History in the Making: What Do Children See?
Today is tomorrow’s history. What do our children see in the present that will make for an interesting history lesson thirty or fifty years from now? These are times of relative peace among powerful nations. While there seems to be global cooperation and unity, every nation is out to protect itself against outside forces. Hence, even the strongest of allies can become the worst enemies if circumstances so require. Take the case of the disputed waters of the South China Sea. Most countries claiming maritime ownership of certain parts of this important body of water are all “friends” or in good rapport with each other. China and the Philippines are good examples. But China’s loyalty is not toward any friendship with the Philippines or other nations. Of course, China will protect itself and assert itself the best way China knows how. Children see this today. Certainly, the future will see this too. Children see the war waged by the Americans in the Middle East and the ideology that push men and women to pick up arms for the Motherland. Too, they see in the news the trouble in places like Syria. They may not fully comprehend the whys and hows of our current news, but they see the destruction and suffering that have rendered a nation hopeless. Children see diversity and inequality in many places. They see addiction, abuse, and mental disorder all around. They see how enslaved we’ve become to social media and how the world has gotten smaller thanks to technology. Children hear about global warming and greed and corruption. All these things that make our headlines today will flash back on their minds in the future, when today is finally history. Hopefully, we haven’t raised our children to be complete cynics so that they will see that, in spite of ourselves, the world is still a wonderful place; that there are people who cherish the simple, minimal life; that kindness is still a treasure. Hopefully, they will remember the little simple acts of goodness they see in some people. Sometimes we talk about the future like it’s a far-off point, a light year away perhaps. We forget that history is in the making. Everything we do and say will affect the future—the second or so after. Read the full article
