In the current political moment, it’s difficult to say what, exactly, it means to be an American. My relationship with my own American identity has been in flux for the past week – and, as such, it was with a complex array of emotions that I walked into the Lauder School carrying an American flag this morning.
My nerves quickly settled, however, upon meeting Colleen Bell, the American Ambassador to Hungary. Ambassador Bell spoke so beautifully about what she believes to be our core American values – liberty, justice, equality, tolerance. She went on to say that one of the most important thing for Americans to do right now is meet and converse with people different from themselves. She fears that respectful dialogue between those with opposing views has become increasingly rare – and that this has led to greater division within our republic.
I found myself inspired by Ambassador Bell and was excited to share her message with my Hungarian students. I spoke with them about the value to be found in meeting and conversing with someone new – and then worked with them to determine how many handshakes would take place if every student at Lauder actually met and conversed with every other student at Lauder. (We went on to determine how many handshakes would take place if all 2 million citizens of Budapest actually met and conversed with each other – which, for the record, is about 1,999,999,000,000.)
As testament to the value of establishing new connections, I was fascinated to learn from the students about political divisions within Hungary. Many spoke about their Prime Minister’s refusal to adhere to EU policy and quotas regarding migrants – and about a controversial referendum that was passed last month to this effect. The students perceived similarities between the current moment in Hungary and the current moment in America, particularly as relates to concern over immigration.
These issues stood out in my mind as I toured Budapest in the afternoon. I was walking around in a country that once had large swaths of its population wiped out because of hatred for difference. I was walking past memorials to individuals like Raoul Wallenberg and Carl Lutz – heroes who once went to great lengths in protecting people from persecution. So clear in this city is the importance of celebrating diversity and speaking out against discrimination of any form. So clear is the importance of helping those in need.
I find myself hopeful and stirred to action. It is incumbent on Americans – and on people worldwide – to do take Ambassador Bell’s advice to heart; we must actively strive to learn from and about people who are different from us. We must see the humanity in all people. It is also incumbent on all of us to remember the lessons of the Holocaust – lessons so stark in this particular city. We must be prepared to speak out against the persecution of minority groups. We must not allow ourselves to be apathetic to the plight of those who are suffering.
Though I didn’t shake 1,999,999,000,000 hands today – I did manage to meet many new students and colleagues. And through those meetings, I gained both perspective and inspiration. I’m excited for what’s to come as I shake even more new hands moving forward!
