Permission granted: Change your opinion
I am now in my third year of working as the principal of a secondary school of 780 students in Beirut, Lebanon. Over the past month, the country has seen a revolution take place - an uprising of the people across the whole country, across all walks of life, encompassing all religions and sects and political persuasions. It is the first time in the modern history of Lebanon that the people have been united with one cause, one vision of the future, under one flag.
It has been a very challenging time for everyone. The school has been closed for about three weeks. On the days that we have been able to come to school, we have been working on reduced hours, without busses, with reduced student numbers and teachers unable to physically travel from their home to school.
Protesters gather at different points all over the city at a moments notice, shepherded by social media, chased by slavering TV crews, supported by most and disparaged by few.
The government has resigned and is now in caretaker mode, trying to navigate a way forward through the virtual and literal roadblocks that also appear at a moments notice, all over the city and country.
As the leader of the secondary school, and as a member of the leadership team of the entire school, I have also been trying to navigate new and unexpected challenges. One of those is a challenge that students and teachers alike are facing every day - the ability to focus on their education. To prompt discussions between students and teachers, I created the video below to use during the homeroom/advisory session this week. To say it was received well would be an understatement.
As I write, the number of views of the video is approaching 7000 across Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, the school website and beyond. I have received supporting phone calls, text messages, emails, and face-to-face conversations with people within the school community and people well beyond. It seems to have struck a nerve. It has started conversations. It has started (and continued) people talking.
But of course, not all who viewed the video have enjoyed my message. One gentleman opened the comments on the Facebook post with the following...
What an offensive statement for this fellow to speak on behalf of the Lebanese people. And no, the future of Lebanon won’t be led by the rich (often spoiled) kids of private schools in Lebanon. If this speaker if honest enough, he would admit that most of the corrupt rulers of Lebanon are graduates of this institution. Hopefully, the Lebanon of the future will be led by graduates of public schools and universities to break from the corrupt past.--
-- Asad Abukhalil, Tuesday, November 19, 2019, Facebook
I'm highlighting Mr. Abukhalil's post because it is an example of what I think is needed more than ever right now.
An open dialogue.
One in which we are able to express our thoughts and opinions without fear of suppression, retribution, vilification, etc. One in which we can listen to the perspectives of others and then reflect on our own opinions, knowing it is safe to let those opinions change, grow and develop.
The responses to Mr. Abukhalil's post were immediate, as strongly worded, and as equally distant from the center, but on the positive side. Exactly what is needed! Opinions voiced freely prompting self-reflection and critical analysis of the issue.
As the country of Lebanon continues to navigate the challenging road ahead, clear, open, and frequent communication is the key to finding the way through the burning tires, the rising anxiety levels, and the uncertainty of tomorrow.
Similarly, the challenges we are facing at school will only begin to be solved by talking with each other, with permission to change our opinions.