The room was filled with all of the teachers. 15 to 20 white women (Russian, Armenian, and other nationalities) on one side of the Music School auditorium and 2 Turkmen men on the left. What follows are the words of a woman who can't live without her job. She was demoted purely because of race. During her speech the Turkmen said nothing.
"Alright people. Have a seat. Now as you know, the Commission was here yesterday, and we have a few new things to implement. I'm just telling you what they told me, so just hold on."
"First, our wall hangings and portraits are not up to date. The portrait with the ring needs to be replaced with the new ones, and the poetry and emblems should be new formats also. We should all have some form of a frame also."
"Okay, second, we need all classrooms to have the sacred text, which should be 50,000 manat at the bazaar. If you're teaching more than one student, you should be in a classroom with a Ruhnama."
"Next, we'll be congregating from now on in the music hall before 9:00 to sing the anthem. Our workday starts at 9:00, so at 8:55 you must be here to sing the anthem together every day."
"Lastly--please just listen while I get this out--our clothing is not appropriate. Men, your new uniform is black suit, black tie, white shirt and Turkmen cap. Women, you will wear green national dresses with white blouse. That's all."
Onslaught of blasphemous angry comments, not reported or reportable. Silence from the rest. Silence and sad eyes.
Great cultural steps forward for our people.
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