As both an educator and a parent, I wrestle almost daily with two different mindsets. On the one hand, I want to protect children from the violence and hatred that permeates the daily news and entertainment; on the other hand, I feel it’s essential to convince them that violence is real, not just the stuff of fictional worlds and Marvel movies. As much as I cringe when my older son tells his little brother to play the role of Superman to his Lex Luther, I know that pretending to be superheroes has given my eight-year-old some of the strength he needs to make it through a world inundated with things out of his (and his parents’) control. The world is big, and my kids are small, and they’ve noticed that rather than emerge in a cape wielding a magic lasso, I get down on my knees to give them a great big hug when scary things happen. I can’t help but note that the puppies from Paw Patrol have more power to set things right, and in 22 minutes, no less.
I want my children and my students to persist in seeing the good (what Quakers call the Light of God) in each person and in believing that peaceful problem-solving can prevail in resolving conflict. I want to continue to champion and live into the principles of peace and nonviolence that will create the world we want for our children. I also want to make sure they know, on Veterans Day and every day, that in an imperfect world where superheroes do not reign and where peace is not yet the way, individual men and women give their time, their energy, and sometimes their lives to protect us.
Our work at Friends School Haverford is to instill the values of kindness, peace, and generosity in all of our students to create a more just and peaceful world. Until that world exists, I hope you’ll join me in honoring the servicemen and women who have given so much.