We started this blog to focus on doing what’s right for children,
for all children, in public education.
Today’s post is bigger. It’s about looking at a broader picture, the
consequences of our actions or inaction, and not doing harm. Please read with an open mind, consider that these
children could be your own, could have even been you but for different
circumstances…
-Dani
These are my children (biological)
And these are my children (students I’ve been honored to work
with)
And these are my children (children of migrants seeking asylum at
the border; Getty images, copyright John Moore)
It’s hard for me to not see similarities, to go from one photograph to the next and see that at the
heart of the matter, they are the same. They have the same basic needs, the
same physiological development, and the same rights as humans. Those children at the border could one day be in my classroom or yours, could be in a school with your children or grandchildren. What is
different about the children in these photos is the way our country sees and treats them.
Children are powerless. What they, and in this case their
families, need from us is open-mindedness, empathy, advocacy, and protection.
Families seeking asylum are fleeing from violence and situations that I can’t
even imagine. They come to us with the hope of safety and the chance for better
lives for their children. But our government is instead inflicting more trauma.
Experiences in early childhood, while the brain
is still rapidly developing, have serious and lifelong implications for how a
child will learn, grow, establish relationships, and behave. Dr. Colleen Kraft,
president of the American Association of Pediatrics, said, “These kids have
stress hormone damage and a “fight or flight” mentality, which leads to
developmental delay and maladaptive behavior. With normal brain architecture
you will keep the ability to read, the ability to write, the ability to love
and learn. With these kids, the strong connections with fear and anxiety and
pain and hurt are the ones that stay, and the ability to learn new things, the
ability to read, will be pruned away.” (MPR News, June 26, 2018).
As a parent, a teacher, and a citizen I am outraged at the current
situation in this country. The policy of separating children from their
asylum-seeking parents is cruel. It is traumatic for children and their
parents. And after public backlash and outcry, the complex reunification process begins. I have spent years working with hundreds of children and families in
education. To see any child in what amounts to a cage is downright despicable and there is no
argument or justification that makes this ok. Is this who we are? Is this what
we elected our leaders to do?
I have written to my elected officials, I’ve signed petitions,
I’ve donated money, I am writing about this issue on numerous platforms, but I
keep asking myself what more I can do. Because my heart is breaking for these
children, children who could be mine, could be yours, and should be treated as
such.
Judy and I believe that immigration and border control issues need
to be addressed. But how we address them tells a lot about who we are as
individuals and as a country. How do we talk to each other respectfully,
consider different viewpoints, and come to a compromise that we can live with,
one that recognizes the human dignity that we all (immigrants included) want and deserve to
be treated with?
Here are some things we believe a critical thinker might consider:
- Why are people coming here?
- Fairness; what is fair? Do immigrants receive “free”
services that citizens do not, such as healthcare, housing or food
assistance?
- Are citizens paying for the existence of immigrants in
this country?
- Which news sources are you looking at? “Factual”
information varies widely depending upon whom you listen to. Can you look
at various sources, research without assumption, and make up your own mind?
- How do we achieve balance?
- Can you challenge your own beliefs?
- Would you try to imagine yourself in another person’s situation?
I (Dani) attended a workshop recently for science educators about the importance of including different perspectives into what and how we teach. One statement that has
stuck with me about the value in honoring differences in human experience is
this: It isn’t that hard to treat other human beings as sacred.
Please. Consider that.
