06/03/2020
I believe that none of us was born as racist. Look at those cute babies, full of wonder and full of love. Therefore, we, as adults, have a tremendous responsibility to let the children's good-hearted nature continue to thrive by protecting, nurturing, and loving them.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "If we are to reach real peace in this world, we should start educating children." This observation is one of the main reasons why I decided to be a teacher. Plus, children are so cute! Well, I also try to see the charming child in each adult I encounter. All of us were kids once.
When I was a full-time school teacher working with K to 2, every year of the Black History month (January-February), I read as many children's books written about African American people's struggle as I could fit in the curriculum. (I did the same for Native American people and Native Hawaiian people.)
I saw many of their beautiful eyes filling up with tears as I read. We discussed the incidents, why they happened, what we could have done if we were there, and so on. I told them, "The main reason why you learn to read and write is to gain information and to communicate. The main reason why you learn various things at school is so that we can help each other and also avoid blindly helping something or someone who hurts others. I am also still learning. Let us continue to learn others' sufferings so that we can help our fellow brothers and sisters."
I don't know how many of them remember the books, and I do not care if they or not. That's not the point. If they have learned to care for others and felt any urge to stand up for others or themselves, that's all I ask.
Here are some of the books I've read with my dear students.
🖤🖤🖤
