Carl Wilkens Touches Minds and Hearts
During an extended stay in the San Francisco Bay Area in February, upstander and long-time friend of Facing History and Ourselves Carl Wilkens captivated more than a thousand students and adults as he visited five schools. Mr. Wilkens was the only American who chose to stay in Rwanda through the 1994 genocide, and was able to save over 200 children living in an orphanage in Kigali during the conflict.
Formerly the pastor at Milo Adventist Academy, a boarding school in Days Creek, Oregon, Wilkens now lectures widely and is finishing his book on his experience in Rwanda. Carl Wilkens was featured in Frontline's 'Ghosts of Rwanda' and an American Radio Works documentary which aired on National Public Radio, ‘The Few Who Stayed: Defying Genocide.' As it says on his own website, Carl's 'story reminds us of the profound connection between history and the moral choices we face each day. It also arms us with new insights in the fight against genocide along with tools and inspiration for re-evaluating the relationships we are part of every day.'
During his visit to the Bay Area, Carl built on the strong Facing History and Ourselves curricula that students have been studying in San Francisco Bay Area schools. For example, at Logan High School in Union City, Stephanie Papas, who hosted Carl in her home during his stay, teaches about the Holocaust as well as other more contemporary genocides, including Rwanda and Darfur. Wendy Garner at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton also hosted Carl, who spoke to more than 80 students and adults in a special evening program. The students in Alicia Dorosin's class (see photo above) at San Lorenzo High School and Heather Washington's class at St. Francis High School in Mountain View also engaged Carl in discussions about the role of the upstander, through stories of his experience in Rwanda, a stunning slide presentation, and an eye-popping use of Google Earth to show the areas he discussed.
At Notre Dame High School in San Jose, Carl spoke to more than 300 9th and 10th grade girls in two powerful sessions, supported by administrator Jan Tupaj-Farthing and teachers Katie Kuzmar, Paula Azevedo, Ruth Burson, Charlotte Carlson, Eran DeSilva, Rita Cortez, Ellen Collins, and Susana Garcia, who have created an in-depth interdisciplinary Facing History and Ourselves program through English, History, Art, and Religious Studies. Before speaking to the first group of girls at Notre Dame, Carl and Teresa were greeted with an enthusiastic standing ovation.
Facing History Program Associate Mark Davis notes that 'Carl is the real deal. Not only does he have a story unlike any other I have ever heard, and not only is he one of the most powerful upstanders I've ever met - he also has a warmth and infectious sense of humor that disarms and informs. Carl Wilkens makes us feel better about the possibilities of humanity and hope for the future.'
