Peace Video

My Commitment

Throughout the semester, I have learned about different organizations and people who are doing their part to have a peaceful world. I believe is time for all of us to do our part, that’s why I would like to make a commitment stating that I would do my part to have peace. I have always believed that any nice action, no matter how small it is, always impacts someone’s life. My short term commitment is that every time that I have an opportunity I will help someone in need. I will hold the door open for someone who is trying to enter a building. I would lend a pen to a classmate or a pencil during class. I will share my notes with others. I will give rides and carpool with those who don’t have transportation. I will cooperate with others and will not judge anyone without knowing them. I commit myself to do actions like this to promote peace around me. For the future, a commit myself to do community service  to continue promoting peace, and recognize those around me that are also doing my part, by having an assembly in the community honoring them. It is not fair that all the people that are doing wrong out there are the ones who get more acknowledgement than those who are doing the right thing. I commit that in the future I will raise my family with values and pursue them to also commit to peace. This is our world, and if we don’t do something about the chaos going on, who will? It is our time to act and make a difference today.  

Giant Sepulcher

Everyone, (especially people living by the borderland), are aware of the heinous violence that is present in Juarez, Mexico. The city has become a gigantic sepulcher for all the dead bodies that are found daily. Authorities have tried to put a stop to the violence with more violence and many people don’t understand how that would help. Alfred Nobel (inventor of dynamite) would probably be the only person that would understand the concept of violence used to stop violence. His concept or theory was that if human beings were able to destroy each other so easily, they would be horrified by the idea of how easy and unreasonably they could kill each other that they would eventually stop their war. He knew that the usage of dynamite could easily kill millions of people and was sure that his concept was true. Therefore, Nobel would probably apply his same concept for the violence going on in Juarez. He might even supply the city with dynamite, to both parties, the sicarios (hired assassins) and the authorities. This would result into a horrific chaos because many innocent people would die for no reason.

            In reality, Nobel’s distribution of dynamite can be seen as an analogy of what Mexican authorities are doing. Many of the weapons that sicarios use to control the city are provided by corrupt authorities. This corrupt people are the dynamite that is helping to destroy each other on both sides. They have become the deadly nitroglycerine that Nobel used to create dynamite, which with improper usage and handling would create a complete disaster. Nobel’s concept would have killed many civilians that did not want to be part of the war. Nowadays, these civilians are being killed even though they do not participate in any drug related activities. If Nobel was correct, when will people be horrified of how easily they are destroying each other and stop? It seems that the violence is just increasing and sicarios are enjoying the power they are obtaining thanks to the dynamite provided by corrupt authorities. The violence has increased to the point that people across the borderland are being affected. U.S. citizens are being victims of the violence because sicarios do not differentiate between nationalities. Once you step in their territory your life is in danger.    

            In the news all that is heard are how many bodies have been found, how many parties of teenagers have been ruined, and how many families have been destroyed. The solution to the violence is not obvious because the people that are supposed to stop it are the dynamite that started the whole explosion. What is obvious is that Nobel’s concept is NOT the solution for the violence across the borderland. Now the authorities are not trusted by civilians because they do not know if the authorities are not more sicarios undercover. Everyone is afraid of going out from their house, but it has come to the point when people are not even safe in their homes. Because the sicarios know that nobody will do anything to stop them, they go and kill with no conscience. Living with fear of dying any moment is not the ideal life that someone wants. And the one million dollar question remains, when will the violence end?

Sicarios and drug dealers are spreading to other countries. Now members of los Zetas gang are found in the United States and Colombia. The violence has invaded Mexico and it seems that it wants to conquer more land. Now different cartels are fighting for power and the ones paying for that greed are innocent people. Nobel’s theory has been proven wrong and drastic action is needed to end it. It will come to a point when other countries will have to act in order to stop the violence like in many situations throughout history. But why are they waiting so long to provide help? The United States has reasoned that if Mexico does not ask for help, no help will be provided. But isn’t the obligation of one of the strongest militia country to provide service for peace? Is believable that U.S. has hold back due to the fear that if they interfere, the violence will cross the border. The end of this violent war does not have a clear outcome.  Hopefully aid will come soon, because meanwhile many have to live with the fear that today could be the last day they open their eyes.    

Killing at Juarez

This weekend another heinous event happened at Juarez. In an innocent birthday party of a 14 year old teenager, some bandits went and killed most of the teenagers attending the party and left others injured. Pregnant ladies were also killed and it was all because they were looking for one guy. I don't know how a human being can be so destructive as to kill innocent people that has never caused any harm. This were children who were barely enjoying life and now they are dead. Juarez is a really dangerous place and has no security. Many events show that innocent people are being killed even though they are not involved in a cartel or drug dealing. Juarez is being controlled by drug dealers and authority does not exist. I don't know how peace can come back to Juarez because the police and government who are the ones that suppose to protect civilians are involved in corruption. Wealth and power is the main reason for all the disasters going on. The respectable authorities are hiding themselves for the sake of their family, so there is no balance. Is unbelievable how all the deaths have become "normal" because we hear of them everyday. I really don't find a solution to the violence at Juarez. Some say that is necessary to kill all drug dealers in order for peace to rise, but we know that is almost impossible for that to happen.
Is really scary to think that we live right next to all that danger. All that violence will become a civil war which eventually will lead for other countries to get involved (US) and maybe that way it can end. All the military from Mexico being sent to Juarez seem not to work. I think the government of Mexico have not tried enough in order to put a stop to the violence.  

Seeds of Peace

Hatred between different cultures has grown through decades throughout the world. This hatred has caused non-stop wars throughout history resulting in chaotic communities. Many youth are taught to dislike others that are not from the same cultures, so the hatred starts to develop more as a tradition without having a concrete reason for it. The future leaders of the world have been focusing too much on this hatred, without realizing that they are omitting the skills necessary to be a successful leader. The youth are the future of the world, and raising them with hatred promotes conflicts between regions in the future. They are being raised with a close mind without allowing them the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in cultural differences and realizing that others mean no harm. The lack of opportunity to discuss differences in a passive way will also prevent peace to rise in these regions.

Seeds of Peace understand that the future hope will depend on the developing leaders that will one day lead from different regions. This is why the purpose of their organization is to help young people from regions of cultural conflicts develop the leadership skills necessary to progress in coexistence by building friendships and trust with other regions. Seeds of Peace reunite young people from the Middle East, south Asia, and the Unites States in regional camps, to provide a 3-week conflict resolution program, designed to open young minds on reality and have dialogues about their differences and personal experiences. The “Seeds” are provided with activities including, athletic, artistic, and cultural to explore other ideas and customs. Counseling is also offered to all “Seeds” because the organization is aware that coping and respecting another culture is not easy, especially if it goes against your own beliefs. After the 3 weeks, all “Seeds” graduate with leadership skills, lasting friendships, and knowledge of different cultures. Seeds of Peace also offer all graduates information about how to enroll, get funding, and test requirements in order to get an education in the United States.

In order for the organization to be successful, communication is needed between participants, volunteers, and donators. Many of the resources to communicate are found on the Seeds of Peace website. Emails are used to receive and answer questions about the organization or to inquiry about contributing with donations. Interested volunteers are encouraged to also email the organization to let them know about their desire to provide their service. Youth that would like to experience the opportunity that Seeds of Peace offers, can also email them to express their aspiration. There are videos and articles found in the website to demonstrate the success the program has had, and to show the activities that occur during camp. Links to online newsletters, Facebook, and scholarships information are provided in order for “Seeds” to keep in touch with their new friends and continue on with their education. A phone number is also provided for inquiring about the organization and to clarify how Seeds of Peace has eliminated discrimination and hatred in different regions for more than 77 years.

"Building Peace"

Peace is something that everyone wishes for. But what are people really doing in order to create this peaceful world? Mostly nothing. When people feel in danger, they respond in an aggressive and violent manner and they don’t really process their actions. In the video “Building Peace” from the Central Asia Institute, we can see that someone finally decided to step up and do something in order to create peace. When you help someone in need, in return you usually get gratitude and that person won’t try to hurt you because you showed that you don’t mean any harm. Why don’t we help others in order to have peaceful relationships throughout the world? This gentlemen was helped by some strangers when they could have let him to die. His response was a desire to help that community out and he did by building schools and supporting an education system for girls. That is an action of peace. We might not have the money to go to another country and build schools but we can always help somebody out in a daily basis. You see someone carrying grocery bags and trying to open their car, help them out. Someone who’s car got a flat tire on the way to school or work, help them out. Little by little you can make the world a peaceful place to live in. We all have heard this so many times but is true. I will not deny that there are people out there who will not appreciate your help and might even try to take advantage of you, but you are at least doing your part. Peace can be achieved one step at a time. Be peaceful with your family, your friends, your special someone, and strangers. You will find out that helping others is an action of peace. T he world is a violent and hoarse place to live in but why not try to do something about it? You don’t need money to do a good cause. Everyday provides an opportunity for you to help. And besides, one of these days you will be the one who needs help; wouldn’t you like someone to also help you? To maintain peace in this world is very difficult and might seem impossible, but it doesn’t hurt to try to do something about it. Seeing the big picture will help you understand that you can make a difference. You might think your actions are insignificant, but for someone else you were their hero. 

“An enemy is a person whose story we have not heard” Gene Knudson Hoffman (Quaker Peace Activist)

 I understand why people might agree with the quote above. Sometimes we have a conflict with someone because we don’t really know who they are, or there is some kind of misunderstanding. I f you don’t really give that person the opportunity to express who they are, you might falsely classified them as your enemy. If you see the quote that way, then I would also agree with it but there is a second part to it which I don’t agree with. There are many people out there whose story I have not heard and I don’t feel they are my enemy. Sometimes knowing their story is what makes them your enemy, I f you know that someone wants to hurt you, or someone else you care for, you automatically put them in your enemy list. It is of human nature to try to protect who you love and yourself from danger and having that list is a way of surviving. Is better to know that individual’s story and know exactly who they are so you know what they are capable of. There are malicious people out there who just desire to cause harm on others without having a reason or a story so they become an enemy too. Everyone has their methods to “classify” their enemies, and it all depends on which one makes you feel more secure. If you want to say that everyone you don’t know is your enemy, go ahead, there is no problem as long as you don’t cause anyone el se harm. You don’t want to become the enemy of the whole world just because you feel that the whole world is your enemy.