This week, guest author and illustrator Christina Booth, reflects on the effect of global events and media broadcasting on young people to consider the importance of telling and sharing stories as a way to help navigate this challenging world.
I’m going to be honest. I’ve written a few blog posts for CBCA Tas before, and usually my biggest issue is choosing from the ideas I had. This time, as the deadline looms closer, I’m in a quandary. What do I write about? And now, I seem to be writing about my lack of ideas which is not what you want, nor subscribe for, and it isn’t what I want either, but what do we do when the events of the world feel like they are engulfing us? What do we do when life events swallow us whole and leave no time or energy to be creative? And the events of the world are very much in forefront of our lives at the moment. The events of today will be the inspiration for literature of the future. They say the victors get to write history, let’s hope the victors are the ones who are truth tellers.
I’m back at school, working mostly with secondary students. I have to pay for my ‘habit’ somehow, plus, I’ve missed it, some of it at least, especially interacting and engaging with students. It has made me think deeply about how we encourage them, lift them and support them as they try to make sense of this insane world and the crazy humans who appear to be in control. We are watching a generation grow up in and through the tail-end of a world-wide pandemic, the threat of war in numerous places on the planet, escalating wars that are decimating entire cultures and societies, projected twenty-four seven across the globe. If we are fearful of our future, how does our fear, anger, and anxiety feed to the younger generation, and how do we guide them through it without condescending their genuine fears and reactions. I often catch conversations in the classroom and on yard duty about what was in the news, about why should we be in school anymore if the world won’t exist when they are adults. It takes me back to the eighties, when we feared the ‘big button’ and were convinced as youth we needed to live now, be reckless, because there might be no tomorrow.
When I work in schools as an author, I am discussing ways we can build bridges within school communities, families, and society with story. With story we can make connections, build friendships, and at the least, an understanding of each other’s differences. The adults in power seem to have forgotten this, have no respect for other people’s stories or the uniqueness of them. I believe encouraging our young people to tell their stories, in whatever format they feel able to, will open a pathway through, and enable us to look ahead to a brighter future. To let children feel heard, be empowered to find a language to express their fears, will help them through the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
Stories are the future builders, the foundation of humanity, and if we keep them alive, we will make our way through together.
In some ways, we are telling stories in the dark, like in the European bunkers and underground of World War 2. These are the things we turn to when life becomes hard. Even if we are unable to write or tell our own story for whatever reason, we can still engage in the stories of others and continue to connect and grow and heal. We can begin to empower ourselves and each other to continue to look forward to the light, which is illuminated by stories. These stories will be in our future, and we will carry them forward. So, while I wait for things to settle in life, for the world to stop being such a loud and crazy place, I will write my stories in the dark. I will listen to your stories and those of people around me, especially our students and children. I encourage you to continue to help our youth to find a way and feel some hope. The books are there, stories of hope and resilience are everywhere.
And for us, the adults in their lives, stories shared, books, music, art, will help them find their way to find a safe place to escape, to read, write, sing, dance, perform, play, and feel heard. To know there is a future, and their story will be an important part of it.
What books, or stories through other forms of art are helping you through these times? What are you sharing with the young people in your lives?
Stay safe, take care, read, listen, and look to the light.
Christina Booth, author.
W: https://www.christinabooth.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/Christina-Booth-Books-100042555798978/
I: https://www.instagram.com/christinaboothillustration/
Editor’s note: These wise words resonate for me as an adult whose own reading plays a critical role in helping me find balance and calm.
