What were your classes like in first grade? If they were like mine in my little public school in New Jersey, you did a lot of hands-on learning, including art projects, story time, dioramas, and the like. I remember a project that was assigned to my little sister's class - it involved each student taking home a teddy bear and photographing it, while making a diary recounting what adventures the students embarked on with the bear in tow. According to my memory, the class named the bear Billy, or some other fairly common name. I remember the cute little photo diary that we created about the adventures of "Billy and the Zosches on a Weekend Trip to Vermont." Heartwarming, I know. The same assignment was given to students in Sudan a short while ago. When the teacher asked the students what they would like to name the bear, the children elected to name the bear a very common name, Muhammad. The next day, crowds filled the streets calling for the teacher of the class to be executed. Doesn't sound like your typical day at school, does it? However, this is the reality for schoolchildren and their British teacher in Sudan. In Islam, insulting Muhammad is a grave offense, as is worshipping idols. Under Sudanese law, the teacher could have spent six months in prison and received 40 lashes. She currently faces 15 days in jail and immediate deportation. Some conservative Muslims are calling for her death. Now, I would never call myself the most ardent of patriots. I'm more than willing to critique the American government in its foreign policy, domestic spending, and prioritization of values. I could even call myself overly cynical at times. But stories like this one make me feel downright privileged, proud, and humble to live in the United States. Three weeks ago, I spent the weekend at the School of the Americas protest at Fort Benning, Ga. As we protested this government-funded military training school, we were criticized by some for being unpatriotic. In these post-Sept. 11 days, protest, anti-war movements and other forms of speaking out against the norm are often viewed as anti-American. Being on the front lines myself, I would argue the exact opposite. Engaging in these demonstrations is the epitome of being an American. It is precisely because we live in this country and embrace its values that we are able to speak out against it without fear of the consequences. Rarely have I felt more American than while exercising an active voice in our political system, and that includes protesting. We as Americans can speak out against religion and the government without being imprisoned, and we can surely name our teddy bears whatever we darn well please. In light of the holiday season, I've been thinking about what I truly am most thankful for. Loving family, wonderful friends, a world-class education, and different experiences that have allowed me to grow are all on the top of the list. But I realize that many of the events and experiences that have shaped me throughout my life would not have been possible without the freedoms that I have enjoyed. I am truly and humbly thankful to be an American. So few people have the same opportunities that we have. I've found that Boston College can support a culture of service groups, political organizations, and other forums for discussion that encourage us to challenge how we think. This is an incredibly valuable part of life here. I know from my own experience, however, that sometimes I challenge my beliefs so much that I can become extremely cynical and feel incredibly powerless to effect change in our troubled world. I can be quick to criticize the American government system that has both helped and hurt so many. I realize the somewhat discouraging reality that we all face - there is much to do to make the world right, and not one of us can do it all. Instead, I now hope that in this season of giving and anticipation, each of us can take a hard look at our lives and acknowledge what we are truly blessed to have. As for me, I'm grateful to have the freedoms that are denied to so many. Perhaps if enough of us view our lives from this perspective of gratitude and humility, we will have the power to make things right.
Appreciate the gift of freedom
Published: Monday, December 3, 2007
Updated: Saturday, November 14, 2009
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