When playground politics reflects on world stage
My son attends an international school here in Qatar. One day he was invited to attend a birthday party for one of his classmates. I asked him who else would be attending and he listed all the other European children going. I was a bit surprised, because half the class is comprised of Arab students.
I asked him why they wouldn't be attending and he said "The Arabs and European kids hate each other". They were all in grade 4. My son stated he was neutral and played with both groups, but he was one of the few students who could.
My son is a mixed race Canadian child who is half Arab. This has worked to his benefit in being able to be friends with all children.
As was assured by one Qatari student once "I protect you and let us play with you not because we count you as an Arab but because you're Muslim".
Interesting, indeed.
Fast forward to the following year and my son mentions he is visiting many of his Arab friends after school. I ask him about some of the other lovely friends he used to have and he said "I still really like them, but my Arab friends really don't like them... so I kinda can't hangout with them anymore".
Considering what is happening in the backdrop of the world stage and the recent Qatar blockade, I found this rather intriguing.
Almost weekly, the two groups of children apparently want to get into brawls on the playground and have to be split up by the other students (remember: they are in Grade 5!).
It was disappointing to hear.
The world is small, and whether people like it or not, you have to share it with your fellow many. Yes, we love what's familiar, but we can't live always repelling what's different.
It creates chaos.
From playgrounds to international politics, the desire to constantly support your similar peers and fight those who are different from you creates a downward spiral.
I was shocked to see this behavior in children. I expected more from them than from adults.
It's amazing how this is ingrained at a young age. I know many of these European moms personally and a lot of Arab moms too. They are all wonderful people with mixed groups of friends.
Regardless, divisions amongst people based on differences happen at a very young age, so it would seem.
Cover Photo for illustration by Shanavas.
