Perhaps
the
Gulf
War
(1990-1991)
was the most painful
time for me as a teacher. I heard many
children question our being at war. The
teachers were almost all in favor of it. When
I
suggested
we
discuss it in our classes, I was
rebuked with
“What’s the point?” and “Our country’s at war.”
SKIP THE QUESTION
I
had my class write the troops;
I asked for a kids’ support group.
Can I talk of peace?
I
am
told:
Say the pledge; sing the anthem;
skip the question.
We tell
students to
“talk it out.”
The U. S.
fights it out.
Aren’t we being hypocrites?
I
am told:
Say the pledge; sing the anthem;
skip the question.
We
read about Samantha;
We read about Sadako.
What would they say now.
I
am told:
Say the pledge; sing the anthem;
skip the question.
If
I suggest we ask the kids
t-h-e b-i-g q-u-e-s-t-i-o-n,
“SHOULD WE BE AT WAR?”
I
am told:
Say the pledge; sing the anthem;
skip the question.
Americans, of course, can dissent.
Yet we must be patriotic.
Can a good American dissent?
I
am told:
Say the pledge; sing the anthem;
skip the question.
It’s all so hard for me.
And what if a child asks:
“Why do so many have to die?’?
Should I say:
Say the pledge; sing the anthem;
skip the question?
© Michael Berkowitz
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