striking picture

This Associated Press picture really made an impression on me-- it was the last one in "Day in Pictures" on the BBC News site.

The caption:

Muslim children in India shout anti-Pakistan slogans as they burn an effigy of Pakistan's spy service, the ISI, during a protest against last week’s Mumbai attacks.

The main reason this picture struck me is that I'm always disconcerted by little kids getting riled up about politics and identity issues.  Its like they're pawns of the adults in their lives, not even given the chance to develop the experience/ maturity to make up their own minds on an issue.  In this case, they (and their parents) have a right to be angry, of course... but that's really besides the point.  I read an article once about the ludic (playful, fun) aspect of protest and even violence, especially among young men. Maybe that rings even truer for kids-- maybe its fun to protest.  You get to make a lot of noise.

The picture also reminded me that I hung out with lots of impoverished Indian Muslims in Mumbai, and they had universally positive reactions upon learning that I was from Pakistan-- I remember being surprised by that.  Maybe these attacks will change that... does it mean I should be more discreet when I go back to India next month?