Inside Degrassi, at Terri’s locker

Terri: Maybe I should bring haggis for International Day. 

Hazel: Isn’t that made from stomach or liver or something even grosser?

Terri: Yeah, but it’s my Scottish heritage. 

Paige: Terri you are under arrest for wearing last year’s jeans. Fashion crime!

(Paige gives her a fashion ticket.)

Hazel: Well I know someone who could use a ticket herself.

Paige: Me? A fashion criminal?

Hazel: Yeah for starting the school year with a mullet, but you guys want a real fashion crime? 

(Fareeza walks by wearing a hijab.)

Terri: Do you think they’re maybe bald under there?

Ashley: Do you think maybe you’re just a bit ignorant?!

Hazel: You’re under arrest. Crime: t*rror1st-chic. 

Fareeza: Very funny Hazel. 

(Hazel stands in front of Fareeza until she takes the fashion ticket. Fareeza crumples up the paper and throws it on the ground.)

Paige: Woah. Okay Haz, when I’m offended you know you’ve really gone too far.

Hazel: Well dressed like that what do you expect, right?

In Media Immersion, Spinner and Jimmy are playing hacky sack

Mr. Simpson: (Grabs the hacky sack away from them) Woah. Thank you, it’s not even my birthday.

Spinner: Yeah. Sir, can I have that…? Later. 

Mr. Simpson: First up a reminder that tomorrow is Grade 9 International Day. So I expect to be dazzled by each and every one of your displays. 

Spinner: What if you don’t have a culture?

Mr. Simpson: Gavin we’ve been through this. Everyone has a culture so bring food, dress up, do a play.

Hazel: And what if we do nothing?

Mr. Simpson: Nothing? Thought you would have been into this Hazel, but if not…class participation is 10% of your mark. Okay attendance. 

(He starts taking attendance.)

Paige: Haven’t you started yet? Oh well if you haven’t, maybe I could help you finish it tonight. As in me coming over to your place, finally. 

Hazel: Sure. Maybe.

Paige: Hun the complete lack of invite chez vous, paranoia inducing. Are we best friends or not?

Hazel: What do you think?

Mr. Simpson: Michalchuk?

(Paige looks up.)

Mr. Simpson: I know you’re here. Talking to Hazel as always.

In sewing class

Liberty: I suck. 

JT: Yeah, you might be right about that.

Liberty: That’s your hand sewing project? It’s perfect.

JT: Yeah. I guess it’s not bad.

Toby: I’d rather stick sewing needles in my eyes than do another project. 

Liberty: Morton’s assigning more today. 

Toby: Yeah and they’re based on how well we did these. 

Sean: I don’t even care. This stuff is for girls. 

Liberty: And not even true! Just look at JT.

JT: Why Liberty. I’m horrible.

Sean: Doesn’t look like it Gay-T. 

JT: Uh yeah. No, no that’s not mine. This is mine. 

(He takes Liberty’s pillow and shows it to Sean.)

Sean: You win man. That’s the worst. 

Mr. Morton: Please have your projects ready. Ms. Santos. It’s very nice. 

JT: Here take it, pretend it’s not mine. 

Mr. Morton: Ms. Van Zandt? Absolutely incredible work. Wonderful. 

Liberty: Uh thank you sir.

Mr. Morton: Mr. Yorke.

(JT gives it to him.)

Mr. Morton: Perhaps we should send you back to geometry to find out what a square looks like.

In the hallway

Spinner: Last night I asked my mom what my culture was. She pointed to the globe and said I was from Earth.

Paige: It’s good to know. I had my doubts. 

(Spinner pretends to laugh loudly as him and Jimmy walk by.)

Paige: Okay I don’t know why you are so against International Day. 

Hazel: Because we’re people. Why do we need labels?

Paige: I am wearing full Ukrainian down to my chabote and am I complaining? Of course I did make a little update. 

Hazel: You’re an inspiration. Really.

Paige: Please! All you have to wear is some cutoff shorts and bring in like roti or jerk-chicken. 

Hazel: I eat jerk-chicken all the time, but why would I bring it?

Paige: Well it’s Jamaican, isn’t it?

Hazel: Jerk-chicken? Totally.

Paige: And you’re Jamaican aren’t you?

Hazel: Right. Jamaican mon!

Mr. Raditch: (On the PA System) A reminder to grade nine students that tomorrow is International Day. 

Outside the school

Liberty: JT! You have to help me. Do you see the project I just got assigned? 

JT: Yeah the skirt thingy. Eh piece of cake.

Liberty: A whole skirt, on a machine?!

JT: You can do it Liberty.

Liberty: Oh right. You saw what Morton thought of the pillow I did, aka your project! You got a D. Well I got a D, but you claimed the D. 

JT: Look Liberty, I don’t care okay and you’ll be fine. 

Liberty: Probably sew my finger off. 

JT: Not my problem. 

Liberty: Don’t make me tell the guys you’re the next Martha Stewart!

JT: You’re kidding. You wouldn’t.

Liberty: Try me.

JT: Fine I’ll do it, but if you tell anyone I’ll sew your finger off. 

Liberty: Thanks. Now I was thinking a slit up the side might be cute you know, have a really nice plaid fabric there…

At the Crescent Moon Caribbean restaurant

Wayne: Welcome sweetness!

Hazel: Hey Wayne!

Wayne: Here for your usual curried goat?

Hazel: No. For school. I want to give my class a taste of the real Jamaica. 

Wayne: Go for the gold. You love it. 

Hazel: I do, but I’m not sure they will.

Wayne: Ah how’s about some jerk-chicken? That’s pretty safe. 

Hazel: Perfect. How much for like 50 people? Just to give them a taste.

Wayne: Tell you what, since you’re such a good customer I’ll give you a break. 

Hazel: Wow. Thanks.

Wayne: What’s this for?

Hazel: Um I’m doing a project on Jamaica. Thought I’d go for the extra points. 

Wayne: But you’re not from there. 

Hazel: I know. It’s for geography. I’ve always liked Jamaica. Hope to visit some day.

(He hands her a Jamaican poster.)

Wayne: Food and decorations. I see an A+ in your future. 

Inside the school during International Day

Spinner: This is the Gavin Mason little slice of pride. Russian sausage, polish sausage, and German sausage. 

Mr. Simpson: It’s certainly a creative look at your heritage. What are the white chunks?

Spinner: Oh those are Chinese water chestnuts, in honour of my sister. 

Mr. Simpson: How long did you cook this for?

Spinner: I don’t know. Five minutes. Why?

(He spits it out and Jimmy laughs.)

Mr. Raditch: Ms. Michalchuk, I have to compliment you on your Ukrainian outfit. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it. 

Paige: Well I had to make some modifications just to bring it up to date.

Mr. Raditch: Oh it’s definitely up to date.

Paige: Thank you sir! Pierogi? 

Mr. Simpson: This is excellent jerk-chicken Hazel.

Hazel: It’s my mother’s recipe. 

Mr. Simpson: You know I live by the Crescent Moon Caribbean restaurant. She’d give those guys a run for their money. 

Hazel: Thanks. My mom is from Jamaica so you know, they all kind of learned in the same place. 

Mr. Simpson: Yeah mon!

Hazel: Yeah. 

(Hazel and Fareeza glare at each other.)

Mr. Raditch: Citizens of the world, that’s lunch. Be back in 45 minutes. We’ll begin the presentations then. 

Outside the school

Fareeza: Hazel Aden. So you’re Jamaican?

Hazel: What was your first clue?

Fareeza: Just Aden, not really a common name…maybe in Somalia. 

Hazel: Really and what’s your last name? Oh right! I don’t care.

Fareeza: Funny thing is you sort of look Somalian too. 

Hazel: Really? Well, why don’t you mind your own business Fareeza before Jamaica declares w*r on Iraq. 

In the sewing room

JT: Anybody out there?

Liberty: Not a soul!

JT: Good. Can you cut me a 6 centimeter strip of that stuff please?

(Liberty starts cutting the fabric.)

JT: No! No, no, no, no! Stop. Stop. Look, just snip and rip.

Liberty: You never stop surprising me JT. You’re normally such, how do I put this nicely, a slob!

JT: Oh thanks. First you blackmail me into sewing and then you insult me.

Liberty: I’m not insulting you. I’m impressed. You must like it. 

JT: I don’t like it Liberty. My mom’s a seamstress. I guess I just grew up doing it. 

Liberty: Like mother, like son.

JT: You see it’s that kind of comment that makes me want to pretend I’m not good at it. 

Liberty: Why are guys so weird about this?

JT: I don’t know. We just are. Look no more questions, okay? I’m trying to concentrate. Seam ripper. 

In the hallway

Jimmy: Spin I can’t believe you finished two Sheila specials. 

Paige: Yeah after devouring the rest of the world before lunch. 

Spinner: I was just demonstrating my appreciation for Degrassi’s culinary culture. 

(They all stop suddenly.)

Spinner: Woah. 

(Fareeza’s display has been destroyed and spray painted.)

In Mr. Simpson’s class

(Fareeza and Mr. Raditch are talking to the police outside the class.=

Mr. Simpson: A hate crime has been committed here. By who we don’t know, but we’re gonna find out. Until then International Day is on hold. All classes are on hold too. 

Terri: But none of us did it.

Mr. Simpson: Are you sure?

Terri: Yeah. None of us are like that. 

Ashley: So Ter you didn’t make fun of Fareeza’s clothing the other day? And what about you Hazel?

Mr. Simpson: Ashley I know you’re upset.

Ashley: Just because Fareeza’s from Iraq doesn’t make her a t*rror1st.

Spinner: Ash people are scared. I mean, what do you expect?

Jimmy: Spin you can’t be serious. 

Mr. Simpson: You want to explain Jimmy?

Jimmy: My neighbor had his bank account frozen three times just because his name is Osama. Is that fair?

Terri: Of course not, but what does that have to do with Fareeza’s display getting trashed?

In Ms. Kwan’s class

Sean: It’s just some kid trying to get attention. 

Toby: Come on Sean! It’s hate.

Ms. Kwan: Hate’s an interesting word. 

Toby: It’s like h*tler. He hated Jews. Both my great grandparents died in the holocaust. 

In Mr. Armstrong’s class

Kendra: My parents, they’re white. I’m Chinese. We’re still a great family. I’m living proof that race doesn’t matter. 

Mr. Armstrong: Interesting.

In the media immersion class

Jimmy: No matter what we say in class, it doesn’t change anything. 

Ashley: Nice attitude.

Spinner: Okay I don’t want to be all r*cist, but I don’t exactly want to get blown out of the sky by some t*rrorists either. 

(Mr. Raditch walks in.)

Mr. Raditch: I need to see Hazel in my office.

Mr. Simpson: Hazel could you come here?

Terri: What’s going on?

Paige: I don’t know.

In Mr. Raditch’s office

Hazel: But I spent the entire lunch with Paige and Jimmy.

Mr. Raditch: And your thr*at about Jamaica declaring w*r on Iraq?

Hazel: It was a joke.

Mr. Raditch: Really? It wasn’t funny.

(Hazel glares at Fareeza.)

M. Raditch: Don’t blame being here on Fareeza. I wanted to know everything that went on and everything pointed toward you. 

Hazel: Okay I’ll admit, Fareeza is not my favourite person, but I would never do that to her display.

(His phone rings.)

Mr. Raditch: (On the phone) Yes. You do? Tell the police I’ll be right there.

(He hangs up.)

Mr. Raditch: The police have caught the culprits it seems.

Fareeza: Who are they?

Mr. Raditch: Two boys in grade 10. 

Hazel: So can I go now?

Mr. Raditch: What happened to Fareeza’s display was a large example of racism, but smaller things, like words, it’s where this stuff starts…like your fashion crime ticket, accusing Fareeza of being a t*rror1st. 

Mr. Raditch: I’d like to apologize to you on behalf of the school and invite you to recreate your display in the foyer. 

Fareeza: Thank you. 

In the hallway

Emma: I still can’t believe that could happen at Degrassi. 

JT: I’m just surprised Fareeza did a display on Iraq at all. 

Emma: Why?

JT: I mean it’s not going to be too popular.

Toby: So what’s she supposed to do? Hide who she really is?

Liberty: JT…

JT: Look Liberty I know what you’re going to say, okay? So don’t. 

Liberty: You heard them. It’s wrong to hide. It’s a natural talent JT. You should be proud. 

In sewing class

Manny: That skirt is so cute.

Emma: You honestly made that Liberty?

Liberty: Of course.

JT: Did you bring it?

Liberty: I feel terrible about this.

JT: I know, but it’s my choice.

Mr. Morton: Okay time to look at your work. Let’s start with Mr. Yorke who gave us such an entertaining piece of art last time. 

(JT gives him Liberty’s pillow.)

Mr. Morton: It’s improved. You’ll never be a tailor, but you will pass the course. 

JT: Thank you sir. 

Mr. Morton: Now Ms. Van Zandt I’d been waiting all day. Your work please. 

(Liberty stands up and shows him the skirt.)

Mr. Morton: Look at the drapery. Perfectly flat stitching. It’s remarkable. Absolutely remarkable. You have a real gift, a true talent, a sewing genius. 

Liberty: JT sewed this! He’s the genius. 

Mr. Morton: What? 

JT: What? She’s lying.

Liberty: He’s lying. I’m all thumbs sir. Compare my blood to that on the pillow if need be. Forensics sir.

Mr. Morton: JT, Liberty we’ll sort this mess out after class, shall we?

Sean: JT’s a seamstress. 

Toby: Could you make me a matching blouse, Mr. Fashion Designer?

In the hallway, Fareeza is putting her display back together

Fareeza: You don’t have to help me.

Hazel: Don’t you think I should?

Fareeza: No and I’d prefer if you didn’t.

Hazel: Fareeza I know how hard it is to be Muslim, especially now.

Fareeza: How? You’re Jamaican remember? 

Hazel: My name Aden? You said before it sounded Somalian. My name sounds Somalian because it is. That’s what I am.

Fareeza: I know.

Hazel: At my last school something happened to me. I got, I got cornered by these girls. One of them held me. The other h*t me. Called me a t*rror1st. 

Fareeza: And you sure learned from them. 

At JT’s locker

Toby: Oh Mr. Stitchery.

Sean: You want to make me a nice apron?

JT: Go ahead laugh it up. Really funny. 

Emma: Um JT we were wondering if-

JT: Yes Emma. Give your best sh*t. Come on. 

Manny: We were wondering if you would make us skirts like Liberty’s. 

Emma: We’d be happy to pay you.

Toby: You’re serious?

Emma: Liberty’s skirt was really great. 

Manny: I couldn’t believe it. Who knew our own JT had so much talent?

JT: Ladies I’ll be happy to oblige, but I will have to measure you.

Manny: Me first. 

(JT takes a measuring tape and starts measuring Manny.)

JT: How about $35 each or two for $60?

In media immersion class

Mr. Simpson: Guys. Settle. We’re gonna start today a little differently. Hazel has something she wants to show us. 

Hazel: I lied to you all yesterday. Some of you I’ve been lying to longer than that. So let me introduce myself. My name is Hazel Aden and I was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. Not Jamaica and yes I’m a Muslin. These are my parents. My mom came here first with me to flee a civil w*r. My dad who was fighting in the w*r came later. 

Terri: Fareeza wears that headscarf thing. How come you don’t?

Hazel: It’s a hijab and I do when I go to mosque, but to take it on full time it’s a personal and important decision. Anyway I’m sorry I lied. Unlike you guys I was ashamed of who I am, but not anymore. 

(They begin clapping for her.)

END
{"type": "series", "show": "Degrassi Next Generation", "episode": "02x11 - Don't Believe the Hype"}