As a World History teacher, the last month of school is always really rough. It is not that the students have schoolitis and are getting antsy for summer (although that is also true) it is because that is when we need to teach our students about the multiple genocides that have happened in the 20th and 21st centuries. It is really depressing... and essential to teach. To quote Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This quote hangs on my classroom wall. Teaching about these horrific events is the proof that I believe it.
As we teach this unit, we constantly reinforce the idea that although this topic is miserable, sad and uncomfortable, it is essential that our students learn about these man made tragedies. We stress that we are empowering them to be the generation that puts an end to them once and for all. They can not do that if they do not learn from history and are unable to spot the early warning signs of genocide.
Wow, that is only 2 paragraphs and about 1/100th of what we need to teach our students and it is already the most depressing post that I have ever written. But here is where it changes. I tell my students every year that the only way that I am able to continue to go on after having to teach about this senseless inhumanity is to follow Mr. Rogers advice and "look for the helpers". That is why we end every lesson about a different genocide with stories of heroes who stood up and did the right thing. I tell my students, "What keeps me going is that for every monster who commits these atrocities, there is a hero who does what they can to help those in peril".
One heroic story that really clicks with them is Hotel Rwanda. The 2004 movie starring Don Cheadle as real life hero Paul Rusesabagina helps students understand the facts of what happened as well as what Paul did to save over 1200 people back in 1994. It is a very well made movies with many scenes of people being heroes. One very special character named Madame Archer represents all of the selfless Red Cross workers who put themselves in harms way in order to do what they can to help others in need. There are many scenes where Paul uses his bravery and his brains to protect others.
But the most powerful scene in the entire movie is actually the very last line of dialogue. I always pause this scene, fight back some tears, and with a shaky voice explain to them why the lines move me so much. Paul and his family are about to escape Rwanda. As they are about to leave Madame Archer rushes to stop their bus. She reunites Paul and his wife with their 2 orphaned nieces. Although this gets me every time, it is not the part I pause.
After they are reunited, you see Madame Archer, Paul, his wife and their nieces walking.
Madame Archer: "They said there wasn't enough room".
Paul: "There's always room."
Director: Pans out to show Paul and his family is walking not just with their nieces, but about 20 Rwandan orphans.
Me: I burst into tears.
The real Paul Rusesabagina
This is where I explain my theory that when Paul says this, he is not talking about room on a bus or plane. He is talking about room in everyone's heart. There is always room in our hearts to do the right thing. There is always room to be a hero. There is always room to do what you can to make a situation better. I then tell my students I hope they never have to be the type of hero Paul is, but even inviting a lonely student to sit with you is doing what you can to make someone's life better. And that is a heroic act.
Am I positive this scene is 100% true? No. Do I care? Hell no.
What is a movie line that always gets you?
