Reading/listening comprehension - Our education system has failed us. Jonathan Glazer's Oscar Speech.

All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say, ‘Look what they did then’; rather, ‘what we do now,' Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. It’s shaped all of our past and present.

Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people,

"All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say, ‘Look what they did then’; rather, ‘what we do now,'":

Glazer is explaining that the decisions made in creating their film were intended to make people think about current actions and behaviors, not just to critique past events. The goal was to encourage viewers to reflect on what is happening today and their role in it.

"Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. It’s shaped all of our past and present.":

He points out that their film highlights the dangers of dehumanizing others, showing how this attitude has led to terrible outcomes in the past and continues to affect our present. The message is about recognizing and confronting the consequences of dehumanization.

"Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation":

Glazer is saying that they reject the idea that their identity as Jews and the tragic history of the Holocaust are being misused to justify the ongoing occupation. This misuse has led to conflict and hurt many innocent people.

He's not rejecting his Jewish identity. Instead, he's rejecting the idea that being Jewish or the history of the Holocaust should be used to justify political actions like an occupation.

"...which has led to conflict for so many innocent people":

This part of his statement points out that the occupation, justified by citing Jewish identity and the Holocaust, has resulted in violence and suffering for many people who are not involved in the decisions leading to the conflict.

The discussion extends beyond analyzing a single speech; it touches on an important issue in our society—the consequences of poor reading and listening comprehension, particularly around charged political topics. Misunderstandings can exacerbate tensions, distort intentions, and hinder constructive dialogue. Reflect on Jonathan Glazer's speech and the reactions to it, consider the broader implications for how we engage with complex discussions. How can we enhance our educational system to equip with the necessary skills to navigate these conversations thoughtfully and critically?