Are you aboriginal?

Yes. How did you know?

I told my mum that you were vegan and anti-vax and she said you must be aboriginal.

That was very offensive.

I didn’t mean to offend you.

Well you did.

Well I didn’t mean to.

No apology…but yes. 

Awareness of the discomfort he has caused. 

Regret and shame, oh I feel it. 

It radiates from him.

And for so long I wished away my sensitivity. 

I felt trapped and encumbered by it

But my sensitivity connects me to the other side of the story.

The wielder, the sword, the punisher.

And I forgive his ignorance, his naivety

I forgive his weakness

He is after all, only fourteen.

And I…

I am his teacher

If I cannot teach him to forgive, what use am I?

If in his world, labels are given so easily

Is it not my job to strip them back?

To create questions?

The best way to teach is to be still

To refrain from reaction

That way

You lay their actions in front of them.

They are taught from birth to play games

Games they are not even aware that they are playing.

What a powerful thing

To let them witness enough stillness

To reflect on their actions

That is how we create deep change.