Education is powerful in preventing hate
Schools are an effective tool to build a caring society, says Vianne Timmons.
I always say that universities should not be a reflection of the society in which we live, but rather a reflection of the society in which we want to live.
When I think about the disturbing events that have taken place over the past few weeks in places like Charlottesville, Virgina, I get very worried about the future of our world.
And I am doubly worried because U.S. President Donald Trump, the person who occupies the most powerful position in the world, failed to immediately condemn the hatred that has fuelled such events. After initially saying the fault for the violence rested with “many sides,” he belatedly called out the racists and neo-Nazis, only to revert to his argument that all sides were to blame. If anything, his decidedly unpresidential words have worsened an already bad situation.
Has he — and collectively, have we — not learned anything from history? Generations of people have fought, suffered, and in too many cases, died for the causes of freedom and equal rights. Yet it seems as if there are many among us who would happily ignore the difficult lessons that we have learned together, and focus instead on an ignorant and isolating hatred that may tear us apart.
I may be saddened by what I see taking place in the world, but I will never be discouraged. That is because when I walk the halls of our university, I am inspired by what I see. Students from different countries and cultures, of different religions and genders, and with different abilities and points of view, all live, learn and work together on our campus. They inspire me with their openness to others and their resistance to racism and intolerance.
I always say that universities should not be a reflection of the society in which we live, but rather a reflection of the society in which we want to live. These students embody that desire. In doing so, they confirm my belief that a wide-ranging education is our most important means of defeating ignorance, fear and hatred.
Such an education does not take place only in our universities and other postsecondary institutions. It begins in the home, and continues in our K-12 system. From an early age, children who have the opportunity to learn about and respect differences will value diversity, reject intolerance and combat hatred in our communities.
In the most widely shared series of tweets in history, former U.S. president Barack Obama recently underscored this point by quoting Nelson Mandela: “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Our schools and postsecondary institutions are by no means perfect, but aside from our own parenting, they are the most effective tool we have to build a caring and compassionate society that eschews war, does not oppress women and minorities and promotes mutual understanding. As Mandela also said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Thousands of students will be returning to our K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions in the next few weeks, and their education can help them change the world for the better. We must take every opportunity to discuss world events with them, teach them the value of diversity, and thank their teachers for helping open the world to them.
Our students are our best opportunity to combat the ignorance and intolerance of people like President Trump. Let’s do everything we can in the coming months and years to help them bring about much-needed positive change in the world.