Reflection 3: Just and Unjust Wars

 



“Everyone's a pacifist between wars. It's like being a vegetarian between meals” - Colman McCarthy


Reflecting on why wars happen has changed how I see conflict and strengthened my belief in pacifism. Throughout history, powerful countries have twisted stories to justify their actions, claiming war is necessary to protect against threats or injustices. This has made me think deeply about the moral issues involved in war and how we often misunderstand it. The reasons for going to war can change based on the political and social situation, and what seems justified in one time can be seen as wrong in another. Powerful nations often claim they are helping or liberating people, but this can hide their real goals, which may include taking resources or expanding their influence.


This understanding has made me more committed to pacifism and aware of the terrible human costs of war. While some believe that war can lead to positive change, I think about the communities destroyed and the lives affected by violence. Realizing that context changes how we see right and wrong has shown me the importance of empathy and critical thinking. It encourages me to question dominant stories and listen to those who are often ignored. My journey toward pacifism is about finding peaceful solutions and promoting understanding instead of conflict. I want to be a voice for peace, challenging reasons given for war and standing up for vulnerable people, hoping for a future where kindness and humanity are more important than power.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Refection 4 : What is best for the child

Image
  What is best for the child ? That is a question we as teachers all think we know coming out of university. Little did we know that our very first teaching experience will humble us. Education is not a linear process , although many a times we find our selves referring back to standards that need to be met , we have to ask ourselves is that really what is best for the child? Truth is every decision we make is based on our experiences, trauma and life lesson. Children today do not have the same challenges as we once had and for that reason we as educators have to adapt to catering for what is truly best for the child by providing ways and means for children to feel a sense of belonging and that they are valued beyond the point of where children feel their self worth is based on academic results. Reflecting on what is best for the child , we have to look at the context and the personality of the child not our own experiences 
Read more

Reflection 5 : Adaptive Leadership

Image
  As teachers, we often encounter gray areas when assisting our students, extending our care beyond the walls of the classroom. Our professionalism is guided by a code of conduct that provides us with boundaries for protection, but not all situations are set in stone. Relying solely on a technical approach can negatively impact our relationships with students. While technical approaches should serve as guidelines for various scenarios, we must be adaptable to effectively support our students. Being adaptive is crucial for educators, as we are expected to make hundreds of decisions daily, each influenced by a variety of factors. Best practice involves a transparent and flexible approach that allows us to meet the unique needs of each student.
Read more

Reflection 7: Response Choices

Image
  Often we insert comments into students reports stating that he/she “ has the potential to improve” but what does that actually tell us. Looking at how students make their decisions I have learnt that it’s a combination of efforts that can lead to a student’s reaching their full potential, we have those who are willing and able, willing but not able, able but not willing, not willing but able, neither willing or able. We encourage students for vast majority of the day but in doing so are we encouraging the good choices in students achieving their goals or are we weaponizing result based outcome. Although attitudes towards school work is what shapes the learning experience for the student, it is important for students to realize that there is a short- and long-term consequence to falling in the “not willing nor able” to wanting to learning
Read more