A Little Child Shall Lead Them: Compassion Revisited

With all the hacking attacks recently, it was bound to happen that someone would try to hack Santa’s mail and share it with the world.

The text, translated into adult spelling and grammar:

Dear Santa,

I wish for everyone to have equality…black, white brown, gay, transgender and every other race.  I wish for families to love each other even if they’re trans or gay.  I wish for no shootings, no hate, and no racism.  My big sister’s name is Molly.  She used to be called Sam, but she came out as trans when she was 18.  She took hormones that made her look and sound more like a girl.  Luckily, my family and I accepted her, but some families are not like that.  People have killed their children because of them being transgender or gay.  I want that to stop and start the love.

Love,

B

B’s mother shared that her son is in the 4th grade and wrote the letter and shared it with his class earlier in December.

When he brought the letter home, I knew it was a special letter.  He tells me his teacher was crying. The other kids took it in their stride. It’s not a big deal.

–B’s mom

The mother, who is part of an “online support group for parents with trans* youth,” said she’s proud of her son, who has an older sister named Molly, now 20, who identifies as trans.

He’s obviously paying attention to what is going on.  He asks lots of questions and has a great amount of empathy.  He has a huge heart and has great pride in his sister.  We have had nothing but support from everyone but I know minds need changing and people need educating.  If I’m raising a young man to have a voice and to advocate then I’m immensely proud.  I don’t think he realizes yet he has the power to move people and touch hearts with his words.

–Mrs. B’s Mom

Last week’s NPR TED Talk show focused on compassion.  Here is former nun Karen Armstrong, on the Charter for Compassion:

And here is the Charter: