Monday, January 25, 2010
Should students learn about genocide crimes in schools?
I have visited many schools around the USA to speak about the crime of genocide. The majority of teachers and student groups that organize the lecture often have some knowledge about the crime of genocide in general, and sometimes have heard of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda.
Reacting to my lectures, letters that I have received from students often express sentiments of gratitude for having been offered the opportunity to learn more about the crime of genocide. Most of them suggested that the experience of listening to a speaker allowed them to reflect on their own personal lives as individuals, family and community members. While some talk about issues that concern them most such as family members hooked on drugs and alcohol, domestic violence, child abuse, school and community based violence ( i.e. gang violence), lack of opportunity to learn and discuss what is going on outside of their safe environment, lack of courses on global studies in schools, etc..., other students connected my lectures to community problems such as hate crimes, gang violence, and rising intolerant behaviors in some parts of the country.
Although students' reactions offer me comfort and extra energy to reach even more schools, I would really like to hear thoughts and ideas from students, teachers and community members about the idea of offering classes on genocide studies to High school students and what they should expect to learn / gain from these classes. If you happened to have a different view on this, I'd like to hear your opinions as well.
Reacting to my lectures, letters that I have received from students often express sentiments of gratitude for having been offered the opportunity to learn more about the crime of genocide. Most of them suggested that the experience of listening to a speaker allowed them to reflect on their own personal lives as individuals, family and community members. While some talk about issues that concern them most such as family members hooked on drugs and alcohol, domestic violence, child abuse, school and community based violence ( i.e. gang violence), lack of opportunity to learn and discuss what is going on outside of their safe environment, lack of courses on global studies in schools, etc..., other students connected my lectures to community problems such as hate crimes, gang violence, and rising intolerant behaviors in some parts of the country.
Although students' reactions offer me comfort and extra energy to reach even more schools, I would really like to hear thoughts and ideas from students, teachers and community members about the idea of offering classes on genocide studies to High school students and what they should expect to learn / gain from these classes. If you happened to have a different view on this, I'd like to hear your opinions as well.
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