There, I finally met all the people who had
supported me through five years of my undergraduate degree. At our table sat
many friends, all with different religious beliefs. A born-again Christian, Jehovah's Witness,
Muslim, and Catholic and yet we had never talked about our beliefs before. I did
wonder why that was? But I realised our passion for 'Education' united us and had created this friendship.
When I returned to live in Australia, I
called two of my uni friends. One, Helen from Sydney became one of
my best friends. Every school holidays, Helen and I met for lunch. Sometimes she
would bring her colleagues, sometimes it was just the two of us. At one point,
Helen and I were speaking nearly everyday. She was my rock.
One day in the September holidays, we met at the Hilton for lunch,
just the two of us. My husband called me and asked if we were still there. He
was picking me up and told me it would be good if we finished up soon and he
asked if Helen was ok. I didn’t quite understand what he was saying. When my
family met us outside the hotel, they met Helen for the first time. Andrew went to
shake her hand but she didn't respond. Andrew thought nothing of it
since we’d lived and travelled throughout the world and understood that cultures vary. He
asked if she was ok to get home and she said she was fine and set off toward
the train station. When she left, I asked Andrew “What did you mean?” As we
turned the corner I witnessed it for myself. The Muslim protests were happening
in Sydney.
I was worried…what if someone took his or
her anger out on Helen. I shared my concern with Andrew. So we messaged Helen
to learn if she was safe. She texted - please explain to Andrew that she was
sorry… sorry she couldn’t shake his hand, the hand of a male. I was still
worried about her on the train, especially after walking around the streets
where people were loudly sharing their beliefs. The tension was evident and I was
concerned. When I got home, I texted Helen to make sure she was home safe. She
hadn’t realised what had happened until she arrived home and watched the
news.
Today, my husband was in lockdown in a
building a block away from the Martin Street Siege. When he arrived home
tonight, I mentioned what was happening on the news and on Twitter #illridewithyou. We talked about how scared I was for Helen
over two years ago and how worried I was that people would take their anger out
on anyone who resembled the religion of Islam.
Last year, Helen and her students helped my
students learn about Islam as part of our unit on 'People and their beliefs'. The hijab was probably something that my students
were most interested in. One of my goals as an educator is to help my students learn about various beliefs, religions and cultures. As global citizens, I hope they develop an understanding and empathy for all. I am proud that my children and students live in a generation where people have a better understanding of various beliefs and cultures. I respect Helen's beliefs and treasure her friendship. The people of Sydney and Australia showed their support and solidarity and #illridewithyou reflected this when it trended on Twitter.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-15/illridewithyou-hashtag-takes-off-following-siege/5969102
Our prayers, thoughts and hearts go out to the those and the families involved in the Sydney siege.
I think how you initially met, connected by your passion for education, is what we should be about. Talking "blind", unburdened by preconceived images or ideas meant that you could focus on what you had in common, rather than what may have been different. We waste so much time focusing on "different" rather than celebrating "connection". I wish more people could meet like this, or at least, open themselves up to being vulnerable in meeting like this, what a difference that would make. A great read, and pertinent lesson.
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