February 16, 2021
In response to the death of George Floyd, the principal of Lake Country, Minneapolis, asked the students to join their feelings with those in the streets by making signs and sharing them with the school community. Mathias Brinda, a third-grader made a huge sign that said “If you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” This sign was hunged on the school fence, but it went missing. It later showed up at two different sites- in front of a spray-painted image of Floyd and in the possession of three children.
Picture retrieved from Good News Network
The sign inspired the nation- at least the one who took the sign from the fence, the Black man who kneeled by it in front of Floyd’s image and the three children who held it up while raising their fists- and everyone else who read the story of the sign.
Wisdom and inspiration from the lips of children.
Story shared by Margaret Sergon, USA, based on a story originally collected by the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies of Ball State University, Indiana, USA.
More info here or at msergon@my.nl.edu
Related Articles
Colombia, Unexpected ways of strengthening community contact
Creative ways of intergroup relationships, Germany, Unexpected cultural events, Unexpected ways of strengthening community contact
