Teaching students about genocide doesn’t come without its challenges. Having kids encounter some of the darkest moments in human history can induce horror and a sense of disbelief that all is not well in the world. Facts and stories, documentaries and photo galleries about man’s destruction of his fellow man can erase a certain security that comes with learning that planet Earth isn’t safe for everyone.
But telling the truth about genocide and other atrocities doesn’t just hurry away young students’ innocence. When carefully presented, these important conversations help them grasp that evil does indeed exist. Human suffering is real. It helps them realize that grave injustices are not only historical – they’re indigenous to the times in which we live.
But most importantly, teaching about genocide can help bring students to crossroads of their own. When faced with the mistakes of the past – inaction, lack of political will, indecision – will these kids choose differently in the future? When confronted with injustices perpetuated by hate, prejudice or apathy, will they remember not to forget that they can have a vital role in helping end such wrongs?
I wrote I Learned a New Word Today...Genocide to help kids in late elementary through high school understand more about the nature and constructs of this most detestable crime against humanity. I chose six major genocides of the last century to show similarities, differences and the “ingredients” that lead to race killing. I chose fiction to do this because I wanted to depict the life and adventures of an ordinary kid who happens to be encountering genocide for the first time. In so doing, it’s my hope that atrocities like genocide, human trafficking, extreme poverty and the like would become topics that we’re not afraid to discuss with older children.
I also wrote this story to help students understand that they can make a difference. It’s never too early to care and get involved, and every effort to help end and prevent human suffering matters.
Right now, genocide in Sudan’s western Darfur continues unabated after more than six years of systematic, government-backed killings. Up to a half million lives have been lost and more than 2.7 million civilians have been displaced. At this writing, the military junta in Burma is yet oppressing its people and grave human rights abuses persist in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Clearly, the perpetuation of such injustices won’t be ended by a magic silver bullet. But if we all decided not to do nothing about such atrocities – and we each decided to do something – then perhaps making genocide history is more of a reality than we imagine.
I hope that you find I Learned a New Word Today…Genocide helpful and encouraging as you teach and inspire our next generation to do the things that they can do to evoke change.
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