Degrassi: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Don't Believe the Hype (2002)

Andrea Lewis: Hazel Aden

Quotes 

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

  Paige Michalchuk : Me? A fashion criminal?

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

  [a female student named Fareeza walks by Paige, Hazel and Terri wearing a hijab] 

  Terri McGreggor : [to Fareeza]  Do you think they're maybe bald under there?

  Ashley Kerwin : Do you think maybe you're just a bit ignorant?

  Hazel Aden : You're under arrest. Crime: terrorist-chic.

  Fareeza : Very funny, Hazel.

  [tries to leave, but Hazel doesn't move until Fareeza takes the ticket; Fareeza crumples up the ticket, throws it on the ground and leaves] 

  Paige Michalchuk : Whoa. Okay, Haz, when I'm offended, you know you've really gone too far.

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

• Fareeza : [to Hazel]  Hazel Aden. So you're Jamaican?

  Hazel Aden : What was your first clue?

  Fareeza : Just Aden. Not really a common name. Maybe in Somalia.

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

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

  Hazel Aden : Really? Well, why don't you mind your own business, Fareeza, before Jamaica declares war on Iraq.

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

  Fareeza : How? You're Jamaican, remember?

  Hazel Aden : 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 Aden : At my last school, something happened to me. I got... I got cornered by these girls. One of them held me. The other hit me. Called me a terrorist.

  Fareeza : And you sure learned from them.

• Archie 'Snake' Simpson : [during media immersion class]  Guys. Settle. We're gonna start today a little differently. Hazel has something she wants to show us.

  Hazel Aden : 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 war. My dad who was fighting in the war came later.

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

  Hazel Aden : 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.

• Hazel Aden : [in Raditch's office after Fareeza's display got spray painted]  But I spent the entire lunch hour with Paige and Jimmy!

  Principal Daniel Raditch : And you're threatened about Jamaican declaring a war on the rack?

  Hazel Aden : It was a joke!

  Principal Daniel Raditch : Really? It wasn't funny. Don't blame being on Fareeza. I want to know everything that went on, and everything pointed toward you.

  Hazel Aden : Ok, I'll admit, Fareeza is not my favorite person. But I would never do that to her display.

  Principal Daniel Raditch : [his phone rings]  Yes? You do? Tell the police I'll be right there.

  [hangs up] 

  Principal Daniel Raditch : The police have caught up the culprits it seems.

  Fareeza : Who are they?

  Principal Daniel Raditch : 2 boys in grade 10.

  Hazel Aden : So can I go now?

  Principal Daniel 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 terrorist. 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.