Listening: A Life Lesson from Ambassador Christopher Stevens

Chris Stevens with a student in Washington, DC.

Many people across the US were shocked when Libyan Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed at the US Consulate in Benghazi. For me it was much closer to home, because I knew him in high school. I was three years his junior, and only knew him because I was good friends with his little sister, Anne. I doubt I registered much on his radar back then, yet when I asked him to be a friend on Facebook earlier this year, he responded quickly and warmly to my request. Because I spent so much time with Anne back in the day, my thoughts these last few weeks have been with her and the rest of Chris’ family.

Chris had an incredible career in the State Department, including his being sworn in as Libyan Ambassador by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. But it is clear from the postings on the Internet that he cared about individual people — both in Libya and in the US, both diplomats, and kids.  In 2009-10, he volunteered at Robert Brent Elementary school in Washington, D.C. as a mentor and reading partner.

I celebrate both Chris’ willingness to sit one-on-one with a student, along with his openness to people from all walks of life. In my ongoing quest to remind coaches about the importance of celebrating the differences in the student body without stereotyping or jumping to unfair conclusions about the kids, I was inspired by something I read about Chris.

I found a quote on the Facebook page about Chris (from Ms. Tami Muftah, a Libyan woman) that I posted on my Richmond High School WriterCoach Room wall: 

"Chris took the time to get to know us the Libyan people, he didn’t just sit back behind his desk, oh no, he went out into our streets and homes and got to know the Libyan people as a friend. He learnt the Libyan customs and traditions and respected them whole heartedly. Wherever he went, he greeted Libyans with a smile. He listened to them. He honored them."

This quote can remind my coaches to be open-minded and accepting of students who are different from them. Chris is a wonderful role model as we try to meet the kids where they are.

I hope that we at WriterCoach Connection can continue to honor Chris — just as he honored the Libyan people — by seeing everyone as a unique person who deserves understanding and acceptance. 

Karen Larson
Site Coordinator, Fremont High School and Richmond High School