Last week my child’s school made the international news. It was Book Week in Australia, and kids were encouraged to dress up as their favorite book character. One boy asked his teacher’s advance permission for his costume, and it was granted. He didn’t dress up as Harry Potter or Peeta, no, he chose Hitler. The PR firm that was hired and the Principal assure everyone it was an “innocent mistake.” Unfortunately, I strongly disagree.
Yes, he asked permission and got it. It’s what happened next that makes me most concerned.
He came to school dressed as Hitler. Yes, that Hitler. (I’ve been assured that he didn’t wear a swastika, but to me, that doesn’t make it better or remotely acceptable.)
Astonishingly, this boy went to his tutor group dressed in his Hitler costume (for those of you in the USA, that’s homeroom). He then went to a school assembly, participated in the costume parade and was awarded one of the best costumes of the day. Not one teacher or administrator spoke up, stopped him, asked him to change or leave school. Oh, but there were visiting Jewish students in the assembly audience and the damage control started.
The Principal apologized to the visiting Jewish students and their school administration, and they graciously accepted.
What? He personally apologized to the visiting Jews, they accepted, so all’s good?
What about the Jews in the school student body? What about the LGBTQ students? The Black and Indigenous students? Jehovah Witnesses? Gypsies? Christian Pastors? The disabled? People of Polish descent? Slavic descent?
What about all the others who were disgusted yet didn’t stand out as personal apology worthy?
Hitler killed all of them and many more.
Would it even have been an issue for the school at all if it were not for those five visiting students?
I understand that the Holocaust was a long, long time ago but we, as a global community, can never forget. When Hitler and his atrocities become nothing but a thing of the past and have a place in a school costume contest, we lose the lessons that help us stand up against genocides and ethnic cleansing today.
No doubt, this generation and likely many of their teachers are far removed from the crimes against humanity committed by Hitler and the Nazis. However, it’s up to each one of us to not let the past be forgotten and always remember the lives that were lost at his command and the lives that were lost in the fight to stop him.
It’s my hope that this deplorable costume creates an opportunity for the school community to learn and transform. The first step, beyond the apology, is to educate the students and faculty on the Holocaust. To date, they are “putting in clear procedures” to ensure it can never happen again. They are also continuing the conversation with senior staff on how they will move forward. I’m listening and looking forward to next steps – the conversation can’t end here. It must not.
[Tweet “Policy alone doesn’t create lasting change – education does.”]
Moreover, what made a kid think that wearing a Hitler costume was acceptable? Big fan of Mein Kampf? According to the press release, he had an interest in history and politics. Seriously? That’s nothing short of ridiculous. Maybe he likes Hitler’s ideology; maybe he doesn’t. Maybe he just wanted to do something controversial, and he’s a good kid. I have no idea which one it is.
I’m optimistic that the Principal and his leadership team are taking full responsibility to get to the bottom of the student’s motivations. Leadership requires transparency and good or bad, their findings should be communicated to the school community.
In a recent email exchange, the Principal unequivocally apologized and offered his personal reassurance that neither he nor the school are supporters of a white supremacy ideology. That’s great, but the opportunity is in front of us – now is the time for change.
I know that the school wants to let this Hitler costume fiasco die. They’re ready to be out of the press and move on. So am I – but forgetting about it isn’t moving forward.
What will it take?
Education.
The place to start is with open discussion and commitment to ensuring that this part of our collective memory doesn’t ever fade away. To me, it’s not awesome leadership to apologize – it’s necessary. True leadership creates change and makes things right. I’d like to believe that the school would echo that sentiment.
I feel terrible publicly criticizing my child’s school. It’s a place where my child has been happy, and we’ve been happy with their education to date. However, I can’t let this one go.
I’m flabbergasted and saddened that on social media and in the local community people are wondering if we’ve all become too politically correct. When it comes to a Hitler costume at school? This has nothing to do with being politically correct – Hitler is responsible for the deaths of over 11 million people including six million Jews.
The world is watching. A series of poor choices can become something uplifting and newsworthy. In the days to come, we’ll see what they choose. I’m hopeful that good will come from this event.
If an incident like this doesn’t spark change, what will?
If you want to be a part of the conversation, I’d love to engage with you. If you want to share your hate and support for Hitler, this is not the right forum.
Alli – I am so glad you are taking a stand on this! You are so right – forgetting about it isn’t moving forward it is dooming our future to repeat our past!
Thanks so much, Chery. Truly appreciate your wisdom and support.
~ Alli
I understand your anger and frustration, Alli. A school can absolutely do the right thing and introduce information in age appropriate ways. In our town, we have a Holocaust curriculum which is followed by Holocaust survivor speakers.
Just begin the dialogue with the kids and their parents.
Thanks for sharing and speaking out Alli! I definitely will share.
It’s impressive that you have a Holocaust curriculum locally. We did not have that where I grew up or where I lived in the USA as an adult.
So far, they’re “giving it a think” about what they can do. I’m still hopeful but timeliness matters too.
Thanks, Terri!
Your voice Alli along with all of us in this world can effect a change. I agree with you that allowing it and then saying “sorry” is wrong. It is also a specious act of low integrity by the administration.
As we speak out, we can make sure that people don’t forget, learn, and never let it happen again.
Best,
Kate
It truly is when voices join together things begin to change. There always has to be a first voice… For every message we exchange with the Principal, we’re sending a reply. If we stop the conversation, they may think it’s over. Truly, the opportunity for change is just beginning.
Thanks, Kate.
Alli
Sorry to hear this actually happened and for the lack of thoughtful, compassionate and moral insight to decide to do the right thing. Thanks for your example in standing up for the right things for the right reasons.
You put it well, Roy – lack of thoughtful, compassionate and moral insight. What the press releases stressed is that it’s a busy school, the teacher feels terrible, the boy likes history and politics. I’m not sure that the full impact is understood and that in turn, an appropriate (actionable) response is in the works. We’ll see. Thanks for your support!
Alli
Alli,
It is difficult to believe that this happened. At times it seems people have lost their ability to think and act clearly. Education needs to return to inspire and engage citizens in better ways.
Jon
Well said, Jon. In fact, in one of our email exchanges with the Principal, we encouraged him to take action through education of staff and students to help make them better citizens of the world. Hopeful.
~ Alli
Alli,
Wow. It would be great to think that this was a mistake or just a kid being a kid. Unfortunately I fully believe that in many countries, including the US hate is becoming acceptable. Here I call it the Trump effect. I was at a McDonald recently where a man refused to receive his meal from a worker because she was Hispanic. Right in front of all the people there including my 12 year old he said “I will only take food from an American. ” They got someone else to give to him. I asked the Manager if she felt that was the way to handle the situation and she wasn’t sure. I told her I would have given him his money back and asked him though leave. Accepting this behavior is unacceptable but I see it and hear it more and more. The Trump campaign is empowering hate.
This thread 13th election where I have been eligible to vote. I don’t in the previous 12 I said two words about my preference. This year I tweet almost daily. We can not allow to win the day. To me that’s more of a threat than any outside country.
Sorry for the long response. Great post.
Tom
The McDonalds story is heartbreaking. That anyone would treat another human being that way – as if they’re not worthy of serving them food… I’m sure the Manager wishes that she made another choice but she also protected her employee the best she could.
I hear you on this year’s election too. Fear and hate may get people into action but it’s all me and no we.
The final link in this post is to an op-ed piece from another part of my state. The person who wrote it thinks we all basically need to chill out about it…. kids will be kids. Unbelievable. The truth is hate breeds hate. As soon as we accept this costume and your McDonalds guy as okay or simply look the other way we let hate lead the day. No way.
Thank you for your thoughtful response here and true-life example.
~ Alli
Hi Alli,
As I read your article, I experienced anger, frustration and sadness. How could that have happened? It’s beyond me! I am sorry you had to be involved in a school incident of this caliber. I understand your dismay, frustration and concern.
The reality is that ignorance and hate are in the fabric of our world. Only by pulling out one ugly thread at a time can the fabric be transformed into a pure and beautiful cloth.
Without this costume incident, the child and other children could have grown into adulthood with ignorance that went unchecked. Now, however, an ugly thread has been pulled out of the fabric. And that is a very good thing. Transformation is set to begin with education, not only in your child’s school but within the community and beyond.
Posts like yours contribute to the transformational initiatives required to eradicate hate. Thanks Alli.
Terri
What a beautiful metaphor, Terri. Since this happened, every day when my child comes home from school I ask, “Did they say anything? Have they talked to the students?” Every day the answer is the same, “No.” I’m all for transformational initiatives and for now, I’m waiting for one to begin. Actually, not waiting… urging, asking and encouraging. It’s in their hands, I’m optimistic they too are going to do what it takes to fully remove the thread from the beautiful cloth…
Thank you, Terri!
Alli, Keep me posted as to what happens. It’s hard for me to believe that a teachable moment won’t be taken advantage of. To that end, I am sending my optimistic energy forward into the universe.
Tom Rhodes’ story of his family’s experience at McDonalds is, as he notes, becoming the accepted norm – here in the US at least. While the incredible frequency of such incidents may seem to be politically encouraged, I honestly believe it has always been there; only the brazen public displays have increased.
I know of towns that for 25+ years after WWII had no Jewish residents and no minority residents – because of the actions of the wealthy town elders. When I lead the summer book reading program, I and the university president received death threats because the book chosen dealt with Armenian genocide. Lots of personal examples…
No, the blame, for me, goes back to the families that, in far more instances than most of us believe, indoctrinate their children with their particular family preducices – rather than expose and introduce them to the beautiful opportunities associated with the diversity of cultures. Only making it worse, many of them ‘justify’ these actions through their religion…
I’m not sure what if anything can bring this to a quick change. I’ve sometimes wondered if a universal preschool requirement would help children begin to understand the wrongs promoted by their elders. But that would work only if ‘private’ preschooling were banned; and US sentiment seems to be swinging toward private options…
That student should never have thought the Hitler costume was acceptable. Sadly, it would appear that he got lots of (at least passive) support to move ahead wearing it… Thanks for pushing to keep the issue visible!!! I do believe your thinking has majority support; but you’d never know it..
John,
I think may well be right that it has been hear for a long time, I live in the South, it just seems as if this election has cracked open Pandora box enough where people are acting more than thinking. Hopefully it will not continue to grow and we will stand together against hate.
Tom
We HAVE to stand up to the hate and help families to be more responsible in helping their children be more sensitive to the incredible cultural diversity of this world!!!
Death threats. I’m so sorry that you had to experience that when your only desire was to expose students to the reality of the Armenian genocide.
I think my husband said it well when he told me that these kids probably don’t know a lot about Hitler and his ideology because the school is not teaching it. But you know who has kept it alive? White supremacist groups.
Also, with you on the role families play. In this case, his parent was aware and they too must have thought it was okay. In fact, other parents knew in advance because the kid’s friends went home and told them. Makes me concerned not only about the community I live in but the world we all live in.
We all need to stand against hate – not vote someone best dressed for emulating a person that they likely know very, very little about.
Thank you for adding so much to this important conversation.
~ Alli
Of course that she should be ‘led’ rather than ‘lead’ …
Hey Alli,
I had to go back and read this again, and I am beside myself! I’m still struggling with the fact that “kids were encouraged to dress up as their favorite book character” and this child ‘chose’ Hitler. Really? What book could possibly make this the child’s choice? And to ask permission from a teacher and be granted the ok to do so?? At that point, before this EVER became at issue, shouldn’t the teacher have sat the child down and talked to him? Explain and educate this child on real history? Find out why the child believes this to be his favorite character?
My heart aches. There are so many places where this situation could have been changed and used to educate and enlighten children (and everyone).
So very sad!
T–
Terri –
When I first read the articles that were coming out fast and furious about this indecent around the world I was speechless (probably because I was fuming). I read one after another hoping for something to contradict what transpired… I didn’t find it.
His parents, teacher, a friend – anyone could have talked to him (and they all should have!). After the fact is not the right time to get to the truth.
No plans have been released to address this further with the student body or educate them but I’m going to follow up because this matters not only to me but should matter to all of us.
~ Alli
Please do keep us updated. I’m hoping honest discussion leads to appropriate changes…
I also hope even more that mire parents wake up to their responsibilities to their children.
Me too, John!
Loved the post Alli.
Best,
Advait
Many thanks, Advait. Appreciate your support.
~ Alli
Alli, I love your quote about change being about education not policy. Something that I couldn’t see in your post was who had given the child permission and how were they being addressed?
Stephan,
Thanks for your comment! They asked a respected teacher for permission. In the school’s email, they sent out to parents they said she was broken up about it (after this blow up) and really upset. They are working to support her through this hard time. Interesting, no?
~ Alli
Hi Alli
Sometimes it seems to me like schools exist in a cultural and social void. Issues about, say gendered violence or sexual exploitation of minors by minors, marriage equality and the treatment of refugees are all over my social networks and the online media, and yet the school my kids go to continues to pedal in old and tired tropes around race, gender, sexuality and nationalism… I was horrified by this story when I read it, but I am not surprised the school has gone into a damage control mode and doesn’t seem to be able to engage in a thoughtful self-critique or reflective process that involves students, staff, parents and the broader community. It’s strange that our society is built around the idea that ‘sorry’ is the end to a matter rather than the beginning of a conversation.
More critical discourse about schools within schools is desperately needed in my opinion, and that needs to include open communication and reflective practices. Good luck with your school, and let us know how it progresses.
Penni –
In a single sentence, you’ve gotten to the heart of my frustration – sorry isn’t the end… it’s the beginning of what happens next.
You’re spot on with your observations about school too. I grew up in the USA and this is an Australian High School so I’m not sure about the cultural differences. One thing I am sure about is that this is 100% unacceptable and that conversations need to happen with parents, teachers and students. Policy may be enough to stop someone else from wearing a similar costume but it’s not enough to change thinking. Schools should be creating world citizens who are thoughtful, aware and accepting of diversity. I’m sure some do but this example is an unfortunate failure of the system.
Not sure what will come of it but I care enough to ask… and ask… and ask. So far, nothing beyond sorry.
~ Alli
Hi, Alli
As I noted in my Twitter post shortly after you published this post, I’ve been musing on what to say in response to such a powerful post. In part, I was also managing my anger at the stupidity and thoughtlessness of so-called educationists, the child and his parents.
You could not make this story up, and yet the school staff blithely hope the controversy will blow over. The truth is that none of us should ever forget the horror of man’s inhumanity to man, whether it be Hitler, Pol Pot, or some other tyrant abusing power and destroying lives, communities and cultures.
I am proud of you for taking this stand, and I support you fully in your actions. I trust the powerful lesson you are demonstrating resonates with the school, though I fear from what I have read that this is a forlorn hope!
Sorry should have been the first stage of their response, not the last, ‘sweep it under carpet’ action! As educators, they clearly have much to learn, let alone teach children and young people.
As for the young person and his parents, they need to seriously question what went on here, rather than pass it off as an innocent mistake, and do something about that!
It is a sad indictment of our society that people have such short memories. It is also disgraceful that the automatic response to the controversy is damage limitation, not honest and open reflection, authenticity, ownership, and proper remedy.
I am thankful my friend that you see it differently! I wish more power to your commitment and a positive outcome.
~ John
Well written Alli, and SO RIGHT ON. They need to start things with this incident…not end them and brush them under the rug. Teach the students about the Holocaust and Hitlers’ atrocities.
Thanks, Jessie. Unfortunately, it appears that sorry was both the beginning and end of the conversation. Still following up but not hopeful.
~ Alli