Calming the Waters or Facing the Consequences
My Humanities Moment came earlier this year as I watched the news reporting on North Korea's recent test launch of a ballistic missile coming on the heels of Iran shooting down a drone and possibly attacking oil fields and facilities in Saudi Arabia. Having spent twenty years in the military and ten more working for the ballistic missile defense agency I saw firsthand the importance of leadership and having an understanding of current events. Such events can be impacted by decisions made in the heat of the moment without having time to think about the factors under consideration. <br /><br />Studying history to understand previous events and thinking through alternative scenarios, as pointed out by Clausewitz in his book <em>On War</em> is the only way for military and top government personal to work through issues before the fact. The opportunities are limited, thankfully, but when they do come up, only by thinking ahead can the person be ready. <br /><br />Looking at the current events taking place I can see there is a likely opportunity for senior government leaders, military or civilian, to be in a fast moving environment where the wrong decision could lead to a catasrophe and I am wondering about how much time they have spent preparing for the moment and if our high school history programs put enough emphasis on developing decision processes in our students. If not, what can I do in my classroom to encourage students to develop their decision making process and how they can practice it in the classroom while doing their assignments?
Paul Haynes, history teacher, Navy veteran, and former government employee, 59
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Global Education Beyond the Classroom: Engaging the World through Scholarship
For many years, I have challenged myself to advocate for global education and international studies across the world. I have read many books, travelled on my own, and engaged with other people about culture, traditions, and politics. I have formed relationships that connect people across a host of competing ideologies, religion, and beliefs that sometimes conflicted with my own thoughts. However, these contradictions challenged and inspired me to keep pursuing research and unlock such contradictions by participating in a host of scholarship competitions around the world. I have competed with thousands of scholars and researchers to earn opportunities for scholarships and funded programs. I am on a global quest to visit 10 countries and gain a variety of my own Humanities Moments. I have been face-to-face with a WWII Japanese soldier who believed his mission was his destiny, visited North Korea clandestinely to understand how the South felt about the war, learned about the travails of a Filipino family because of the influence of the Spanish conquest on their culture, seen the desperate experiences of the Bantu folks in Soweto in post-Apartheid who still struggle to find their identity and culture, and seen the eyes of our students when they sit among others in an International Competition during the World Animation Championship for Children in Greece. Each of these events triggered my Humanities Moments and will always continue to inspire and challenge me to also keep mentoring our students to do the same.
Travel through the Fulbright Program, the South Korea Foundation, the Rotary Foundation, the European Union, the Toyota of North America Foundation, and the Institute of International Education
1986-2021
Dr. Conrad Ulpindo
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The Day the Star-Spangled Banner Played at Buckingham Palace
On September 13, 2001, the royal orchestra played the American national anthem during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. This was two days after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers when many first responders and innocent bystanders lost their lives in the attack.
I watched this after a day of hearing stories about people I knew, from less emotional stories like the ones of my parents to the personal stories of those who lost loved ones. Both of my parents were working that day and rushed home when they found out, which they still remember, but they didn’t know anyone personally. But it is the stories of those who were there, or who actually knew people there at the time that really affect you. My psychology teacher, when prompted, told the story of a close family friend who had flown to New York for a business trip, only to lose his life during a meeting in one of the towers.
When I got home, I was already primed with the sadness of those involved and feelings of pride for my country and humanity in general, when I got home and as usual, checked my phone. I saw an Instagram story posted by a close friend of mine shortly after opening the app and heard the national anthem being played by a band. Only after reading the caption did I realize why this was so significant. The caption at the top of the video informed me that this was during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and that the Queen had asked the royal band to play this instead of the usual marching music the guards play. After learning this, I noticed how many American flags were being waved, and how many tears were being shed. This was an experience I’ll likely remember forever.
This affected me in multiple ways. The first of course is the pride for my country I felt. I wasn’t alive then, but I do know my history, and the time following 9/11 was one of the most unified times in history. There were people on opposite sides of the aisle working together, neighbors mourning with one another, and a strong sense of pride that the fourth plane was stopped by the brave Americans in it.
The other way it affected me, was the fact that this was happening in London. This in itself means a few things, the first is that the USA is a symbol of freedom. In Hong Kong during the recent protests, there were many American flags waved by those who were protesting for their freedom, and there are other examples of the United States being a symbol, but for now, I’ll tell you the other reason this is significant.
It also reminded me that we are all human, and go through a lot of the same trials as others. While I’m sure some of the people waving flags were American, I’m also certain that most of the people in that crowd weren’t from the states, and that most of the civilized world mourned during that time. There were many lives lost in the attacks and many people mourned for those they didn’t even know.
This tells me that humanity always has hope, but sometimes we need to be reminded that we are actually one people regardless of race, religion, or any other distinguishing factor. That’s part of what makes this country great, how it’s a melting pot of different cultures, and everyone who lives here can achieve their dreams with hard work. This tells me that we always have hope.
September 11, 2019
Spencer Taylor, 18, Student
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