Thinking about Peace

Friday was the United Nations International Peace Day. It was also the first time, in at least 17 years, that the school sent its students home early in response to the threat of a potential protest at the Embassy. I was in the middle of parent conferences when I saw an Embassy employee rush out of the room and, moments later, received a text from Amie that she was going across the street to get Lucy after she got word that they were shutting down the US Embassy. Within a couple hours all students were sent home during a controlled release and we went home as well, waiting to see what would happen in the streets around the Embassy and school. Thankfully, nothing materialized. That said, it certainly gave us a chance to practice such protocols and also gave us some things to think about. The growing resistance to the film and other unrest within the Muslim world has seemed distant from our little bubble here in Delhi, despite our close proximity to the Middle East. That changed on Friday, and although the events that unfolded proved to be nothing out of the ordinary, it certainly makes us think.

The monsoon is over, which means beautiful weather will surround us for the next six weeks or so. We spent a lot of time outside this weekend enjoying the sunshine. This afternoon we ventured over to Gandhi Smriti, the home where Gandhi lived for the final 144 days of his life, and also the site where he was assassinated. Amie and I have been meaning to go here for a while, having twice been turned away because it was closed. Today we had no trouble getting in and we were both very moved by the visit.

We have always been the type of parents that try to give honest answers to Lucy's many, many questions. Living in a place such as India has certainly given us pause from time to time about this parenting choice. It is not always easy to give the honest answer to questions about subjects such as beggars, children defecating on the sidewalk, dead dogs in a market, etc, etc. Most of the time, we try, so when Lucy immediately started asking questions about Gandhi's life and assassination, we did our best to give her sincere responses. We talked about how Gandhi loved everyone and was always nice. We talked about how important he was for India. She was really interested in him and expressed true sadness when we told him he died. She actually said in the car ride home that she missed him and wanted to give him a hug. We also talked at length about how he was killed, and the questions just kept coming.

Tonight at dinner she brought up the conversation again and asked the same question again, "But why did someone shoot Gandhi?".

How can you answer that one?

Gandhi's birthday is a little over a week away, when all of India will take a day to remember its most beloved leader. I hope we can all be reminded of the many remarkable lessons Gandhi taught the world about love and peace, and in this time of unrest, try to see the so many more ways we are alike than different. 

Passing by the Salt March Statue on the way to Gandhi Smriti