God Bless the USA | Salima Hemani | TEDxYouth@PHUHS

TL;DR

Educator shares the story of her family's journey from Uganda to the US, highlighting the privilege of education.

Transcript

hello hello hello I am very honored and privileged to be here today with all of you my name is Selma hman and I am proud to say that I've been an educator for the past 27 years during my very first year of teaching maybe there we go during my very first year of teaching 26 years ago I taught in a Middle School sixth seventh and eighth grade in pell... Read More

Key Insights

• 🗯️ Education can be viewed as a right or a privilege, depending on one's background and experiences.
• 🎓 Migration and immigration can significantly impact access to education and opportunities.
• 🥡 Education is often valued and appreciated when it is not easily accessible or taken for granted.
• 😀 The sacrifices and challenges faced by immigrant families can highlight the opportunities and privileges that education provides.
• 👯 The Pledge of Allegiance represents different things to different people, highlighting various perspectives on patriotism and privilege.
• 👪 Dictatorships and oppressive regimes can hinder access to education and limit opportunities for individuals and families.
• 🇺🇸 The United States is seen as a land of opportunity for many immigrants and refugees, where education is valued and accessible.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the expectations Hman had for her students during her first year of teaching?

During her first year of teaching, Hman expected her students to rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, which was played over the intercom. She never had any issues with this expectation until her assistant principal informed her that she couldn't require students to rise for the pledge.

Q: Why did Hman consider education a privilege?

Hman explains that her perspective on education as a privilege stems from her family's experience as refugees fleeing a brutal regime in Uganda. She believes that if they had stayed in Uganda, they wouldn't have had the same educational opportunities they received in the United States.

Q: What prompted Hman's family to leave Uganda?

Hman's family decided to leave Uganda due to increasing tensions and threats. Her father, initially hesitant to leave, changed his mind when a soldier recognized him as a customer and warned him to go home. They left with just the clothes on their backs and a small suitcase of possessions.

Q: How did Hman's family adjust to life in the US?

Life in the United States was challenging for Hman's family. Her father went from being a successful business owner to working as a stock boy in a grocery store. Her mother worked long hours at a Transformer company, and her sisters faced the difficulties of a new school and language. Despite these challenges, Hman's parents always viewed the US as a land of opportunities for their children and grandchildren.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Educator Selma Hman reflects on her 27-year teaching career and her expectations as a teacher, including reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

• She recounts the story of her family's escape from Uganda during Idi Amin's brutal regime, which led them to become refugees in a camp in Malta.

• Hman discusses the challenges her family faced after immigrating to the United States and emphasizes the importance and privilege of education.