your mother and me, ask your sister.
— Why not ask me?! I’m sick of it. Why should she know better? At least these people treat me like I’m somebody.
His cousin walks in just then with a big smile on his face.
— I have to go, Dad.
K. puts down the phone.
His cousin pats him on the back.
— They were very impressed with you, yuh. Next meeting they’ll probably have a project for you.
K. feels the unease rise again but forces it back down.
It’s their problem. Not mine. He’s looking out for me and he’s already organised something for me to do which is more than I can say for anyone else.
K. forces out a laugh.
What the hell. What the bloody hell. I’ll find my own place in the world. Screw everybody else. Screw them all.
THE NEXT DAY. MR JONES’ CLASSROOM
Taffy Jones walks into the usual noise. For once though, he manages to grab their full attention.
“Okay. We all watch TV and movies and it’s got to the point where we can watch people being killed, shot, blown up without making us feel bad.”
Jack makes a big loud explosive sound and falls dramatically to the floor. The whole class erupts into laughter.
“You obviously get my point. But it’s just a movie, right? Okay. Then we sit on our computers and blow up aliens and tanks and anything that moves in our path. But it’s just a game, right?
This is my problem. War isn’t a game. War is the most un-fun thing that can happen in your lifetime.
Imagine this scene.
A family is at home eating dinner. John, come up and sit here. You’re the father. Vu, up here, you’re the mother.”
The expected guffaws follow him to the front of the class.
“Nick, you’re one kid. Harry, you’re the little sister.”
Hoots and laughter.
“You’re eating chicken, rice and peas. Nick, tease your little sister. Harry, start whining ‘stop it’.
Vu, you’re the mum, tell them to stop it. Ask Nick how his footy match went this afternoon. But just as you’re about to answer, Nick, there’s banging on the door. You can see the terror in your parents’ faces.
They tell everyone to run and hide, but as they’re turning to run, a deafeningly loud noise explodes through the room and four soldiers are standing there.
The soldiers grab your father. As your mother runs to help, your father shouts ‘Don’t!’ but it’s too late. One of the soldiers hits her in the head with his rifle.
‘I’ll be fine. Look after your mother’ are the last words you children hear from your father as he’s dragged away. The last words ever.”
The room is silent.
“That is war. In the old days wars were fought on battlefields or in the trenches. These days, it marches right into people’s homes. When war starts, it doesn’t happen to other people. It happens to you.
So war is not fun. But at times it has been necessary.
My question to you is: if you were faced with the prospect of war, would you think ‘Bring it on!’ or would you do anything in the world to stop it happening in the first place? Think about it. We’ll talk about it again tomorrow. Now if you could be so kind as to take out your textbooks … ”
THE NEXT DAY. MR JONES’ CLASSROOM
The boys are sitting down and keen to get going.
“Right. Any questions before we start?”
Jasbir puts up his hand, hesitates, and drops it quickly.
“Okay, then back to the Big Circle of Friends. The interesting thing is, this is not just an academic discussion. We are living at what could be the start of World War III.
And maybe the only way we’ll be able to stop it escalating is if all people around the world decided now to stand up for the rights of others. Anyone heard of the very famous poem written after WWII:
First they came … When the Nazis came for the Communists I remained silent. I was not a Communist … When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I was not a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out. Go look it up tonight. It’s worth reading the whole poem. What’s it saying? Jasbir?”
“Is it that if you stand up for your own rights only, then by the time you’re attacked, it’s too late?”
“Exactly. Yes, Christopher?”
“If you stay silent to protect yourself, they’ll come for you next, because you’re the next weak link.”
“Interesting observation.
Now, in Australia we live in a democracy with freedom of speech. Something we have fought to protect for generations.
Women have finally achieved equality in our society (he smiles warningly) … although I’m not sure you’d want to say that in front of my wife and daughters.
Democracy. Freedom of the press. Equal rights for women. Are you boys prepared to give that up or are you willing to make your stand right from the start. If you believe our society is doing things right … Yes, Tyler?”
“Aren’t you assuming democracy is the only right system? Isn’t that just brainwashing?”
“Interesting point.” Mr Jones pauses. “Look, I know nothing’s perfect, but … you know what … I’m going to take you through the various forms of government. If after this, you feel that we live in an essentially good society, one that you are prepared to stand up for, then you should consider joining the Big Circle of Friends. Now, go for lunch.”
The bell hasn’t rung yet and the boys look around confused.
“Get out of here. Go for lunch.”
They don’t need another prompt.
MR JONES’ CLASSROOM. AFTER LUNCH
When they all get back into the classroom for the second half of their double period, Mr Jones proceeds to discuss various forms of government.
They discuss tyranny and despotism, using Zimbabwe as a case in point. Benevolent despots. Democracies — focusing on the United States of America and Australia. Monarchies. The rise of socialism and communism in Russia and China. They compare countries ruled under secular rule as opposed to those under religious rule. Which leads to the question of freedom of religion, which of course leads them to
