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Jan. 16th, 2012
Sean waited to rise until it was nearly time for me to head out to the office. We discussed what day it was and why he had it off from school. The more complicated matter of why I was working, we just tabled.
He's five and I'm not sure how much of MLK they cover in schools. By Jakob's third grade class last year there was quite a bit to discuss. He came back believing terrorists had killed King because he wanted to vote. Straightening out the tale from there took some effort, so I thought with Sean, I'd start early.
I'm not sure any of it sank in but I could tell he was happy to be in my lap. Partially due to James and partially due to his own development, Sean no longer plants himself in my lap. But if I read him a story or when I'm explaining someone who died before I was even born and why he is important to our lives, Sean listens and leans against me. For all I know, he's thinking about Legos or koalas.
If anything I've learned as a parent so far it is that you should start talking about these things before you think you should talk about them. They grow up faster than you realize. I remember a number of conversations with my mother from when I was Sean's age. Time has certainly shaped them, but I remember her talking about hearing Dr. King and RFK speak. The only political candidate for president I've ever heard in person is Alan Keyes, and while we do not share much in common, he did have the decency to come to Humboldt and speak there.
But I digress. I hope it means something to Sean. I hope he understands how important it is to fight for justice with harming innocent people. I hope he never becomes convinced there is an acceptable level of collateral damage to any cause. But only time will tell.
He's five and I'm not sure how much of MLK they cover in schools. By Jakob's third grade class last year there was quite a bit to discuss. He came back believing terrorists had killed King because he wanted to vote. Straightening out the tale from there took some effort, so I thought with Sean, I'd start early.
I'm not sure any of it sank in but I could tell he was happy to be in my lap. Partially due to James and partially due to his own development, Sean no longer plants himself in my lap. But if I read him a story or when I'm explaining someone who died before I was even born and why he is important to our lives, Sean listens and leans against me. For all I know, he's thinking about Legos or koalas.
If anything I've learned as a parent so far it is that you should start talking about these things before you think you should talk about them. They grow up faster than you realize. I remember a number of conversations with my mother from when I was Sean's age. Time has certainly shaped them, but I remember her talking about hearing Dr. King and RFK speak. The only political candidate for president I've ever heard in person is Alan Keyes, and while we do not share much in common, he did have the decency to come to Humboldt and speak there.
But I digress. I hope it means something to Sean. I hope he understands how important it is to fight for justice with harming innocent people. I hope he never becomes convinced there is an acceptable level of collateral damage to any cause. But only time will tell.