As part of my Social Justice 12 class, I have students present their research on a topic of interest to them. These reports always inspire lively and insightful discussions. A subject that seems to consistently draw a great deal of interest is the Nazi genocide of the handicapped.
The Nazis determined that many people were not worthy of life and that it cost the state too much money to take care of them. Therefore, under the cover of the Second World War, they killed 200,000 people with disabilities, primarily by gas, lethal injection or starvation.
This impacted many German families and they objected to their spouses, children, cousins, parents, aunts and uncles being killed. It proved to be a public relations nightmare for the Nazis and they officially relented, though the murders continued in secret.
After presenting their research, my students ask their classmates what humanity has learned and how we've changed. Do we value all people in our society and do we treat everyone as an equal?
While we have certainly gotten better, few would argue that we continue to discriminate.
I looked up at my wall during the discussion and I saw a message that I put up to remind myself of my mission as an educator, "Help each student to achieve their individual greatness." This brought me to an important realization, that it is impossible to distinguish between a person who is "acceptable" and one who is not. It also challenged me.
First of all, as a public school educator, it is my job to give my very best to each and every person who enters my classroom. I am thankful that no distinction is made with regard to financial means of the parents, race or religion. Every person is a gifted individual, even if the gifts are not yet obvious.
We have made significant progress as a school system and a society to bring about the integration of students of all abilities. Embracing the challenge of integration has made me a better teacher, and, as always, I learn a great deal from my students.
Are we doing enough, however?
Time and again, it has been demonstrated that people once deemed "hopeless" and "unreachable," when they are loved, encouraged, and helped in drawing out their individual greatness, do amazing things. Why would we ever doubt that everyone, regardless of external appearances, has something tremendous to offer?
How foolish the Nazis were for trying to place a dollar value on human potential. Yes, some people need more support, but how dare we say that they are not worth the investment?
The truth is that there are no distinctions between human beings which make us any more or any less worthy of love and respect. All efforts to discriminate, by IQ level, ethnicity, skin colour, and so on, are at best ridiculous and at worst horribly cruel.
Former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, when visiting and UNICEF camp in Gabon in 2010 said, "A society is judged by its treatment of its weakest and most vulnerable members."
What more can we do as a country to support our vulnerable children and adults? In doing so, we need to be aware that this is not charity, we are simply doing what is right. How many geniuses were once categorized "unteachable?" How many great artists were judged as "crazy?" How many kind and wonderful people find it difficult to live on their own? How many people once struggling with addictions are now helping to heal those who continue to suffer?
We are all imperfect, and we are all tremendous. If we learn anything from our history, it is that we are all better when we walk this world together.
Gerry Chidiac is a champion for social enlightenment, inspiring others to find their greatness in making the world a better place. For more of his writings, go to www.gerrychidiac.com.
