Sometimes the lessons that etch the deepest in our hearts come wrapped in thorns.

Sometimes, when we aim to put ourselves in the shoes of another and practice empathy, we can hurt with a pain we didn’t know existed. A pain we’ve not had to experience. 

This week, our Eagle’s put themselves in the shoes of the people of Ancient India, born into a caste system, not of their choosing.

Would they be in the Brahmin (priestly) caste? Or would they be a dreaded untouchable?

How would the other Eagle’s respond to their power and authority if chosen for the highest caste? Would they be kind and fair?

As our Eagle’s progressed through the challenge this week, they experienced what it would be like to have extra work to do because you were of a “lesser” caste. If they could miraculously complete their tasks in time, they might get to learn to read.

If they could learn to read, they could vote for a new governor. After voting, they could then write laws. Would they choose to “change the game” and write laws that benefitted all castes, or would they let the power lead to corruption?

Is this system fair? Should be people be treated differently, whether good or bad, based on where they were born?

We find our Eagle’s diving sincerely into these challenges. It was evident that some Eagles experienced the pain of being an ‘outcast,’ by not being allowed to sit with the others during discussion. Some let the power of their station go to their heads, wielding it recklessly with arrogance.

In the end, the reflection hit home with our closing question, “Do you have certain privileges because of the social status in which you were born? If so, How will you use those to change the world?”

If we want to ‘change the world’ and raise heroes who are ready to make a change, their horizons must be broad. They will need to practice looking at the world through different eyes, hearing different perspectives, understanding that their experiences are their own, and everyone has a story to tell. 

We hope to equip them with the eyes to look for the story and the ears to listen intently to understand.