Peace Needs To Be Cool
by Shani
Abergel, Sixth
Grade
Everyone is exposed to it, so naturally some people will imitate what they see on
T.V.,
what they read in the newspapers, and what they are witnesses to every day.
It is better to prevent violence than to try to stop it.
Dentists tell you to brush
your teeth to prevent cavities so they won't have to fill the cavity later. People and
lawmakers all over the world realize this.
"How do you prevent
violence from happening?"
To answer this question, you ask yourself, "What causes violence?"
Guns are
definitely something used in acts of violence, but just about anything will do. Bare hands
are often the weapon.
What we have to do is work together as a community and make violence
wrong. Not tolerated. A bad choice. No. Nix.
We've got to find a better solution than jails, and we've got to do it now. It's not
something that can wait.
The message "Violence is wrong" has got to be
everywhere you look — on T.V., on street signs, buses, radio — in every kind of
language — English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Creole, you name it — so that it
can reach all kinds of people.
Peace needs to be cool. Violence needs to be labeled as
nerdy and uncool. It can't be machismo and toughness.
We can reach people in all kinds of ways.
Little reminders that "Violence is
wrong" can show up in any way, shape or form.
Chain letters, a million dollars to
anyone who can make a video showing 30 acts of kindness using different people, flyers,
newspaper ads, contests in schools, a free T.V. ad to the most peace-loving company, and
much more.
To do this, lots of people have to be willing to work together and break the
cycle.
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