‘Difficult truths’
There is a shame that exists in our country.
And those who seek to deny it, or worse, hide it, are afraid to face it or deal with it.
As a retired teacher, I have a unique perspective on those who wish to regulate the classroom.
I remember my wife and I being told by our pediatrician that our newborn is much tougher than we could imagine. He told us babies fuss and fart and make so many noises all night long.
He said, “If you get up at every one of those sounds, you won’t be physically able to perform your duties as a parent.” That advice resonated with us as we traversed the challenges of raising our three children.
I would like to propose that parents of school-age children adopt that same approach.
It takes real courage to take the time and effort to craft quality lesson plans about racism in the United States, as well as around the world. But the true courage involves the inherent trust it takes to let a teacher educate your child.
I was blessed with that responsibility for 12 years. I did not take that responsibility lightly.
The challenge of engaging in difficult, and demanding lessons about race creates an environment of real learning. Real learning requires moments of discomfort.
Think back in your life and truly relive those moments. Times when a friend told an openly racist joke, and you stood silent. When someone mimicked another race’s language. When you witnessed racism and were too afraid to confront it. When someone used racist terms to attack someone’s sexual orientation. When the hate and fear welled up in a person and the invectives flowed in their thoughts or their actions.
I could go on, but I’m guessing you get the gist.
I was watching a “60 Minutes” piece on Ben Ferencz, a prosecutor of Nazi war crimes. It struck me how he was able to surgically construct cases against some horrific crimes. I recommend you watch that segment if you question the validity of learning about racism during WWII.
His exposé touched on the murdering of the Jews, Gypsies, and those who refused to do Hitler’s bidding. He became a lead prosecutor of those murder crimes. He is a case study for one who lives a life opposed to racism.
And yet, when asked the question as to why generally “good people” commit crimes against mankind on the basis of racism, knowingly directed by a evil madman, he said, “I believe those were good people doing their patriotic duty.”
Does that sound familiar? Did you not watch “good people” follow the directions of the president and his minions and attack the seat of our government? Have you not seen the videos of these “good people” viciously attack the peace officers sworn to protect our government?
Or, have you, because of your political affiliation, been witness to men and women in Congress openly deny what we all witnessed?
Is the pursuit of power such an addictive drug that one can deny the truth in the face of incontrovertible evidence?
It demands the teacher and the student to openly discuss the wounds of racism that individuals have inflicted on each other. You see, the truth is, we all have committed some form of racism in our lifetimes, despite the loud denials. One doesn’t have to commit a race crime to augment an act of racism.
The real challenge facing our society is: Do we care enough about ending racism in all forms? Are we willing to give the trust to teachers necessary to confront some difficult truths? Can we allow our students the responsibility to learn — and I mean, truly learn — about difficult and often painful truths?
To continue to deny and hide from those truths is a mistake we as a society should not continue to make!
Vince Keelan
Honokaa
Safer access
Aloha, County Council: I applaud the passage of Bill 48 after so many years of waiting for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in the public parks of the Big Island.
Please be sure to include an independent review of all parks in this measure, and do not forget safety issues of entry and exit to the ocean for elderly and disabled by installing appropriate railings at the well-used beach parks.
Kupuna and the disabled deserve this accommodation.
Toby S. Hazel
Hilo
