All Children

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.