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"Why Are You Crying, Mommy?"
© 2005 Christine Louise Hohlbaum
Last week we had our own personal film festival: three movies in 48 hours.
Each one had a vastly different setting and cast of characters. And yet, each
film carried the same message. "187" about a teacher portrayed by Samuel
Jackson who worked in the Latino "ghetto" of LA; "Die weisse Massai"
("The White Massai") a true-story about a Swiss woman who marries, then
leaves, her increasingly abusive Massai warrior husband in the Kenyan bush;
and "Der Pianist", a 2002 Cannes Film Festival award winner about the true
life of Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Spzilman during the Nazi occupation of Poland.
America. Africa. Europe.
The underlying theme of each film was what happens when violence
and misunderstandings rule. It usually ends in death – of a teacher,
a relationship, or an entire race of people.
I was humbled in the face of these difficult films and the subject matter
they handled so beautifully. How do we raise our children to respect
one another, despite our differing opinions, social status or physical
appearance? How do we discuss these issues with our kids so they
do not repeat our mistakes?
When thinking about this overwhelming task recently, I cried.
My daughter caught me in the act, then softly touched my shoulder.
"Why are you crying, Mommy?"
I raised my eyes to her, speechless.
What could I say?