Article December 10, 1984 Issue

Healing international tension

SUSAN FERINGER

Global transportation and communication systems have brought mankind into closer contact than ever before in human history. Increasing interdependence has come to characterize national and international relations. Most people recognize these facts, yet progress in achieving mutual understanding seems painfully slow. Regional conflicts and superpower threats of nuclear annihilation still are with us.

As individuals, we can do something to help lessen international tension and improve global communication. We can pray. A young teacher learned this when confronted with a disturbing classroom situation.

She was a new teacher in an international school and had several nationalities of students in one class. These students represented countries whose political and ideological beliefs were quite divergent. One day during a discussion of news that dealt with a particularly sensitive international issue, she found her own national prejudices had taken precedence over her ability to think and comment objectively. The students sensed her emotional state and quickly took advantage of it. Soon strong, hate-filled feelings were being expressed in the comments exchanged among class members. A constructive learning atmosphere had ceased to exist.

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