2011 Peace Essay Contest
High School Winning Entries
1st Place:
Nobel Peace Prize for Youth Awarded for Solution to Gang Violence
Haseena R. Abdur-Rahman, gr. 12, Prince George HS
If a youth were awarded a Nobel Prize for peace, it would be because they found a solution for gang violence. Gang violence is an international social problem that threatens the peace and security of everyone in the world. In the U.S. gangs like the Bloods and Crips disrupt and enslave whole communities with assaults, burglaries, drive-by shootings, robberies, murders and sale of stolen property. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that gangs may contribute to as much as fifty percent of the homicide rates in the United States.
On an international level, the PBS Special "Wide Angle "18 With a Bullet" examined gangs from all over the world, exposing their devastation and destruction of human peace and cooperation. In South America, gangs like The Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), from Brazil operates from within the Sao Paulo state penitentiary system using cell phones and a network of loyal inmate wives and fiances, lawyers, and corrupt officials. In only one week in 2006, more than 150 police, guards and prisons were killed by these gang members. The notorious Mara Salvatrucha, otherwise known as MS-13, formed in Los Angeles during the 1980s when refugees of El Salvador's 12-year civil war settled in Southern California. These gang members with the training and socialization as war refugees are considered one of the most violence gangs in Central America and the United States with over 50,000 members.
In Asia the most notorious crime gangs are those affiliated with the Chinese triads: Sun Yee On, Wo Shing Wo, 14-K. These gangs range from being highly organized, to street gangs, but exist in Taiwan, Macau, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and North America and are involved with drug trafficking, human smuggling, fraud, money laundering, and violence all over the globe.
When we look into Africa, we find that for more than 50 years, street gangs have been a defining part of life in the so-called "coloured" communities of the Cape Flats area of Cape Town, South Africa. Under apartheid, South African 'black' youths got involved in the struggle for liberation thus leaving gang activities behind. However, the 'coloured' did not have this new dynamic and quickly developed the largest homicide rate in South Africa. Violence completely suffocated these gang members.
Since the Nobel Peace prize is given only to those who examine and then find a solution to a social problem, a resolution to this problem would certainly deserve an award. So if gang violence is the problem, what is the solution:
1. Action! Action! Action
2. National and International Laws
3. Community organization from the ground up
Although poverty may be a contributor to gang violence, the real problem is family life - or lack there of. Many youth become involved with gangs because they are seeking what they cannot'
find at home. Then when they become involved with a gang they find that with all the fun,
comes a lot of pain, violence, loss and hardship - and then maybe their family life is not so bad.
So if a youth were to find himself deserving of a peace prize - then a youth can first work on building strong families. This is a cultural and human dynamic that impacts the world. Statistics previously mentioned reveal that gang violence is a worldwide problem - so is broken families with no hope of dealing with their issues of poverty, ignorance and demoralization.
This peace prize deserving student can start a grass roots program that teaches parents and children the value of family and then also teach the value of HUMAN LIFE. Starting with valuing those members of the family and then the neighbor, community and fellow citizens in your town or country. A Family movement - Family Net - where families agree to come together and make a pact for the moral sanctity of themselves as family. The Family Net can be something that starts in a neighborhood where individual families agree to be a part and then extend to their extended families and neighbors. Part of the Net would be counseling, anger management, expression and limits. The human beings needs limits - when limits are set then society evolves. Most cultures have a limit as to what behavior you can get away with before you are considered a person that must be put away. In this Family Net dynamic, parents must have limits, children must have limits - everyone must know that there are limits.
The student can form this initiative and then sell it raising money to help implement it especially in poor communities. Poverty is not a crime, but using the excuse of poverty to be a menace to the community you live - is a crime - and a lie. The establishment of Family Life can resolve conflicts in a non-violent way and teach people to act responsible.
Notice that the solution to the problem is not government intervention. The government can only do so much. People themselves have to take the problem in hand. If I as a citizen ignore gang violence just because it is not in my neighborhood right now, then I am doing something wrong because I allow it to grow and then before long - it is in my neighborhood. Gang violence is . definitely the scourge of the 21st century. Others may be encouraged to help when they realize that ignoring this problem doesn't make it go away - only helps it grow. The most touching statement against gang violence comes from a former gang member himself who on a website entitled, 'Gang Members Speak' said "As I look back on my childhood, stolen away by inner suffering, I am ashamed. Cause what did I do that was beneficial? How did I grow? What did I learn of honor, honesty, and independence from this gang life? The Kryz. (1)
What other values besides honor, honesty and independence can a Family provide?
(1) http://www.gangstyle.com/gangs gangster quotes.php - Gang Members Speak
*******************************
2nd Place:
Untitled
Torey Beth Jackson, Fuqua School, gr. 11
President Bill Clinton stated: "The real differences around the world today are not between Jews and Arabs; Protestants and Catholics; Muslims, Croats, and Serbs. The real differences are between those who embrace peace and those who would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who cling to the past; between those who open their arms and those who are determined to clench their fists."
Peace, by definition, is a freedom from disturbance. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to an individual who promotes this freedom from disturbance throughout his or her community or the world. As a youth who is concerned with peace, politics, and how the two are intertwined yet complicated to integrate, I am interested in diplomatically solving the world's biggest challenges and conflicts.
During the first semester of my sophomore year in high school, I received a full scholarship from the US Department of State to study abroad in Oman. I was incredibly excited to build and maintain cross-cultural relationships and understanding, as I live in a small, rural, Southern community where not much is known about other cultures, especially cultures of the Middle East. This amazing opportunity allowed me to learn much about Middle Eastern culture and politics. I also became quite conversational in the Arabic language, which furthered my communication abilities. Many had different viewpoints than what the average American possessed, and some had incredibly stereotypical and generalized views of other cultures. This made the misunderstandings in the Middle East become very real and important to me, as I witnessed firsthand that both cultures were extremely misrepresented. Intolerance and assumptions clouded the view of both cultures, further preventing diplomacy and understanding. The issue or conflict that I would choose to address for a Nobel Youth Peace Prize would therefore be peace in the Middle East.
Due to my study abroad experience, this issue is very personal to me. There is not a moment in the news that is free of mention of conflict or strife, and many of the problem areas happen to be in the Middle East. Since the beginning of time, the Middle East has suffered conflict and civil unrest, and in today's world, hate, intolerance, and close-mindedness shroud many peoples' views regarding the Middle East. The same can be said of many people in the Middle East too; many possess generalized or stereotypical views of Americans. This intolerance, misrepresentation, and miscommunication further hinders a peace process. Without understanding amongst one another, how can peace truly be attained in a region with such a rich, fascinating culture? Even amongst the regions in the Middle East, different views of people from different countries cloud views. Misjudgments are made, and hatred, fear, and close-mindedness spread, and these qualities quickly become a crippling disease.
The treatment I would prescribe for this disease is the promotion of understanding and tolerance through education and support. It may seem highly idealistic, but I believe that through education, peace and understanding will counter the terrible symptom that is misunderstanding. Sponsoring seminars throughout the United States on the Muslim world, promoting cross-cultural exchanges, building schools in war-torn areas that will teach a non-biased education free of hate, and promoting international dialogue, not fighting, to resolve conflicts are all small steps that are apart of a larger peace process.
Though these steps are challenging in today's world, I believe they are achievable and important. Knowledge is powerful, and with new knowledge, understanding, and tolerance of one another, different cultures, ideals, and values can be met with open arms and a curious mind instead of clenched fists and hate. With this new knowledge, the "ripple effect" can occur, in which knowledge from one individual spreads or "ripples" outwards, enlightening those surrounding said individual. This is also an important part of the peace process, as it creates cultural ambassadors in communities across the world. I became one myself after my study abroad experience, and I still value spreading tolerance and open-mindedness to those who believe otherwise in my community. Though sometimes my efforts are met with close-mindedness, the overall result is rewarding, and furthers the ideals of peace.
Mother Teresa, one of the world's most renowned peacemakers, once said, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." There is ultimately no need for such loathing, intolerance, and close-mindedness. As a human race, we are all one people, regardless of religion, culture, sex, or race. Discrimination and small-mindedness towards others is an unjust practice and only leads to conflict, strife, and terrible misunderstanding and miscommunication.
Unfortunately, there is no pill or medical treatment that will allow people to tolerate other views and cultures, so the cure has to come from within each of us. Promoting tolerance of others also promotes peace and understanding, which is exactly what this world needs today. Though the process may be long, wearisome, and slow, the end results are completely worth it: a world free of the injustices and blinding nature that come with intolerance, hate, and close-mindedness towards one another.
*******************************
3rd Place:
An African Dream
Uhunoma Clinton Edamwen Meadowbrook HS, gr. 10
During the eighteenth century, Europeans immigrated to America in hopes of prospering like they never had before in their home countries. Over time, the notion of an "American Dream" became popular in belief; the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity to become successful, and happiness for everyone are encompassed in this belief.
However, the "American Dream" seems to neglect one important group-the black community. Throughout American history, slavery, discrimination, inferior education, poverty, and violence against blacks by the white dominated United States have made it impossible for Africans and African Americans to experience this farfetched dream. As a member of the black community, I've recognized their problems and created a potential method to solve those problems. If I were to win a youth peace prize, it would be for enacting a plan that enhances the black society in the following areas of: culture, economy, and government.
While African nations already have well developed religious establishments and cultural traditions, the blacks in America have strayed away from their cultural origins. Today, many black teenagers live a lifestyle based off of hip hop and rap values. They're encouraged to involve themselves in sex, drugs, robbery, and violent behavior. In order to prevent the results of these actions, I'd form an organization comprised of teenage African Americans dedicated to improving black culture. In order to this, educational seminars and meetings would be held across localities in my residential state, Virginia to inform blacks of the true consequences of their actions. Additionally, I'd persuade blacks to join the cause by spreading the word on websites like Facebook and on a website created for my organization. My desired outcome for this plan would be a large decrease of incarcerated blacks, as well as more two parent families, less crime, and less murder.
A common problem that most African nations and African Americans have is their overall poor economic status. As a youth, I may have no great say in the economy yet, but I do have the ability to inform my peers how they can grow up to affect it as adults. In high hopes, I would hold meetings with my fellow black teenagers about taking education seriously and making goals to get into a four year college. Acquiring skills in a variation of areas would be greatly emphasized, as it's necessary to spread black influence in far reaching fields of occupation. To help African nations develop, I'd encourage professional, black businessmen and engineers to establish corporations by telling them how important it is for them to help their kind.
Above all, government reigns as the most significant element in people's lives. Many African nations suffer from corruption, which pollutes life for its inhabitants. Economy has a major role in producing iniquities, so improving it would have a direct impact on the government. By advocating a movement in which blacks learn professions, create businesses, and work in Africa, I would lessen poverty for the Africans because new jobs would arise for them to fulfill. As a result, human trafficking, robbery, and abusive government use of financial aid would come to an end. Also, I'd send hundreds of letter to African governments telling them to support their schools with government aid, produce more jobs for their people, trade with western nations to advance their technology, and establish a more democratic system of government.
Although my plans may take be a long way from being accomplished, I'd exercise diligence and a true commitment to implementing them. Promoting the advancement of the black community is a worthwhile cause, which would better the lives of millions of people. This cause is the creation and application of an African Dream, in which blacks may all live in equality to other nations in their culture, economy, and government. If I were to win the Youth Peace Prize, it would be for my work in helping blacks in America and Africa.
*******************************
Honorable Mentions:
2011 Peace Essay Contest: A Nobel Youth Peace Prize
Aileen Bi, Maggie Walker Gov. School, gr. 11
Achieving world peace has been added onto countless bucket lists, yet it is often categorized as a desire too grand to actually come true. Wishing to have peace in the world has become comparable to wanting to someday be elected president or own a pony. The general consensus is that the majority of us cannot be the next Gandhi or Mother Theresa, so there is no use putting in a significant effort towards promoting something as intangible as peace.
Well, I would like to challenge that notion.
Sure, peace isn't an object that one can hold or hear--it's simply a universal state of freedom from calamity. Promoting peace is the act of spreading the idea that we can all live in harmony with each other, that there is no problem so big that can divide one part of the human population from another. Even the cynics would find peace a noble and respectable goal. The main issue in regard to achieving peace lies in the fact that many do not know how they can go about promoting it. It is through active promotion that other people can buy into the prospect of achieving peace; the goal becomes defined, and the wheels are set in motion.
Promoting peace is much less of a hassle than one would imagine. For example, I would first like to draw attention towards the T-shirt I am currently wearing, which--by pure coincidence, I assure you--is conveniently relevant to the topic at hand. My shirt is bright yellow, with the word "peace" etched in large, bold font across its front. Below, an image of a panda has been cunningly created out of the circular peace sign, and the smiling bear is holding up its index and middle fingers. Through bright colors and happy images, this T-shirt serves to associate positive feelings with the idea of peace. I think this is an important component of promoting such a grand idea as peace. By wearing this kind of T-shirt, you become some type of billboard, effortlessly promoting the idea that a peaceful world is a happy world. Technology can function in this way, too. In this age of mass media, what better way to spread the word of peace than through the internet or the television? This method would be one of the most effective ways to encourage and recruit others to help spread the message of peace.
Simply passing on information, however, might not enough to change the world; a Nobel Youth Peace Prize recipient needs to be a bit more active and reach a little further than the rest. This recipient could be the leader of a peace rally, or be a peace speaker at a major event. But the youth often find it difficult to achieve such prestigious ranks. Instead, I find it more realistic that Nobel Youth Peace Prize winner embody the ideas of peace and strive towards improving specific issues that ultimately serve to spread peace through his or her community. Thus, in order to earn this award, it is crucial that the recipient be aware of the problems prevalent to his or her area and the kinds of people they affect. This person would have to be knowledgeable of the many different backgrounds and cultures that make up the community's population, because it is in this way that the person can present him or herself as relatable to the masses. The most important component is involvement--the Nobel Youth Peace Prize winner doesn't just know of and believe in peace, she acts on it.
I'll try to better portray the traits of a Nobel Youth Peace Prize recipient through this example--one of the issues that I think really stands in the way of peace among the adolescent is bullying. It's a shame that an entire school's environment can be threatened due to differences between students that cannot be calmly dealt with. Not only does the victim become unhappy, but he or she is also prevented from reaching his or her full potential. Thus, I would find it in the interest of peace to promote anti-bullying messages and projects. Like I stated earlier, a good peace promoter utilizes all of her resources; I would start up blogs and make advertisements that spread anti-bullying campaigns. I could coordinate events in which speakers come to schools to encourage students to develop a mutual respect for one another. Finally, I could use my status as a member of the school community to my full advantage; I would not have to preach to my peers, but I could endorse my cause through example. If I show others that I can practice my cause and get along with those who hold very different views from my own, people will find that they can, too.
Lyndon B. Johnson once said that "peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time." He said this because achieving peace is not just a lofty goal, but a worthwhile one as well; nevertheless, it cannot be completed immediately. A Nobel Youth Peace Prize recipient must be able to accept that her project goals cannot be completed in one giant leap, that peace needs to be promoted one yellow T-shirt at a time. Such acceptance can be daunting and requires great patience and drive; this type of person does not need the prospect of earning a Peace Prize to push them to do great things--the vision of achieving peace within the community should be enough to push him or her to action. I believe that the traits of a Nobel Youth Peace Prize winner are nicely summed up by this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it." Talking about peace versus acting upon it--these are the traits that separate a Peace Prize winner from the rest.
Achieving Peace
Sarah Turkaly Midlothian HS, gr. 12
My idea of peace is the image of children holding hands around the globe. While the picture itself is unrealistic, its meaning is something the human race has been working for since the beginning of time. Opposing groups have not been able to live in harmony because of disagreements and miscommunication. Peace is lacking within households and among nations. How can we possibly resolve an issue so widespread, and so seemingly ordinary?
The first step towards making peace is to remove peace. By removing peace, I mean to make it more meaningful. For example, you only need to go into one store at the mall before finding an array of items covered in peace signs. Earrings, necklaces, t-shirts, purses, wall decorations, furniture - everything seems to be printed in peace. By making peace such a common part of daily life, we are essentially minimizing it. We stop noticing the true message of the peace sign and see it as a symbol of pop culture. It is the same as reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day. The repetition of the same words day after day allow for a mechanical recitation, removing the meaning of the words and the patriotism that they should inspire. By removing the peace symbol from daily life and culture, it would become more noticeable and could revert to its true meaning - one that should inspire others to take a stand against violence and hatred.
Another issue that I believe is detrimental to the struggle for peace is the fact that all over the world, leaders think they can achieve peace through violence. Of course at times war may seem like the only solution, especially when others refuse to consider the morals and views of others. However, using violence as an end to violence is inexcusable. In order to end World War II, two atomic bombs were dropped in Japan. While Japan did surrender shortly after, the bombing only produced terror, destruction, and the death of many innocent Japanese people. By wiping out massive amounts of people, we became the equivalent to those who attempt genocide, the same people we have constantly spoken out against on the world stage. Ending a war by means of violence is truly only a temporary fix. Terrifying people into surrender is below our American values, especially morality, and makes us no better than the government or ideals we are fighting against.
In order for opposing groups to peacefully coexist, education and communication is vital. Whether there is a dispute between rival gangs or countries, education on others' beliefs would provide better insight into the "enemy's" motives and make them more relatable. For example, as Americans living in a country founded on separation of church and state, one would think we could at least be tolerant of the practices and beliefs of others. Sadly, this is not the case. We as a society look down on practices of other religions that we deem immoral. In many countries where Islam is the predominant religion, traditional believers do not see women as equals and even partake in honor killings if a daughter has so much as looked at another man. While I in no way support these actions, I think it is wrong of us as Americans to say they are wrong. Who is to say that their beliefs are wrong? What gives us the authority to look down on them for following their beliefs? Many people are shocked by these questions. However, their reactions only prove the fact that we as a society believe we are the best, the most moral, and have the only "correct" way of living. Ethnocentrism not only makes it impossible to empathize with other societies, but also blinds us to other ways of thinking. By educating ourselves about other world views, we can open ourselves to a peaceful ongoing dialogue with others who may not share our beliefs.
Of course for this solution to be realistic, all other societies and countries would need to become educated about those whom they see as immoral or the enemy. I think that an organization set up purely for the education of groups and societies about other cultures and beliefs would allow for greater tolerance and understanding, a crucial factor in achieving peace.
While the image of children holding hands around the globe may not be realistic, its symbolic meaning can be achieved. By recreating the perception of peace as something important and attainable, people will feel empowered to make a difference. In changing the idea that violence can be used to stop violence, violence will no longer be a solution, and leaders will be forced to speak and work out issues. By educating people all over the world about other cultures and beliefs, the world community will become more open, understanding, and more eager to start a dialogue about important issues.
Fighting the War on Bullying
By Kate Withers James River HS, gr. 10
Childhood should be filled with happiness and memories of joy and laughter. However, for minority groups, childhood can turn to a time of terror and sadness because of taunting and assault from peers. Bullying is a big problem in our society. Contrary to popular belief, experiencing physical or emotional pain at the hands of one's peers is not a rite of passage into adulthood; it is a growing epidemic that needs attention before it gets any worse. According to New Jersey's school system webpage, 282,000 secondary school students are physically attacked a month. In addition, 8% of students miss a day of school because of fear of bullying. While it is too late for young people like Matthew Shepard, who was beaten to death for his sexuality, or Christian Taylor, a sixteen year old from York County, Virginia, who took his own life as a result of bullying, it isn't too late to change the future. One way to prevent bully related crime is through education in school systems.
The first was to prevent physical and verbal abuse between students is to offer ways to solve problems without violence. If offered a nonviolent approach to facing conflict, students would not have to result to violence to solve their problems. Establishing a peer facilitator program in schools could potentially lower the number of bullying incidents in school. A peer facilitator is a student who receives training in mediation and provides a nonbiased opinion on how to make a compromise. Students engaged in conflict are more willing to open up to another student, as they are seen as easier to talk to, less intimidation, and more understanding than an authority figure. These students who are mediating may have also experienced a similar issue which makes it easier to come up with a realistic solution. In addition, schools should include problem solving in their curriculum. Students won't know how to fix their negative behaviors without knowing how. Problem solving is much more useful in the real world than learning how to solve chemistry problems. After all, isn't school a place to learn valuable skills?
Ignorance is one of the main causes of bullying. Ignorance is combated with education. Schools could easily offer assemblies promoting diversity and how people's unique qualities make the world interesting. Schools could also establish a curiosity about other cultures in students. By encouraging them to do their own research, it squashes the belief in stereotypes and generalizations. Students would learn to be more tolerant to other rather than prejudiced. However, kids and teens don't just learn at school; they also learn at home. If children see their parents speaking words of hatred and bigotry, they are bound to repeat it and spread the hate. Prejudiced children will become prejudiced adults. Because children are the future, if they are fed hate, our world will become a hateful world. Therefore, adults should be educated about diversity as well.
Finally, and possibly most importantly, schools should fight the war on bullying with hasher consequences. Many schools have a zero tolerance bullying policy, but don't always enforce the rules. Some teachers and administrators turn a blind eye to the problems around them. If students see someone bullying without consequences, they'll think they can also get away with it, and the cycle will continue. Teachers should be encouraged to step in and follow through with consequences when they see bullying. If schools don't have an anti-bullying policy, or don't enforce the rules, they should start as soon as possible to prevent future bullying. Most importantly, schools should encourage students to not be victims and to report bullying incidents which will break the chain.
Verity Ward, a nine year old girl said, "I just want the bullying to stop. That is all I ever wanted. I used to love going to school. Now I hate it." Schools should be a place of learning where kids can uncover who they truly are. Unfortunately, it's often a place crawling with prejudice and unkind words and actions. While we can't change what is happening now, we can change the future through education, harsher consequences for bullying, and nonviolent compromise. Through better education in schools, we can change our world for the better.