Americans Who Tell the Truth |
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Curriculum • Political Justice
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Political Justice Some quotes for prompts, discussion, writing, artistic response….. “There have been periods of history in which episodes of terrible violence occurred but for which the word violence was never used… Violence is shrouded in justifying myths that lend it moral legitimacy, and these myths for the most part kept people from recognizing the violence for what it was. For example, the people who burned witches at the stake never for one moment thought of their act as violence; rather they thought of it as an act of divinely mandated righteousness. The same can be said of most violence we humans have ever committed.”
“Nations and peoples are largely the stories the feed themselves. If they tell themselves stories that are lies, they will suffer the future consequences of those lies. If they tell themselves stories that face their own truths, they will free their histories for future flowerings.” "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. " Dwight D. Eisenhower "I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity. " "I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it. " “Isn’t there another way of managing these resources, of sharing these resources, of being more inclusive, of allowing everybody to play a part to benefit, so that we do not have to fight and kill each other, so that we can have the supreme control of these resources?For as long as we think that way, we will have wars. And Iraq, of course, is only one of the many wars going on in the world. We can stop these wars when we start organizing ourselves differently, managing these resources differently, governing ourselves differently and listening to the voices of citizens. I know that even as we went to war in Iraq, many people in this country and in many other parts of the world pleaded for patience, for waiting, for discussion, for dialogue. We lost. But we must continue to urge our governments to find better ways of managing the conflict over resources.” Discussion questions/ writing prompts:
Poem for study: This is a wonderful poem to use to discuss the role each of us plays in peacemaking. Wendell Berry wrote this for his grandchildren after they had visited a Holocaust memorial site. "Now you know the worst we humans have to know about ourselves, and I am sorry. For I know that you will be afraid. To those of our bodies given Without pity to be burned, I know There is no answer But loving one another, Even our enemies, And that is hard. But I remember: When a person of war becomes a person of peace, He gives a light divine, though it is also human. When a person of peace is killed by a person of war, He also gives light. You do not have to walk in darkness, If you will have the courage for love, You may walk in light. It will be the light of those who have suffered for peace. It will be your light." Wendell Berry, poet Resources for Political Justice studies *Sometimes in April – A film about the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, what led up to it, why conditions in the world and the country itself allowed it, the role of the United Nations and the resultant war crimes trials held. An excellent film that aids in understanding the nature of genocide, the role of the media, and holding individuals caught up in these acts accountable. It is useful in its applications to current struggles in Darfur, Tibet and other places where these injustices continue to occur. *Meeting Resistance- Highly recommended Suitable for high school students and older. Official website has an excellent timeline that will be useful for students to follow, as well as clear anonymous names for the individuals interviewed. It will help students better understand the role of the USA in the Middle East in general, what an “occupation” is vs. a war, and in general, how US citizens can benefit from a deeper understanding of the complexities of the situation. Given that the repercussions of the Iraqi invasion and occupation will last well into the adult lifetimes of our students, this is a film that should be required viewing. Turtles Can Fly- University students only- adult resource A film that shares the horrors faced by children left orphaned by war. Suitable only for university students. A very good resource for teachers that can be used a resource for educating students. Why We Fight- Highly recommended Documentary that sheds light on the economy of war- powerful footage of President Eisenhower that is very useful with students. *Joyeaux Noel- Highly recommended Film that shares the true story of soldiers during WW I who initiated a truce at Christmas, jeopardizing their military status and much more by refusing to do combat. There is a love scene that teachers will need to edit out when showing it unfortunately. It will be well worth the effort. The film is a powerful true rendition of what happens when soldiers resist their governments and refuse to battle. Promises- Be sure to see the updated version that includes a follow up of the students-An insightful , helpful film that sheds light on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Curriculum available for teachers with purchase of film *God Sleeps in Rwanda- A wonderful film that demonstrates the resiliency of those impacted by war. Allows students to examine what qualities and conditions exist that facilitate reconstructing lives both individually and as a culture in order to move beyond the identity associated with the horrors of the past. *Darfur Diaries Three young filmmakers travel into Darfur and interview those impacted by the current conflict, allowing them to tell their stories. There is an accompanying book that is highly recommended. Very helpful for students who are hearing a lot from celebrities about this issue , as it is an honest , grassroots story about what is happening , told from those living in the trenches. It also serves as an example of the willingness of US citizens who don’t’ feel their government is moving on an issue in a meaningful fashion can take up the concern themselves. An extensive curriculum for this piece is available upon request at : michyh@bellsouth.net or via this site. Ghosts of Rwanda : PBS Frontline series Curriculum available online- Very good for use – footage regarding decisions made by the USA on standards for being involved in conflicts or not
Books that give voice to children during times of war: Three Wishes:Palestninian and Israeli Children Speak: Deborah Ellis Zlata’s Diary:A Child’s Life in Sarjevo Zlata Filipvic In Their Own Voices: Teens from Rwanda Speak Aimable Twaglilmana, Ph.D. Before We Were Free Juli Alvarez Katrina Tears Haley Moon Though Hurricane Katrina survivors were not victims of a war; they most certainly suffered the impact of “violence” in the truest sense and were left with the same trauma and stress that war leaves. This is a book written by a teenage girl which shares the feelings and stories of the trauma our children feel when we have not taken care of them during times of violence. Includes pieces for children that can be used a self help tool. Should be required reading!
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