LIVING TOGETHER AT ALL AGES

This week I had two opportunities to witness the impact of world history on people close to me at both ends of the age spectrum. They’re examples of how history influences and affects us all throughout life. Understanding that and being able to discuss history and its impact is what living together really is about.

Monday morning, while navigating rush hour traffic to get my 11-year-old grandson to school on time, his serious conversational voice piped up from the back seat.

“Grandma? I heard that some people in India – no that’s not right. Ireland? No not there either. Somewhere beginning with an “I” people are killing Christians! And holding other people as slaves.”

“You mean Iraq?”

“No but that’s close, I think.”

“Is the “I” word Islam?”

“That’s it. Islamic State, it’s called.”

“Where have you heard about this?” I tentatively asked, not knowing what kind of crash I was heading for – literal or emotional with this compassionate, sensitive kid.  

“On the news - at school from my friends.”

I gulped a bit, and double-checked that annoying blind spot before changing lanes.

“Well, Islam is another word for Muslim. Do you have Muslim friends?”

“Yes, “ he said softly. “I’d like to know what they’re talking about.”

Ah, a teachable moment. This Grandma relishes teachable moments and sometimes gives more information than was expected or wanted. But, as we were safely off the freeway, I rose to the occasion, first making it very clear that ISIS is a group of evil extremists, and not an example of true Muslims. From there we had an overview of history – beginning with familiar stories about Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Hagar and Ishmael. I threw in ideas such as – “There is only one God.” – Mentions about the Prophet Mohammed and of course Jesus, whom my 11-year-old Grand knows well. We talked about Muslims, Christians, and Jews having so much in common as People of the Book. But these were certainly not the people referring to themselves as the “Islamic State”. It was pretty succinct history lesson on a short ride, I thought. Hope it made sense to him.

As we arrived at school, he said with relief in his voice. “Thanks Grandma. That was really helpful. I think Ishmael and I can still be friends.”   

Then I realized the dilemma he was facing. It was pretty sobering to this Grandma. You see, he attends a dynamic public school in the heart of South Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some of the students are not only Muslim, but they are Sommali. Minneapolis has the largest Sommali population outside of Sommalia. Al Shabab and ISIS have been targeting propaganda and recruiting campaigns at young people in this community. I don’t know that this is what he’s hearing about on the playground. But it is sobering to think my “little prince”, age 11, is already learning about the hard, violent lessons of world history and their impact close to home.

The next lesson that reminded me to pay attention to the impact of history and challenges of living together came two days later while visiting my Mother. It was her 97^th birthday. We shared coffee and cake, and as happens with older people, it was easier to reminisce about decades past than what’s going on in her life, now. Her most memorable times are also associated with evil tyrants during WWII – including battles, intelligence briefings, strategies, personalities of Generals and other leaders. Since she’s the wife of a career Air Force Officer, there are many insider type stories from their conversations in her memory bank. (The 30-year secrecy restrictions have long passed.) Today, at 97, one of the frustrations she has developing friends at the nursing home is, “they don’t know my history.”

How important it is to be aware of and pay attention to the nuances of history that shapes our relationships – as a country, as a community and most of all as individuals.

NOTE TO SELF: How successfully we live together – whether 11 or 97 - is shaped by our knowledge and understanding of facts about people and events in history.