Teaching Children About Politics and Peacemaking

Nov 10, 2024

A Letter to My Child Regarding Politics

Key Themes

  • Loving Amidst Differences: Emphasizes the challenge of loving others despite differing opinions and ideas.
  • Energy in Differences: Compares the energy in differences to fire, which can be destructive or powerful if harnessed correctly.
  • Politics as Navigation of Differences: Politics is about navigating these differences to decide on leaders and rules.

Understanding Politics and Peacemaking

  • Challenges in Politics: Politics involves vulnerability and high stakes as it deals with disagreements on important matters.
  • No Guarantees in Politics: People may or may not listen, agree, or support you, which can lead to being perceived as bad.
  • Being a Peacemaker: The letter aims to teach the child to be a peacemaker amidst political differences.

Truths for Peacemakers

  • Uniqueness in Differences: Each person is unique, and these differences enhance the world.
  • Goodness in Disagreement: People who disagree often have different perspectives on doing and being good.
  • Loving Others: Even those you disagree with are God’s children and deserve love.
  • Facing Differences: Peacemakers must confront differences without fear or defensiveness.

Avoiding Arguing

  • Curiosity and Listening: Encourage curiosity and listening instead of arguing.
  • Understanding Over Arguing: Understanding someone’s beliefs is more productive than finding faults.
  • Honesty and Presence: Be honest about your views and engage with others openly.

Common Ground and Peace

  • Common Ground Isn't Always Possible: Unity doesn’t always require agreement or common ground.
  • Making Peace Now: Peacemaking should happen amidst differences, not waiting for consensus.

Calls to Action

  • Appreciate Differences: Acknowledge and admire qualities in others, even those you disagree with.
  • Peaceful Dialogue: Express authentic beliefs without hostility.
  • Engaging Young Minds: Teach children to participate in conversations and embrace different perspectives.

Conclusions

  • Harnessing Differences: Use the energy from differences to improve the world.
  • Role of Peacemakers: Essential in holding society together amidst fast-paced changes.
  • Final Promise: Engaging in differences can lead to personal growth and understanding.

Sarah Perkins is noted for her work as a writer and filmmaker, encouraging peace and understanding through her storytelling.