A school sociology project with a mission

The world appears to be growing darker around us. Everyday, it seems there are fresh reports of violence across the nation. Communities divided. Families at odds. Old friends turning their backs on one another. It is all consuming and threatens to eclipse the promise of our nation.

I, too, have found myself drowning in the abyss, but I have found hope from an unlikely source. I am a high school social studies teacher and I have seen the light and joy simple acts of kindness can spark in a community.

I challenged my Sociology students to come up with a project to improve our school, community, state or nation. They took this mission to heart and ran with it.

They, too, have been consumed by the creeping dread that current events have inspired around the country. Instead of disconnecting from the world or embracing the undercurrent of rage that is sweeping the nation, they have chosen to embrace their friends and neighbors and stand firmly against the darkness.

These students, only eight of them, ranging from sophomores to seniors have decided to promote positivity between their community and the school district. They recognize the alliance between parents, community members and the district and want to reinforce and solidify this bond.

It is a small thing. It won’t make national headlines, but I fervently hope that it will inspire others to reach out into the unknown and embrace others.

Offer a smile to a stranger. Hold the door open for someone. Share a genuine compliment with someone you love or admire. Each of these actions cost us nothing but we are all rewarded by the results.

Compassion can blunt hatred. Kindness can open hearts and open minds. I sincerely wish that everyone who reads these words will embrace the example these students are trying to set and bring their own light into the world.

Schuyler Snakenberg is a high school social studies teacher with 17 years of experience. He works for a small district in southeast Iowa.