

Aviles, who operates a Mexican restaurant in Big Bear City, said the shirt was purchased during a visit to Mexico. She said she has encountered discrimination before and worries about her family’s safety. A Mexican flag posted outside the restaurant has been torn down a few times, and people shouted obscenities when she tried to replace it, she said.

“I’m tired of all this prejudice,” Aviles said. “I am an American. But I come from Mexican heritage, and I’m proud of what I am.”

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.