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How
can we make a peaceful world for our children?
BY
JULIE WIATT
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Carlton
Smith: "It's going to be hard to do because you look
at TV and there's nothing but sex and violence on. Right
now the president is talking about going to war, and children
are being taught that violence is the way. And in the
black community I think we have a long way to go because
the people have been taught to think a certain way, almost
programmed. I've spent many days riding my bike and trying
to figure out what to do. As long as the people who control
the money control what's going to happen in the future,
there's nothing we can do. I think as far as the war goes,
when they start shipping blond haired blue eyed boys back
in body bags then the war will stop." I don't know
what the answer is. I wish I knew." |
John
Carter: "I don't know. A miracle will have to occur in
the human consciousness. We're carnivorous animals and we
can be made sweet, to behave, like her [John's dog], but the
beast still emerges from time to time. People have been trying
to figure it out for ages. I think we need to know ourselves
and not sugar coat what we are. You know, peaceful means do
work, Gandhi and Martin Luther King demonstrated that, but
it takes more discipline and character than going to war does."
Ferial
Welsh: "Oh God. I come from a troubled country (Palestine.)
I used to believe, I think I still believe it, that coming
close to nature gives you a certain peace inside. I truly
believe people who are close to nature are less violent. And
good parenting, more time with kids, even half an hour a day
quality time will help. And living simply. Teach them to appreciate
the little things. Then they are satisfied and not greedy.
This is it: If you can be satisfied with what you have you
don't crave what you don't have."
| Naureen
Shahid: "If we live with love together and help everyone
and we are broad-minded and cooperative with everyone
and we have to look at other children like our own children.
We should live with peace so our children will live with
peace." |
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Jamila
Jackson: "Positive energy goes a long way. We could try
to exude our positive energy to others and respect the power
and importance of our planet and pass that down to our children,
make sure they see us setting that example. I think also we
could all try to consciously to develop a relationship with
God. Regardless of what our religion is, we can express our
appreciation for being alive. We could appreciate why we're
here and help our children do that too, without forcing them,
just guiding them. We could also influence our peers in the
same way: recommend books, inviting them to church or meditate
with you, things like that."
Gabe
Barouh: "We shouldn't use military actions to deal with
other countries' problems." Nick Brown: "We can
make a peaceful world by instead of going to war with Iraq,
trying to work it out without going to war." Gabe Fonte:
"Use our words instead of actions."
Doug
Bogen: "I don't have children myself, but I guess generally,
find a way to make the government responsive to the real needs
of the people, including a healthy environment, healthy quality
of life. Another point is we need to have more honest discussion
of issues in the media and that kids need to have a sense
that they're being talked to honestly."
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Karolina
Bodner: "I think it's extremely important for kids
that the adults around them are working for peace and
model that for kids. It begins of course with the family.
Family and classrooms should practise peaceful conflict
resolution. What kids often hear is it's always someone
else's fault. They hear adults placing blame, posing enemies.
It's important to take personal responsibility in large
and small ways. When parents tell the kids to be peaceful,
but don't model it, the kids never really learn to do
it themselves. We don't realize how much we focus on problems,
but we can instead focus on cooperative solutions. Retain
joy and humor everyday. Hold onto things that make you
feel more in control. Teach kids that they can't control
others' actions but they can control their own reactions." |
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