 May/Summer 2000 (XXXVIII 3) |
powerful message was given to the Yearly Meeting by middle school and high school youth on Saturday evening, March 25. Under the excellent facilitation of Niyonu Spann, director of the Green Circle Program, the youth shared their experiences with violence in their everyday lives, violence in school and in the community. So much of the violence is attitudinal and verbal, demonstrating lack of caring and focused on the most vulnerable in our society (the children who have lesser skills, the children who are not in the dominant culture, the handicapped, the lonely and the alienated). The shootings at Columbine High School were a rude awakening which raised up fear and many overreactions which have undermined feelings of trust and made schools seem like armed camps with guards and metal detectors. The young people pointed out that the media glorifies violence and that our government, through its actions, sets the example of justifying this way of resolving conflicts.
The young people eagerly wanted to be heard. Recognizing all of the hands raised would have far exceeded the time allowed for the session, particularly when the young Friends were asked what help they would like from the Yearly Meeting, their families, and the community to help better the situation. A strong resounding positive response came when they were asked if they would like to see Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops in their schools. This program and its sister program Help Increase the Peace (AVP especially designed for youth) were created by Friends as a proactive way to counteract violence and build skills in peaceful conflict resolution. This would seem to be an opportunity to move ahead in a very positive way to meet the hopes and desires of our young people, a much better reaction to current day events than responses based on fear.
For a referral, call PYM at 215-241-7230.
Stephen L. Angell
Kendal Meeting (PA)
Co-founder of Alternatives to Violence Project
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM