It’s all Fun and Games

Pundits, senators, and even the President of the United States have all called for the need to counter violent extremism, a vague concept if ever there was one.  So how does one counter an ideology?  Many academics discuss the power of state narratives. Examples of state narratives as ideology can include positing Communism as the ideal good or the ultimate evil, democracy as the ultimate representation of freedom, and the Qur’an as the ideal moral guide for ordering government. Regarding violent narratives, such as those espoused by ISIS, there there is a simulation of unyielding and uncompromisable [im]morals attached to guns and swords. Countering violent ideologies through state-led narratives is an ultimately limited strategy for the United States, at least in the Middle East, because of our status as a Western state; meaning that the United States will always be viewed as propagating a foreign ideology and Western interests.  What other avenues does the United States have?

Some academics suggest that we must improve the quality of life, thus addressing what they assume to be the root drivers of violent action.  The argument goes that people living in economic despair are more likely to turn to whatever means necessary to improve their lives.  I do not dismiss U.S. efforts to improve the conditions for economic growth as a viable strategy for countering violent extremism, however this strategy lacks the establishment of a pro-U.S. narrative and can be mistaken for U.S. economic imperialism.

In thinking about how narratives have impacted my own life and where I came to believe what I believe, I realized my world view comes from interactions with people.  My parents, religion, and community plays a large part of how I look at the world, however, it was my experiences at summer camp that drive my political compass.  My first summer when I was eleven, I learned a few basics about the Middle East. I learned about socialism (a bad word in my conservative community), and I learned about social justice.  I may not agree with all aspects of the ideology that this movement suggested, but I must admit that those memories and ideas are attached to the best summers of my life, and the core values of egalitarianism and social justice remain with me to this day.

This past March, I went to Jordan to participate in a psychosocial support program for Syrian refugee children.  Psychosocial support is a fancy way of emphasizing the need for support networks and emotional stability.  What we did was create a summer camp workshop for the children.  Amal ou Salam, the organization that organized this project, is dedicated to the premise that teaching nonviolence to children is the way forward for Syria’s future. By playing games, singing songs, and learning about how Syrians can work together to rebuild Syria, children can attach fond memories to these essential ideas integral to actually changing the realities on the ground.

By integrating Western volunteers with native Syrian activists, Amal ou Salam shows these children that there are people in the West that actually do care about them.  That a girl in the United States or a boy in Belgium would travel around the world to show them a fun day, to show that they matter, makes a difference. I saw it in their eyes. In turn, I was changed by a little boy with a hearing aid, who I think of as Spiderman (due to the face painting we gave him) and the most adorable smile I have ever seen; and the mischievous little girl who kept chattering at me so as to steal my whistle.  These experiences changed me in subtle ways. I now have a new and deeper understanding of who the Syrians are, at least a few of them. They affected my narrative, and me theirs.

Returning to power dynamics, as one must, all the fun and games that were part of the workshop will not completely wash away fear and hatred. While fun and acceptance can treat these harsh emotions, I do not suggest that every child walks away committed to a nonviolent approach and complete emotional stability.  What it does is attach memories of play to the lessons of nonviolence. In an incremental way, I can think of no better way to counter violent extremism.