Let's tend the earth of our societies
Last month we honored the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. In the same month, the fifth world Holocaust Forum took place in Jerusalem. We've made them special days of honor so that we - and people in the future - will think deeply about our past, measure progress made and lessons learned. As educators it is most important that we not allow our history to become simply dry facts to be memorized. We highlight these days as a reminder to make a special effort to remember our history.
These two events both serve to help us look back and remember. The lessons learned tend to focus on social progress, how equal rights under the law developed over time, and the concept of tolerance.
As parents and teachers we strive to be positive role models in helping our children be kind, respectful and tolerant of all people in this world. It begins at home, then in the classroom and in all of our interactions throughout our day. We know sadly intolerance still lurks in the human heart. Words are used to brand those who are different, even at a young age we see children do this. It is important to pause when we see this, we must name it and dissect it. From small children it may begin with, "Yes his skin is darker, or she is shorter...." We tend to tell our children "shhhh don't say that" , when we may need to say, "Yes she is shorter, her skin is darker or lighter, his eyes may be a different shape (whatever the comment is) we hear what they say and then help them explore the impact and meaning of their comment. I often here conversation such as how we are different on the outside yet we all are the same on the inside. Today as I write this I ponder this comment. Should we and do we process with our children the joy in differences, the benefits of not all being exactly the same. Maybe we need to explore how we feel when we are at a birthday party and everyone is from our school or our family and we feel comfortable and then how do we feel when we go to a birthday party and everyone is not from our school or our family. How do we feel at these different birthday parties? Do we connect differences with comfort and joy and other positive attributes?
I worry that our biases lay buried deep inside us and we don't explore these biases to recognize them so that we can push them into a new realm that impacts our selves and in turn our children and or the students we come in contact with each day. Take this moment and pause and ask yourself a tough question, "Did you come in contact recently with someone that is different in looks or beliefs and how did you treat them?" Imagine that you have videotaped yourself for the past month. If you had to identify one moment that you showed a bias towards someone based on appearance or religious beliefs what was it? How might it have influenced others around you? How might you have acted differently? Will you see that person today, tomorrow or this week? What can you do differently? To commit ourselves to self analysis for growth on a regular basis is a necessity. Perhaps we begin with this recognition.
Parents, teachers and all of us must be fearless in confronting falsehoods. Factually we can state when we hear a comment that is unacceptable and intolerant. We continue to work towards creating a mutual understanding and respect committed to tolerance for all people. These lessons are unfortunately still relevant to this day. We cannot be blinded by this reality, though we may prefer this.
“I decided it is better to scream. Silence is the real crime against humanity.”
― Hope Against Hope
To remember, to remember, to remember.... this is our job. Each of us has a responsibility, a collective responsibility to apply the lessons learned to the present and to the future.
As we move through the year we take great pride in facilitating that children learn the value and importance of the messages of our history and how it connects to how we live today. Sadly there is no society or democracy that is immune to intolerance. We must work towards this kind of a society.
We begin with our own behavior and we continue to conduct ourselves with responsibility and a commitment to strengthen the moral values of our selves and our children. As adults we will find ourselves searching for our own moral compass. I was recently in my own moment in which I was listening to a group of adults talk unkindly about a member of our group. I walked away and said to myself I do not want to be part of this conversation. I walked away in silence. As I reflect on this experience I will challenge myself to move forward not in silence, in respectful critique of my behavior and of those around me. Sometimes like young children we as adults lose our manners and we need to be reminded of that! From here begins our job of creating a world that is respectful, kind and tolerant of each other. We often talk about the importance of being a good role model, but it is truly the importance of living a life as our best person! Yes role model, but truly let's try to be the best person we can be.
Some wonderful quotes from Martin Luther King Jr:
The time is always right to do what is right.
Whatever effects one directly, effects all others indirectly.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.
As I move forward in my day I will carry these words and continue to look at my own actions in times of discomfort. I will also watch children in these moments. Young children are often brave and outspoken in their ways. Recognizing and saluting this honesty is easier for them. I often here a child say, "Hey that was not nice!" Once again I will learn from them!
Some meaningful quotes from Ellie Weisel:
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
One person of integrity can make a difference.
Let us all be a person of integrity.
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