The Poppy Conflict
S, my eldest Daughter, has been going to School here in the U.K. starting this semester, She proudly answers the Children with “I’m form Iraq” whenever they ask her where she comes from.
I and my Wife have always tried to Shield the Girls from any information regarding what’s happening in Iraq, though the have some vague Idea the American Army is in Iraq and they used to hear the shootings in the streets, explosions…etc. we cocooned them into a different World, a World of Home tutoring (After it became to dangerous for the girls to go to there school) and the Disney Channel. Once there was heavy fighting nearby and S asked why are there Shooting, my Wife explained that there are some bad people that the Police are chasing. End of Subject.
That was about it, they knew that there were American Soldiers, and they knew that there are explosions that bad people did, but that was it.
That was about two years ago.
Yesterday morning when S & here sister went to school and during the School daily Assembly the Head teacher brought out a Large blank map of the World with two green countries coloured in Green. Iraq and Afghanistan, my Daughter was delighted that the Word Iraq was mentioned, however when the head teacher started explaining about the Royal British Legion Appeal, which is held each year and how people should help out by contributing some money because British troops have lost lives and limbs in these two countries, things changed.
To cut the story short.
I now have a confused young girl, who’s ashamed of her nationality and never knew that there were British Troops fighting in Iraq.
I won’t comment on this subject any further.
I don’t blame the Teacher.
I and my Wife have always tried to Shield the Girls from any information regarding what’s happening in Iraq, though the have some vague Idea the American Army is in Iraq and they used to hear the shootings in the streets, explosions…etc. we cocooned them into a different World, a World of Home tutoring (After it became to dangerous for the girls to go to there school) and the Disney Channel. Once there was heavy fighting nearby and S asked why are there Shooting, my Wife explained that there are some bad people that the Police are chasing. End of Subject.
That was about it, they knew that there were American Soldiers, and they knew that there are explosions that bad people did, but that was it.
That was about two years ago.
Yesterday morning when S & here sister went to school and during the School daily Assembly the Head teacher brought out a Large blank map of the World with two green countries coloured in Green. Iraq and Afghanistan, my Daughter was delighted that the Word Iraq was mentioned, however when the head teacher started explaining about the Royal British Legion Appeal, which is held each year and how people should help out by contributing some money because British troops have lost lives and limbs in these two countries, things changed.
To cut the story short.
I now have a confused young girl, who’s ashamed of her nationality and never knew that there were British Troops fighting in Iraq.
I won’t comment on this subject any further.
I don’t blame the Teacher.
14 comments:
There's also a white poppy campaign.
Never should children feel ashamed of who they are or where they come from. I am so sad to read this. She should know some of what is going on in the world, afterall she is our future.
You can only shelter children for so long, but she should know the truth from you now that she is aware.
But yet, sometimes ignorance is really bliss.
What is needed is a legitimate
objective book on Iraqi History
divided into segments according
to the government in place ...
Perhaps one titled
"The History of Iraq Post" say 1940
can be written covering
World War 2 until the current times
Actually the Iraqi people as a whole have held
up amazingly well during the last
4 years.
I believe Time Magazine should
give its "Person of the year"
award to The Iraqi People as a whole.
Very few people in Iraq
should be ashamed of anything ...
in fact they should be proud
on how they endured throughout
History ... The next few years
are critical ... Iraq should emerge
quite strong and prosperous
I think you should have started explaining the situation sooner. But there is nothing at all to be ashamed of about being from Iraq. We were not ashamed of being British when the IRA terror campaign was running. Most countries have had periods of bad government, violence or conflict. ______I think one could say that the attacks on British troops around Basra were largely driven by Iranian interests. When they first arrived, they were welcomed. After all, most people in Souther Iraq were very glad to see the end of Saddam. Iraq and Britain should be friendly toward each other.
Anyway, so far as I can discover, the UK troops in Iraq are not doing any fighting now, they are just training Iraqi forces. And the school might be interested to know about the water pipes in Basra. Link here.
That would be a shame. You should comment further. Are you mad embarrassed, for you or the child?
I am sure that there are plenty of people in your same situation, and there are plenty of us out here that maybe don't get it, and would like to read your experience raising children in the devil's den.
I think it's necessary that you comment and explain what is happening.. The poppy appeal is a little gesture of appreciation for what soldiers are doing.. essentially, they're trying to catch the baddies, right?
Regards
Why not tell your daughter about the bravery of the Iraqi people? Why don't you tell her about the men and women stepping forward everyday to try to build a better future? Why not tell her about your first democratic vote? And how the Iraqi people walked miles and defied threats of violence for a chance to cast a ballot? Here in the United States, we have a lower voter turn out if it rains. These are the stories that you should tell your daughter with pride.
TaSS
Freedom
“We are free to be free
To make our own destiny
To shine like the sun
To become one
To hide under the moon
Under in the gloom
To run with the deer
To make worry disappear
To listen and to hear
To love and to fear
To make our minds be clear
To laugh and to cheer
To travel and to steer
In the path we have chosen
To be hot or cold or even frozen
We are free to be free
To make our own destiny
And to look back from the finish line
And to shout with joy and not to whine.”
(By Daniel Hooks)
Abraços...
Nogueira Jr
http://nogueirajr.blogspot.com
Zappy, maybe you should explain exactly what has happened in Iraq, how and why. She will find out sooner or later anyway, and better she hears it from you. Mabrouk on caring so well for your kids.
When she grows up, your daughter will understand and realize who the ones who should have been ashamed of themselves are.
Regards.
"When she grows up, your daughter will understand and realize who the ones who should have been ashamed of themselves are."
She will? How? Are YOU, an adult, even sure who it is that should be ashamed of themselves?
Touching observation. Thanks.
I liked it.
Bathmate
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