Recently the story about the President of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski went viral. His actions in response to a case of school bullying sent out the right message, and commentators are calling this exemplary. Images of the President walking holding the hand of a child with Downs have gone viral. This may be posturing for the cameras as well – however, when heads of state do that posturing, it counts for a lot.
11-year-old Embla Ademi has Down syndrome. She was being bullied in her school and found an unlikely ally in the president of her country. The President walked the girl to school and the images have since gone viral. He can be seen holding her hand as they walk down a street. The President also spoke to the girl’s parents about the day to day difficulties they and their child faced and encouraged them to “fight for the protection of the rights of children”.
The fact that a head-of-state would make such an effort on behalf of a child is admirable. We Indians would also be amazed by the simplicity of a leader walking down a street like everyone else, without a coterie and elaborate security cordon. In the image, we can see other regular people also walking down the street – unthinkable in our country where roads are blocked for ‘VIP Movements’ and regular citizens harassed even when some small-time self-important politician is passing.
What is really important is the message that leaders send out by virtue of such actions. It stresses the importance of inclusivity, which should be a basic principle, according to the President. "Children with atypical development should not only enjoy the rights they deserve, but also feel equal and welcome to the world that naturally belongs to them - school benches and school yard," he said.
Bullying, intimidation, exclusion take various forms. We find ways to be around PLU (people like us) because our unfamiliarity and ignorance of other people different from us makes us suspicious and uncomfortable. This is particularly rife in school where children can be unkind to others they see as different. When an adult – particularly a leader takes the lead in being kind and inclusive, it helps shape people’s ideas and drives social change.
The inclusivity has to extend to all the weaker sections of society. The poor, the marginalised, the disabled and minorities have to be taken special care of and need special attention. Because these are the people with the least power, the least privilege in society and the least social capital. Social structures are created by and for the able and the powerful. For instance, look at our public spaces – they are unfriendly to the poor, and to people with special needs. A poor person trying to make a living by selling something on the street will be intimidated and extorted by the local goon as much as the local policemen. Even pedestrians find our roads difficult to navigate, imagine the plight of someone with special needs/ in a wheelchair. Their activities are severely limited by the fact that public transport is inaccessible and they cannot move around without the assistance of others.
This is why what leaders say and do makes a difference. When they rail against certain groups in society this creates a sense of resentment and othering - it divides society. On the other hand, when leaders speak kindly, gently and empathetically about all segments of society and act in ways that include, not exclude, they behave as leaders actually should. All leaders use photo-ops to promote their own brand – those photo-ops can help to send out the right message to society as well.
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