OPINIONS

Knowledge is Our Job

by Sam Fields

Since the beginning of the school year, we as a society have been faced with a lot globally. For many of us, it has been a busy season both academically and extracurricularly. Between clubs, work, family, friends and so much more it can easily become difficult to keep track of what’s going on beyond our personal worlds. Most people our age use social media as an outlet to our immediate stressors. But despite the fact that all too often these platforms contain hate and misinformation, some of us see it as some kind of call to action. 

These days, we take the bits and pieces of a situation and hope to become some kind of “social justice warrior” by reposting things about events or causes we have no idea about. One such ongoing event that has been at the center of our feeds and news cycle for months is the war going on in the Middle East. That is the war going on between Israel and Hamas. 

In a secular public school, it can be unclear how to define the war… so let me explain it to you. On October 7th, the United States designated terror group Hamas launched a relentless massacre murdering almost 2,000 and injuring almost 10,000, taking hundreds of hostages into the Gaza Strip. This started from an extreme genocidal hate against Jewish people. It was not enacted under feelings of rebellion as some like to acknowledge. Hamas is an organization of violent beasts in the form of humans. Their war cry can not be legitimized. The bottom line is, we all have a job in the present moment.

This mission is to be educated. In psychology there is a term of “confirmation bias” which is our natural tendency to search for information that fits within our preconceived notions or beliefs. Trust me, despite my Pro-Israel stance, I still see a lot of what I don’t believe in- and that is your job too. You must end the idea that every situation is clear cut. In this case, it is true that Hamas is looking for destruction and Israel, despite what it may seem, is looking for peace. No matter what side you’re on you must look to the other for their insight. Maybe their ideas aren’t as bad as your preconception. 

Every idea is legitimate and justified, but you have every right to differ from others in thought and be your own idea maker. We must stop falling into the trap of “resposting.” Educate yourself about anything, and at any opportunity. The only way to ensure positive change for everyone is to do just this. Our only job at this moment is to know.