‘In utter disgust’: Interaction between Vanier teacher and Armenian student causes online uproar

MONTREAL (CityNews) – Montreal’s Armenian community is calling for immediate action after an uncomfortable interaction between a CEGEP teacher and a student was caught on video.

In the video, circulating widely on social media, a Vanier College teacher is seen questioning a student about the origins of his last name.

The teacher, identified online as Afshin Matlabi, is shown repeatedly asking the student why he chose to put his mother’s Armenian last name first.

“How come your dad did not put his name first?” asks Matlabi. “Mom put first, what’s going on here?

“Why don’t you put your dad’s name first?”

When the student asks “why,” Matlabi responds, “why not?”

The teacher then says it was all a joke.

“It’s first thing in the morning, your brain is going to explode,” he says. “I’m pulling your leg, for crying out loud.”

https://twitter.com/jessmkita/status/1354069636535480321

But the city’s Armenian community is not laughing.

“I realized what was happening without even knowing anything,” said Jessica Moukhtarian, a member of the Armenian National Committee of Quebec and Canada. “I was in utter disgust and it was like someone had punched me to my stomach.

“To be antagonized based on our last name by a teacher that has been teaching for over twenty years in a multi-cultural environment in a very diversified city is really shocking and hurtful.”

Moukhtarian, a former Vanier College student herself, says she has been in touch with the student and his family. And the school is currently in discussion with them.

“We expect immediate action on this matter,” said Moukhtarian in a social media post denouncing the interaction.

Message from Vanier's General Director about a recent video that has been shared on social media. pic.twitter.com/DyksBq8zl6

— Vanier College (@vaniercollege) January 26, 2021

Vanier College did not respond to CityNews’ request for an interview, but the school released a statement on Tuesday.

“We have become aware of a recent video that has been shared on social media,” read the statement. “We have mechanisms in place to address such situations and the College is addressing this issue immediately.

“Vanier is a diverse community of learners and prides itself on trying to create a learning environment free of racism, discrimination and hate. We are taking this very seriously.”

Moukhtarian hopes Vanier will make their online learning space a safe environment for students from all ethnic backgrounds.

“That’s the beauty of Montreal, that’s the beauty of Canada, is that we came here to be protected, embraced, to live amongst each other in a peaceful way and respectful way,” she said. “And I just believe that we need to be extra careful and sensitive when we are talking to each other and talking about different cultures.”

She also hopes everyone can learn from the experience – including the teacher.

“We want this mostly to be a teachable moment for that teacher, for Vanier, and universities all across Canada to not poke fun or make fun of somebody’s last name as it is a clear representation of their ethnicity and their background and it could be a very sensitive matter.”