Thread by @aushamaki

Months ago I tweeted about plans to start visiting schools so as to talk to the kids about the importance of peace & the dangers of conflict. As part of my research I visited a high school in Sinkor, Liberia to see how/if they talk about the civil war in their curriculum.

Fortunately, when I visited a high school off Tubman Boulevard, I was lucky to meet with the head of the school and we had a discussion about the civil war and how they talk about it to their students.

It would've been easier and more convenient to record the conversation but it was an unofficial visit and I didn't want to spook him and end up ruining a rare opportunity, hence this thread.

Me: Do you talk to the students about the civil war? Is this a part of the curriculum or is it discretionary?

HOS: Not all schools teach or talk to students about the war, but here we do. Only by learning about & acknowledging the past can we avoid making the same mistakes.

Me: War is a very touchy subject and a certain level of delicacy is needed when talking to kids about it so what mode do you adopt when it comes to teaching students about the war?

HOS: For the young ones, the focus is on teaching them about living in peace and harmony.

As they advance in age, we slowly talk to them about the gritty facts of the war, events that led to it as well as how it has stalled the development and progress of Liberia.

Me: I know that there are 16 tribes in Liberia. Do tribal interests play any role in how blame is allocated for the war when discussing it with the students? I ask because in my country discussions about our civil war & other conflicts aren't as straightforward as they should be.

Depending on who you talk to, blame is almost always allocated to one tribe or the other.

HOS: There is no allocation of blame. It is important to acknowledge that the war was basically caused by man's greed and selfishness. We don't blame one tribe over another.

HOS: Now it’s my turn to ask you questions? I hope you don't mind.

Me: Please go ahead.

HOS: Do schools in your country talk about your civil war?

Me: Honestly, to the best of my knowledge, very few do. Most don't.

Me: We have a complex tribal dynamic that makes it difficult to have an honest & objective discussion about a lot of historical events.

HOS: Isn't history taught in your schools?

Me: It is. However, there was a slight pause in teaching history for a few years.

HOS: How do you mean?

Me: Well, a few years ago history was removed from schools' curriculum.

HOS: Why?

Me: I honestly don't know, but if I ever find out I'll let you know.

HOS: So these questions you've asked. You say they are for research?

Me: Yes.

HOS: Are you writing a book or is it for school thesis?

Me: No. I'm working on a program where I visit schools back home and talk to them about the dangers of conflict & the importance of peace.

HOS: That's good. I wish you all the best.

Me: Thank you and thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me.

Thread and pictures of my visit to the museum coming up later.