Speak of the Helpers
Teaching children to look for the helpers
The Problem with Taking Sides
We have an urge to pick a side. As the conflict began with Hamas attacking Israel in the most incessant, deplorable way, I didn’t quite understand the backgrounds of my young students here in America. I knew South Asia was strongly represented in my classroom, but I didn’t realize that I had a few from the Middle East. I do not speak to them about the conflict between Gaza and Israel.
My first impulse was — I stand with Israel. I still do, but I now see the bigger picture. I see that it is under Hamas-rule the Palestinians are now victims of the counterattacks of this war. I see the complexity of the situation. And I see how ugly leaders can be…training young soldiers to do the most reprehensible acts.
From the Russia-Ukraine War to the Israel-Hamas War — acts committed were more than war…they were savage, inhuman cruelties. There are not necessarily sides to take in these wars. The side to take is against terrorism, dictatorship, and genocide, and for tolerance, human rights, and democracy. I cannot believe that people are responding with antisemitism and Islamophobia. It’s just gross ignorance in the most supposedly educated institutions.
Cultured by Children
I learn so much about the world through my students. We read about the heroes in the world…the helpers, the ones that make positive changes.
I read a short biography of Malala Yousafzai, a feminist and a Muslim, to my students. Malala is a young woman from Pakistan who was targeted as a child by the Taliban for her efforts for girls to be able to go to school. Schools for girls were bombed, and Malala was shot in the head while on a bus at age 15. After the attack, she and her family relocated to England for their safety. By age 17, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize becoming the youngest-ever Nobel laureate.
One of my sweet students, a practicing Muslim, corrected my pronunciation of Malala Yousafzai’s last name (You — shof — zI). She was so excited that I read about someone she admires. She explained the importance of the hijab to Muslims like her, and then asked me for the book to reread.
Peaceful Change in South India
In South India, a beautiful effort was made generations ago to dismantle the caste system. Recently, I had a conference with a parent from South India of the Hindu faith. I was confused because my student’s last name was her father’s first name. The father kindly educated me.
In South India in an effort to break away from the once prevalent discrimination, children take their father’s first name as their last name. I think this was a fascinating idea to promote social equality. It fostered seeing people as individuals, instead of viewing them in the eyes of their family’s longstanding hierarchy in society.
No Cancel Culture
We cannot cancel a person or culture based on an act from someone in their culture. I wish for our children that our culture’s first impulse is not — whom should I hate? I hope this next generation will teach the rest of us — to see the bigger picture and be humane. We as a world have become so defined by which side we are on. The elementary school lessons we learn about tolerance are not sticking into adulthood. We are more than our religion, our political party, and none of us deserve to be canceled. Well, except for terrorists and brutal dictators — I wish it were simpler to cancel them. I hope the good leaders of the world can help move us away from antisemitism and Islamophobia. For now, I’ll keep reading about the helpers to my elementary school students.
Author’s Note: These are just an elementary teacher’s thoughts. I am disheartened by what I see is going on in the world. So, I am looking for the good, the helpers.
