Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Children victimized by hatred

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001 | 8:27 a.m.

We teach our children to read, sing, laugh and love.

Unfortunately, many children are also taught to hate.

I am appalled each time I watch a television report of a protest or riot and see faces of grinning children playing the game.

Look at the riots and protests all over the world and what do you see?

Children throwing rocks at tanks in Israel; children burning flags in Arab countries; children carrying rifles; youngsters caught in gunfire in the never-ending conflict in Ireland; and children marching for freedom in China.

Even in the United States we often see toddlers in strike lines shouting and waving their arms in protests they couldn't possibly understand. I often wonder what kind of parent would subject a child to the danger inherent in any kind of mob action.

I recall a visit to friends in Japan. The 13-year-old son of our friends was not at home to greet us. His father explained that the lad was "protesting." Protesting what, we asked. The father wasn't sure and thought it might be anti-American. But his son would earn what amounted to three American dollars for his participation. We later learned of many such incidents where protestors are paid for their work.

On a trip to Israel with a group who was there to dedicate a monument to late Sun Publisher Hank Greenspun, I witnessed a disturbing incident of adult hatred passed on to children.

Our bus was proceeding along a street near an Arab area when the tour guide yelled, "Get your heads down!" A large rock sailed through the back window and landed in Carolyn O'Callaghan's lap. She was covered with splintered glass, but Carolyn -- the wife of Sun executive editor and former Nevada Gov. Mike O'Callaghan -- handled the situation well. I believe she brought the rock home as a souvenir.

The rock throwers, most probably, did not have an inkling of their target. They were kids intent on doing damage, goaded on by adult bystanders.

Babies are brought into this world pure and beautiful. It's the adults who teach them to hate. A 12-year-old boy was not born with hatred in his heart. He has to be taught.

If ever the idealistic dream of peace on Earth, good will to all is accomplished, it will have to be through children.

They must be taught compassion, understanding and consideration for others with religious and racial differences set aside.

The Golden Rule, a basic tenet of all religions, is a good place to start.

Sun reader Frank Perna offers a bit of advice that could well be taken:

"A permanent memorial to those Americans and other nationalities who died Sept. 11th will be for eligible Americans to vote and be politically aware and involved. Protest without participation in the political process will not protect our freedoms. Our right and duty is to petition, question and advise our representatives in Congress to insure their adherence to the Constitution and to the protection of Americans against enemies, foreign and domestic. Their pledge must be: sovereignity, patriotism and liberty, forever."

Good news for friends of Vassili Sulich, who brought ballet to Southern Nevada. His book, "Vision in the Desert," will be released around Christmas. I have read the original manuscript and guarantee it is a wonderful story of a charming and talented man.