Friday, April 13, 2012

Synthesizing our understanding of Children and War

Hi everyone.  We have spent some time trying to understand the impact of war on children around the world.  As a way to bring it all together and share your insights please go to Reflections 2A or 2B.  The groups will stay the same as last time:
  • If you were in group 1A complete 2A this time
  • If you were in group 1B complete 2B this time
Your task is to: 1) watch the interview; 2) complete the reflection task (by Monday April 16th); and respond to at least 2 other postings (after Monday).

I look forward to reading what you have to say.
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2 comments:

  1. EstherApril 14, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    There is no comment box at the bottom of the reflections.

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  2. Marie-ClaireApril 15, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    In his interview on the Hour, Ishmael Beah talked about the way in which Westerners romanticize war, which demonstrates how distanced they are from its violence and destruction. I tend to agree with Beah. Analyzing the action movies that are pumped out of Hollywood, all seem to have a reoccurring trend: the glorification of killing and violence. Ishmael Beah wrote the book "A Long Way Gone" to share his story and raise awareness about the enormously grave issue of child soldiers. Through sharing the painful details of his life as a child soldier, Ishmael Beah unveils the truth of war, and the dangerous impacts it poses on children around the world. He is changing our perception of war and killing, and forcing us to question its role in our society. After being exposed to this information though, many question what to do next. I know that I am currently facing this dilemma. Knowing what I know about child soldiers, it seems wrong not to do anything to help the situation, but what? Raising awareness is important of course, but what good does a bunch of educated people do? Do we raise money to give to a country to install a rehab center for demobilized soldiers, and if so, how do we choose the country? DO we raise money to give to an organization such as UNICEF, or is that just enforcing the idea of "Western superheroes" swooping in to save the day? There are so may countries affected by this problem, and I find myself a little overwhelmed. I know it is important to apply what I now know, but I am a little unsure as to how to do that. All I know is that as a child who has never had to participate in war, I believe that this should be a reality instead of a privilege for all children around the world.

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